What is Asahi Linux?
Linux, as you might already know, is a free operating system that can serve as an alternative to Windows and macOS.
Asahi Linux is a version of Linux developed specifically for Apple Silicon architecture. As of May 2024, it works well on M1 and M2 Macs, while M3 support is under active development. But while it’s always nice to have options, most people buy Macs and MacBooks precisely because they want to use macOS. So let’s delve further in and consider why this operating system even exists.
What is Asahi Linux good for?
There are several use cases for Asahi Linux. The first one is fairly obvious; there are some programs that are available on Linux, but not on macOS. While no one should use Asahi Linux as their only operating system, installing it alongside macOS might let you use some apps you could not access before. Although not all Linux programs work on ARM architecture, many do. But macOS already has a reasonably large library of apps, and, of course, Linux is not as intuitive as Apple’s operating system.
Therefore, an average person will not find it beneficial to install Asahi Linux to access its apps. But what about games? After all, Mac computers have been dead last when it comes to gaming, and even Linux is better supported.
Is Asahi Linux suitable for gaming?
The answer to this question is complicated. The truth is that Asahi Linux has the potential to be better at gaming than macOS, since it supports certain technologies Apple doesn’t. OpenGL is the most notable example of this. Thanks to this, Asahi Linux can – under certain circumstances – utilize Apple Silicon hardware better than macOS itself does, and play games at higher FPS.
Unfortunately, however, this advantage is purely theoretical, because there aren’t any games to play. You see, while Linux has a decent library of games, Asahi Linux doesn’t. There are many games published for Linux, sure, but almost all of them support only Intel and AMD processors. So if you were planning to install Asahi Linux to run Steam and play its library of Linux games… you will not be able to do that. At best, the games will refuse to install. At worst, they will install, but will also crash at launch. Apple Silicon Macs are fundamentally different from regular PCs, and installing a different operating system will not change that.
In short, installing Asahi Linux for gaming reasons is not a good idea.
Is Asahi Linux useless?
With such harsh critique, you might be thinking that Asahi Linux is entirely useless, and that its developers should seek a more productive use of their time (such as a career at McDonalds). That, of course, is not true. While Asahi Linux is not useful to an average user, or even a passionate gamer, there are people who use this operating system every day. But these people know precisely what they want from it, and will not be reading articles like this one.
Better ways to play games on Mac
You should know, however, that there are several good ways to play games on Mac. Asahi Linux just isn’t one of them.
Parallels Desktop
One easy way to play Windows games on Mac is by using a program called Parallels Desktop. This program is capable of creating and running virtual machines that run Windows and support hardware acceleration. In simpler terms, Parallels Desktop allows you to install Windows 10 on Mac with just a couple of clicks and switch between MacOS and Windows instantly. So you will be able to run Windows, install Steam (or any other launcher for that matter), and enjoy Windows games on Mac just like you would on a regular PC. Generally speaking, you will need an iMac Pro or a Mac Pro to run demanding games. However, if the game you’re trying to run is old, or simply doesn’t demand much from computer hardware, then you will likely be able to run it on any Mac computer, including MacBook Air. When it comes to games in-between, it is recommended to consider your Mac’s hardware specifications instead of thinking in terms of its model.
Please note that not all games are supported by Parallels Desktop. Several conditions must be met for the game to be playable. Your Mac must exceed minimum system requirements for the game. Playing a game on Windows running through Parallels places additional strain on your Mac, so meeting them is not enough. Games that require DirectX12 are currently not supported by Parallels. Online games that use anti-cheat software may be incompatible as well.
CrossOver
CrossOver, developed by CodeWeavers, is a Windows compatibility layer for macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux. It enables many Windows-based applications to run on these operating systems without virtualization. Though compatibility layers can be tricky to work with, CrossOver in particular includes user-friendly configuration tools, automated installation scripts, and technical support. Unlike Parallels Desktop, CrossOver supports DirectX12 games. All things considered, this is a relatively easy way to run Windows software and games on non-Windows devices.
Please note that not all games are supported by CrossOver. For example, online games that use anti-cheat software, are often incompatible. You may check your game’s compatibility by using the official compatibility database, or by using CrossOver’s free trial.
Cloud gaming services
If your Mac is not powerful enough to run demanding tools like Parallels Desktop, there is another solution. Cloud gaming services will be happy to provide you with sufficient computing power – though not for free, of course. All you need is a fast internet connection. There are several great platforms that provide these services; the best ones are Boosteroid, Xbox Cloud, AirGPU, and NVidia GeForce NOW. Out of these, we recommend AirGPU, as it can be used to play any Windows game.
Conclusion
Although Asahi Linux is certainly an interesting project, it is generally not useful to a regular user. It’s worth keeping an eye on, but at the moment, it cannot do anything to improve your Mac gaming experience. There are other projects that can, though; Parallels Desktop and CrossOver are especially capable.