German company Tuxedo Computers has ended its project to develop a Qualcomm-based Linux laptop after 18 months of challenges. The decision stems from persistent issues with the aging Snapdragon X Elite SoC and ARM architecture complexities. Despite the setback, Tuxedo plans to release its support code to aid other developers.
Tuxedo Computers, a German-based firm specializing in Linux laptops, announced the termination of its Qualcomm-driven project on its website. The initiative, aimed at creating a device with the Snapdragon X Elite System-on-Chip, began with anticipation following coverage by The Register in October 2023 and mentions at the Ubuntu Summit in November. Tuxedo had projected a launch in June 2024, with a follow-up update in March 2025.
However, as 2025 drew to a close, insurmountable obstacles led to the discontinuation. Key challenges included the SoC's age—now two years old—with Qualcomm having released the successor Snapdragon X2 Elite. ARM hardware lacks baseline firmware compatibility with x86 devices, requiring significant development restarts for each evolution. Tuxedo credited experts like Linaro for their assistance but noted the intensified complexities in the ARM ecosystem.
The target model was the Medion SPRCHRGD 14, not available in the U.S. but purchasable in the UK at about half the price of comparable Lenovo ThinkPad T14S Gen 6 models, which cost $1,721 and offer Linux compatibility with provided documentation. Broader ARM issues, such as unupdated bootloaders on inexpensive devices, were highlighted, with projects like Armbian addressing them. Experiences with devices like the Lenovo ThinkPad X13S showed partial success, including Ubuntu installation after delays, but with missing features like camera support.
In a positive note, Tuxedo will upstream its devicetree and kernel patches, enabling users to install Linux on affordable Medion models, potentially with dual-boot Windows for firmware updates. Alternatives include ARM-based Chromebooks from manufacturers like Lenovo.