The first steps closer to Linux on Qualcomm-powered laptops from HP, Asus, and Lenovo could make for a better-performing experience than Windows 10. In December 2017, Microsoft and Qualcomm introduced a partnership to pair Windows 10 and Snapdragon ARM processors for extremely thin LTE-related netbooks with a 20+ hour battery life. This Windows-on-Arm initiative has faced several hindrances, with the primary-generation HP Envy x2 and Asus Novato criticized for terrible overall performance and app compatibility in Windows 10 due in large part to an inline x86 emulator for apps written for Windows on Intel or AMD processors.
Now, programmers and tool hackers are working to provide the right support for Ubuntu to ARM-powered Windows laptops, starting with first-generation Snapdragon 835 structures, just like the HP Envy x2 and Asus Novato. The aarch64-laptops challenge on GitHub provides prebuilt snapshots for the pocket-book PCs and the Lenovo Miix 630. Although Ubuntu and other Linux distributions support aarch64 (ARMv8) by default, diverse barriers, such as the layout and configuration of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, make those default settings not practically usable. The aarch64-laptop task builders aim to cope with these difficulties, although work remains ongoing. Presently, the TouchPad no longer performs nicely on the Asus, with all three missing proper support for on-board storage and WiFi, which rely on the UFS guide. According to their documentation, that is being worked on upstream.
Likewise, expanded photographs aren’t yet supported, but Linux benchmarking website Phoronix notes that the freedreno assignment should supply this. The aspect components are expected to be successfully incorporated into a working day-by-day driver “within a few months.” With that being said, it is possible that Arm-powered laptops on Linux could be more performant than on Windows, as open-source apps available through Ubuntu’s package repository will run natively on the Arm processor instead of depending upon an inline x86 emulator. Relatedly, Mozilla introduced a partnership last December with Qualcomm to develop an adequately optimized model of Firefox for use on aarch64.
The big takeaways for tech leaders:
An organization of programmers and tool hackers is operating to provide proper support for Ubuntu to ARM-powered Windows laptops, starting with first-generation Snapdragon 835 systems. This remains a piece in development, as UFS assistance is still being completed to aid internal storage and WiFi. Likewise, extended pictures will depend upon freedreno integration.
