Linux on Snapdragon X Elite: Asus VivoBook

Overview

• Running Arch Linux on Asus VivoBook with Snapdragon X Elite.
• Login as root; uses USB keyboard.
• New experience: installing Linux on recently released hardware.

Difficulties and Solutions

• Attempted to install popular distros like Ubuntu ARM (server version), but failed.
• Required substantial time and effort (4 hours) with a Linux kernel engineer's help to install Arch Linux.
• Speaker's background: Linux noob, long-time Windows and Mac user.

Installation Insights

• Arch Linux provides control but requires deep technical knowledge.
• The necessity of experts for successful installation.

Why USB Keyboard?

• External USB keyboard used due to lack of native support for built-in components.
• Machine has limited desktop functionality currently.

Linux on Snapdragon X Elite

• Recently developed; involves intricate steps and configurations.
• Example of Qualcomm's red laptops running Linux well.

Key Components

• Kernel: Manages system resources and hardware-software interaction.
• Device Tree: Specific for each machine, describes hardware for OS.
  • Must be manually programmed and upstreamed (merged into the kernel).

Current State and Progress

• Linaro: Company working with Qualcomm for Linux on ARM.
• Most progress on Qualcomm's red laptops, but not yet on commercial models (Samsung, Asus, etc.).
• Developer repositories (e.g., R64 laptops) provide guidance for specific machines.

Specific Issues on Asus VivoBook

• Battery monitoring, display orientation, USB ports, and built-in keyboard not yet functional.
• Ongoing work: Example of Schilling Wo's contributions to the device tree support.
• Similar issues seen across various new devices trying to run Linux.

Community and Development

• Developers need physical machines for better support and quicker progress.
• Advocacy for Qualcomm to support development by providing hardware to engineers.

Closing Remarks

• Comparison of Linux's development speed and priority compared to Windows on these devices.
• Encouragement to engage with provided resources and community contributions for better Linux support.

Further Learning Resource

• Tutorial on setting up a Windows development environment, including Linux under WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux).