The Linux kernel currently relies on the "applesmc" driver to manage system functions on older Intel-based Macs, but this legacy component is widely considered a large monolithic mess that is difficult to maintain. To address these limitations, open-source developer Atharva Tiwari has initiated work to adapt the modern "macsmc" driver, which was originally developed for Apple Silicon devices, to function effectively on Intel hardware.
The existing applesmc driver consolidates fan control, various sensors, light detection, motion sensing, and keyboard backlighting into a single file with a unique communication method. This structure makes it challenging to extend the code or add support for new machines. In contrast, the proposed update leverages the fact that the System Management Controller (SMC) operates similarly on both Intel and Apple Silicon platforms, differing primarily in how the software communicates with the hardware.
Tiwari submitted a Request for Comments (RFC) patch series on Thursday to integrate Intel Mac support into the macsmc drivers. This approach allows developers to share a significant portion of the codebase written for the Asahi Linux project on Apple Silicon while only modifying the specific interface required to talk to the SMC on Intel systems. The code is currently undergoing review, offering potential improvements for users running Linux on older Intel-powered Apple devices.
Sources: Phoronix.