Linux Kernel 6.13 Offers Improvements for AMD/Apple Users
The latest Linux kernel is now available, and it includes plenty of improvements, especially for those who use AMD or Apple-based systems.
On the release of Linux kernel 6.13, Linus Torvalds (the creator of Linux) had this to say:
“It's mostly some final driver fixes (GPU and networking dominating – normal), with some doc updates too. And various little stuff all over. The shortlog is appended for people who want to see the details (and, as always, it's just the shortlog for the last week; the full 6.13 log is obviously much too big).”
Sounds like the latest kernel is kind of meh. But is it really? What can be found in this latest iteration? If your system includes an AMD 3D V-Cache CPU, there’s a new performance optimizer driver that will improve both the performance and handling of those processors. This addition was created by AMD in collaboration with TSMC and the 3DFabric silicon stacking and advanced packaging technologies.
As well, the AMDGPU/AMDKFD driver received a bit of attention by way of the AMDGPU Display Core, such that it will properly build on the LoongArch architecture. Another addition is the ability to enable the Zero RPM feature for Radeon RX 7000 graphics cards, so the fan will remain idle when the GPU temperature is low.
Intel also received some love with the initial display support for Xe3 graphics that should appear with the Panther Lake CPUs this year.
Other changes include atomic write support for both ext4 and XFS filesystems, support for many older Apple iPad and iPhone devices, real-time kernel support for LoongArch CPUs, support for Secure Digital Ultra Capacity memory cards, as well as the usual bug fixes.
You can read more about the latest Linux kernel from this mailing list entry by Torvalds.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
openSUSE Joins End of 10
openSUSE has decided to not only join the End of 10 movement but it also will no longer support the Deepin Desktop Environment.
-
New Version of Flatpak Released
Flatpak 1.16.1 is now available as the latest, stable version with various improvements.
-
IBM Announces Powerhouse Linux Server
IBM has unleashed a seriously powerful Linux server with the LinuxONE Emperor 5.
-
Plasma Ends LTS Releases
The KDE Plasma development team is doing away with the LTS releases for a good reason.
-
Arch Linux Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you've ever wanted to use a rolling release distribution with WSL, now's your chance.
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.