With macOS 13, Apple has announced that Apple Silicon systems running ARM Linux virtual machines will now be able to access Rosetta for translating of x86_64 Linux binaries… In other words, great Linux x86_64 support when running within Linux (Arm-based) VMs.
This is a neat addition.
Contrary to Phoronix’s reporting, Ars Technica is reporting that it enables Linux running on non-Apple ARM chips to support running Linux x86 binaries, as long as the underlying ARM chip supports versin 8.2 of the ARM instruction set.
This is pretty cool news. Although to be honest linux was already home to the most portable software. It’s not like windows and macOS where x86 compatibility can make or break the platform. QEMU does this too, but I’ve never really needed it.
I suppose it could be used along with wine to run windows x86 software on linux ARM.
Given that MacOS has native WINE ports anyway, that just seems like more work for less results.
The123king,
Haha, that could be the motto for alt-OS in general. I do promote alternatives to reduce dependency on monocultures the retain more control over my devices. but there’s little denying that it’s an uphill battle.
Anyways of all the things I want ARM devices for, running x86 software was never one of them for me. Even for those who have a legit need to do it, emulating x86 can cancel out the efficiency and battery life advantages of ARM.
Rosetta 1 was supported in shipping operating systems by apple for 5 years. I don’t know if rosetta 2 will follow a similar life cycle or if there are more compelling reasons to keep it around longer this time?