Linux May Soon Work on Snapdragon X2-Based PCs
If you're thinking about buying a Snapdragon X2-based desktop or laptop, Linux may soon be an option.
If Qualcomm has its way, consumers won't be locked into Windows 11 with Snapdragon X2 machines.
In a recent developer blog, Qualcomm stated, "One of the most-requested capabilities is now real: Snapdragon X2 Series is expanding to Linux, a third operating system alongside Windows and Googlebook." It continues, "This expansion gives more developers and partners the foundation to build agentic experiences on Snapdragon across a broader range of PC environments. Qualcomm Technologies is a top contributor to Linux development at a kernel level, and now we’re embracing support for Snapdragon X2 Series as a platform directly. We're upstreaming core drivers for Snapdragon X2 Series – including the Hexagon NPU and Adreno GPU – to open the door to developers and partners."
According to the blog, Qualcomm will first support Debian and Ubuntu distributions, with Debian support coming by the end of the year and Ubuntu support arriving at some point in the first half of 2027.
The blog offers another little gem when it says, "Our partners HP, ASUS, and HUMAIN are planning Linux support in the first of 2027, so that their devices deliver the incredible experience users expect with Snapdragon X2 Series in a new operating system."
That is big news, especially with more and more companies leaning into Qualcomm chipsets. Gizmodo also reports that Qualcomm is developing a "one-button installer" for the supported distros as well.
Could 2027 finally be the year of Linux on the desktop?
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