Back in 2024 there were Linux patches to enable a partially-working Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G laptop that is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8xc Gen 3 (SC8280XP) SoC. Now in 2026, there are new patches for making that ARM-powered Microsoft Surface laptop actually working more respectably under Linux... Like a working display and more.

The Linux patches back in 2024 provided the basic support for the Surface Pro 9 5G so that it could boot the Linux kernel, but not working was the built-in display or other key functionality to actually make a useful daily-usable laptop.

Now in 2026, Jérôme de Bretagne has posted a set of 11 patches to update the Device Tree for the Microsoft Surface 9 5G (Arcata) to address these gaps. The new patches allow the built-in screen to actually work! Plus it fixes issues with DisplayPort Alt-Mode, enabling volume up/down keys, lid switch handling, and related adjustments.

The patches making the Linux DT support for the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G more useful can be found via the mailing list. They still need to be picked up by the mainline kernel but at least we are close now to having another useful ARM laptop working on Linux even if the Snapdragon 8xc Gen 3 is an older SoC at this point.