Similar to Canonical engineers having published " [1]Ubuntu Concept " ISOs for Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite laptops to provide the very latest hardware-specific support that hasn't yet worked its way to the mainline Linux kernel and other packages, Canonical has begun providing Ubuntu Concept ISOs for the CIX P1 as an "AI" focused platform.

Since 2024 there has been a lot of hype around the P1 CPU from the Chinese-based CIX Technology, including claims of rivaling the Apple M-Series and Qualcomm SoC performance while being affordable. The CIX P1 isn't a new ISA though but rather makes use of Arm Cortex-A720 and Cortex-A520 cores. The P1 has found its way into single board computers like the Mini-ITX based Orion O6 series that retail in the ~$200 USD range.

There has been a Debian-based image for the CIX P1 while now Canonical is producing Ubuntu Concept images to better support this SoC.

The Ubuntu Concept image is derived from Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and is intended as a developer-focused preview. The Linux 7.0-based kernel relies on out-of-tree patches from CIX Technology's GitHub. Canonical's hope is that ultimately all the patches will eventually work their way into the mainline Linux kernel.

Interestingly, the Ubuntu Concept image is aiming to use ACPI-based support for the platform rather than frustrating Device Tree files.

Platforms where this Ubuntu Concept CIX P1 image has been tested on include the MetaComputing AI PC, Minisform MS-R1, Orange Pi 6 Plus, Radxa Orion O6, and Radxa Orion O6N.

Downloads and more details on this Ubuntu Concept CIX P1 effort via [2]Ubuntu Discourse .



[1] https://www.phoronix.com/search/Ubuntu+Concept

[2] https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/ubuntu-concept-goes-cix-p1/82213