Linux kernel 7.2 release adds Apple M3 support and AMDGPU updates

The inclusion of Apple M3 support and USB4STREAM in this release signals a narrowing gap for professional media workflows on ARM-based Linux environments. For the streaming ecosystem, improved AMD and Intel drivers ensure better hardware-accelerated video encoding and stability for encoding tasks on commodity server hardware. The decision to revert unstable DRM scheduling code highlights a prioritization of system stability over feature velocity, which is critical for high-uptime streaming infrastructure. Watch for the Linux 7.3 development cycle starting next week, which already has 40 pull requests queued to address the deferred graphics scheduling improvements.

Apple M3 chip support in Linux kernel 7.2 builds on a multi-year effort by the Asahi Linux project to bring upstream kernel compatibility to Apple Silicon. In early 2025, Asahi Linux developers merged the first Apple M3 GPU driver patches into the mainline kernel, marking a significant milestone for ARM-based desktop and workstation use cases. The project, led by Hector Martin and later continued by a broader contributor base, has progressively closed the gap between Apple Silicon hardware and Linux driver maturity, with each kernel cycle adding display, USB, and power management support for newer Apple chips. For users looking to leverage these advancements in creative workflows, Neotecos launches macOS VideoToolbox customizable encoders to provide more granular control over hardware-based encoding.