Tuxedo Computers Halts Development of Qualcomm-Driven Linux Laptop
German-based Tuxedo Computers has officially terminated its long-anticipated venture into the market of Qualcomm-based laptops, attributing the decision to multiple complications inherent to the evolving landscape of Linux on ARM architecture.
After an arduous year and a half of development, Tuxedo announced via their website that they are discontinuing their efforts on a laptop featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon System-on-Chip (SoC). Nevertheless, there exists a silver lining amidst this setback.
The firm intends to release its support code upstream, aiming to assist other developers endeavoring to create computing solutions based on this technology. Interestingly, Tuxedo hinted that the Medion SPRCHRGD 14 was the target model for its original OEM plans.
This device was to incorporate the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite SoC, which was first covered by The Register in October 2023. It garnered mention as a prospective platform during the Ubuntu Summit in November. Back then, Tuxedo anticipated the launch of its machine in June 2024, declaring that TUXEDO on ARM was forthcoming, with a follow-up announcement made in March 2025.
As the close of 2025 approaches, Tuxedo revealed that it was unable to surmount a plethora of persistent issues:
- A significant challenge lies in the aging nature of the SoC, which is now two years old. Qualcomm has introduced its successor, the Snapdragon X2 Elite. Each evolution in ARM SoCs often necessitates a substantial restart in development due to ARM hardware’s lack of baseline firmware intercompatibility with x86 devices.
- This complexity intensifies particularly within the ARM ecosystem, even when vendors provide assistance. Tuxedo specifically acknowledged the contributions of Linux-on-ARM experts such as Linaro. Without their input, the developmental obstacles become significantly magnified.
- Coinciding with the launch of the Snapdragon X Elite, Apple unveiled its M3 SoCs. Two years later, the Asahi Linux team is still making strides towards M3 support.
In discussions surrounding challenges within the Linux-on-ARM compatibility framework, various pertinent factors came to light.
The affordability and energy efficiency of ARM hardware have led to a proliferation of inexpensive ARM devices, many of which are packaged with a particular version of a bootloader and related drivers, often failing to receive updates thereafter.
As elaborated upon in 2022, platforms such as Armbian strive to address these fundamental issues.
For seasoned Linux users, nimbleness in navigating compatibility hurdles is a common experience. Those well-versed in the Linux paradigm generally advise opting for older hardware and steering clear of Nvidia products.
A review of attempts to install Linux on the Lenovo ThinkPad X13S revealed operational success, albeit not without issues—such as the absence of camera functionality.
Observers will note the considerable delay between initial exploration of the device in March and the successful installation of Ubuntu by September.
Employing the Snapdragon 8CX Gen 3, the X13S contrasts starkly with the ThinkPad T14S Gen 6, which features the same SoC Tuxedo aimed to utilize.
Reports indicate that the T14S is compatible with Linux, and Lenovo provides documentation [PDF] to facilitate the process—albeit at a premium price point of $1,721 (or £1,165).
The Medion device, while not currently available in the U.S., can be found in the UK for roughly half the cost.
It is pertinent to note that many vendors of pre-configured Linux laptops often resell existing models from original equipment manufacturers like the established Taiwanese builder Clevo.
This practice remains commonplace, with Clevo maintaining a substantial presence in the industry since its mention by The Register in 1999.
However, significant disparities exist that are often overlooked in industry discussions. The distinction between premium offerings like Lenovo’s ThinkPad line compared to budget-friendly IdeaPad models is pronounced.
The FOSS desk, for instance, harbors an array of vintage ThinkPads, where hardware adaptation—such as keyboard substitutions—poses few challenges.
Yet, contrastingly, sustaining a budget model can often become a convoluted endeavor, often resulting in the need for comprehensive part replacements.
Earlier, a review of the Tuxedo Stellaris AMD Gen 4 noted various idiosyncrasies—its weight, thickness, and peculiar USB configuration notwithstanding—yet its mechanical keyboard quality was commendable.
Acknowledgment is due to Tuxedo for prioritizing a level of integration that maintains high-quality standards, thus affirming their decision against proceeding with ARM-based production.
Tuxedo has notably contributed its own devicetree and other kernel patches to broader upstream development, laying the groundwork for prospective users to acquire affordable Medion SPRCHRGD Snapdragon laptop models and install Linux (or OpenBSD) autonomously, with the expectation of satisfactory performance.
A dual-boot with Windows is recommended to facilitate firmware updates—advice that remains consistent within the tech community.
An alternative, more cost-effective avenue involves the procurement of ARM-based Chromebooks from various manufacturers, including Lenovo.
Google’s plans to amalgamate ChromeOS with Android suggest forthcoming next-gen Snapdragon models. As inferred from a recent Google job posting (archived here), it’s projected that this initiative may be branded as Aluminium OS (ALOS). ®
Source link: Theregister.com.
