- Tuxedo discontinues Snapdragon X Elite Linux laptop after 18 months of development problems
- The first generation X1E chip did not meet the compatibility expectations of Linux distributions
- BIOS updates, fan control and KVM virtualization are not yet supported on Linux
Tuxedo Computers has canceled plans to release a Linux laptop based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite after eighteen months of development.
The company said the first-generation X1E chip proved less suitable for Linux distributions than expected.
Although video decoding is technically possible, many applications lack the necessary support and features such as BIOS updates and fan control cannot currently be implemented on Linux.
Virtualization and data rate limits
The problems apparently occurred despite significant engineering efforts, including attempts to optimize power management, firmware processes, and device-specific drivers.
The expected long battery life, a major advantage of ARM devices, did not materialize during testing, creating new implementation challenges.
Tuxedo also noted that virtualization with KVM is not possible on the X1E, limiting the laptop’s usefulness for workloads that require virtual machines.
High USB4 transfer speeds could not be achieved, reducing the performance of external devices and storage devices.
These technical flaws prevent the device from providing Linux computer users with the expected user experience.
““Development proved difficult due to the different architecture and ultimately the first generation X1E proved to be less suitable for Linux than expected,” said Tuxedo.
While development could theoretically continue, due to the rapid pace of hardware development, there is a risk that such efforts could result in an outdated product when released.
The company emphasized that the Snapdragon
If the X2 Elite fixes the limitations of the first generation chip, Tuxedo may consider restarting development on an updated laptop.
Tuxedo said it will monitor the X2 Elite architecture to determine if development can resume once the new platform offers better support for Linux.
No concrete commitments have been made, however, and the company emphasized that any plan will depend on evaluating the new chip’s capabilities.
Historically, Tuxedo has focused on the development of Linux-compatible devices, including desktop computers and mobile workstations.
The company also makes mini-PCs that run Linux distributions, demonstrating its expertise in designing ARM-agnostic hardware.
though snapdragon’s mouth
Tuxedo does not rule out future collaborations, but experience shows that expectations of rapid progress may be premature until new SoCs demonstrate greater compatibility.