The recent announcement that Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 laptops will support Linux has sparked considerable attention online. Journalist Zac Bowden shared the news on the social platform X, where it received over 130,000 views and 6,000 shares within a single day. While the news was welcomed by many, some users expressed frustration that Linux support was not available for the previous generation of Qualcomm chips, the Snapdragon X1. The current preview of Linux on the X2 is based on a custom kernel derived from Debian 13, one of the most popular Linux distributions. Qualcomm has outlined a timeline for broader Linux support, aiming to provide full Debian compatibility by the end of 2026, followed by Ubuntu certification with Canonical in the first half of 2027. These are the two most widely recognized Linux distributions among the general public. Asus plans to launch Snapdragon X2 laptops running Ubuntu by mid-2027. Qualcomm is also contributing its drivers directly to the Linux kernel—a process known as "upstreaming"—instead of keeping them proprietary. This approach allows for better integration and community support. The graphics components use open-source Mesa drivers, and the NPU, a chip dedicated to artificial intelligence, is now accessible. This means users won’t need a custom Qualcomm-specific Linux distribution to operate the device. Qualcomm had previously promised to support Linux on the Snapdragon X Elite two years ago, but that promise did not materialize. Meanwhile, Windows on ARM still struggles with performance on demanding tasks. In November 2025, Tuxedo Computers, a German company known for building Linux-based PCs, ended its partnership with Qualcomm, citing issues like poor battery life, lack of control over cooling systems, and problems with updating the BIOS and hardware video decoding. Qualcomm had primarily focused on Microsoft, allowing Canonical to handle Linux support. Now, by opening up to Linux, Qualcomm may be seeking to reduce its reliance on Windows, which is increasingly present in the PC market, even in devices priced under 500 euros. On the ARM side, Qualcomm is not the only player. Apple Silicon Macs have Linux support through the Asahi Linux project, developed independently of Apple. Nvidia has also entered the ARM space in partnership with MediaTek, with its GB10 chip used in the DGX Spark already running natively on Ubuntu. While Qualcomm offers official support, it has faced delays compared to its competitors. The Linux preview is currently available for users with a Snapdragon X2 laptop. For others, certified Asus and HP laptops running Ubuntu are expected in the first half of 2027. Those who prefer not to wait can still install Linux on x86 PCs with greater ease.