Leaderboard

If we compare the SKL framebuffer typically used on Skylake laptops with the KBL framebuffers typically used on Kaby Lake laptops, we can see how close they are in terms of memory settings and output ports definition: ID: 19160000, STOLEN: 34 MB, FBMEM: 21 MB, VRAM: 1536 MB, Flags: 0x0000090F TOTAL STOLEN: 56 MB, TOTAL CURSOR: 1 MB (1572864 bytes), MAX STOLEN: 124 MB, MAX OVERALL: 125 MB (131608576 bytes) Model name: Intel HD Graphics SKL CRB Camellia: CamelliaDisabled (0), Freq: 1388 Hz, FreqMax: 1388 Hz Mobile: 1, PipeCount: 3, PortCount: 3, FBMemoryCount: 3 [0] busId: 0x00, pipe: 8, type: 0x00000002, flags: 0x00000098 - ConnectorLVDS [1] busId: 0x05, pipe: 9, type: 0x00000400, flags: 0x00000187 - ConnectorDP [2] busId: 0x04, pipe: 10, type: 0x00000400, flags: 0x00000187 - ConnectorDP 00000800 02000000 98000000 01050900 00040000 87010000 02040A00 00040000 87010000 KBL framebuffer 0x59160000: ID: 59160000, STOLEN: 34 MB, FBMEM: 0 bytes, VRAM: 1536 MB, Flags: 0x00000B0B TOTAL STOLEN: 35 MB, TOTAL CURSOR: 1 MB (1572864 bytes), MAX STOLEN: 103 MB, MAX OVERALL: 104 MB (109588480 bytes) Model name: Intel HD Graphics KBL CRB Camellia: CamelliaDisabled (0), Freq: 1388 Hz, FreqMax: 1388 Hz Mobile: 1, PipeCount: 3, PortCount: 3, FBMemoryCount: 3 [0] busId: 0x00, pipe: 8, type: 0x00000002, flags: 0x00000098 - ConnectorLVDS [1] busId: 0x05, pipe: 9, type: 0x00000400, flags: 0x00000187 - ConnectorDP [2] busId: 0x04, pipe: 10, type: 0x00000800, flags: 0x00000187 - ConnectorHDMI 00000800 02000000 98000000 01050900 00040000 87010000 02040A00 00080000 87010000 KBL framebuffer 0x591B0000: ID: 591B0000, STOLEN: 38 MB, FBMEM: 21 MB, VRAM: 1536 MB, Flags: 0x0000130B TOTAL STOLEN: 39 MB, TOTAL CURSOR: 1 MB (1572864 bytes), MAX STOLEN: 136 MB, MAX OVERALL: 137 MB (144191488 bytes) Model name: Intel HD Graphics KBL CRB Camellia: CamelliaDisabled (0), Freq: 1388 Hz, FreqMax: 1388 Hz Mobile: 1, PipeCount: 3, PortCount: 3, FBMemoryCount: 3 [0] busId: 0x00, pipe: 8, type: 0x00000002, flags: 0x00000098 - ConnectorLVDS [2] busId: 0x04, pipe: 10, type: 0x00000800, flags: 0x00000187 - ConnectorHDMI [3] busId: 0x06, pipe: 10, type: 0x00000400, flags: 0x00000187 - ConnectorDP 00000800 02000000 98000000 02040A00 00080000 87010000 03060A00 00040000 87010000 With KBL 0x59160000, only the FBMEM settings (21MB vs. 0MB) + 3rd port type (DP vs. HDMI) differ and, if need be, we can easily inject that through properties injection in the bootloader's config. With KBL 0x591B0000, only the external output ports definition (HDMI + DP) differ and, if need be, we can easily inject that through properties injection in the bootloader's config. I've also experimented with the SKL injector posted by PMHeart here at IM; the E7270 certainly appears to run Ventura much more stable but graphics defects are, imo, worse, especially in Safari. On the other hand, it's Ok with Chrome so I would recommend using that for the time being. Revised Clover pack #2 posted above.

'working on my Clover setup and manage to significantly reduce the freezes though not entirely. Sometimes, system still freezes a few seconds after reaching desktop. But it seems to run pretty stable most of the time. Graphics acceleration is acceptable at this stage though not bug free: occasional slow movements on screen and some contents leftovers after closing a window for instance. Or unrecoverable limping system of complete freeze after attempting to watch a Youtube video in Safari. But, hey, what can we expect out of a KBL framebuffer on a Skylake system? Other than than, everything appears to work properly on the E7270: graphics acceleration: Ok with some defects and reduced/degraded performance brightness control: Ok touchscreen: Ok HDMI output: Ok mini-DP output: Ok audio (incl. DP audio): Ok LAN: Ok wireless & Bluetooth (BCM9460CS2): Ok touchPad: Ok USB ports: Ok sleep & wake: Ok SD card reader: Ok Whether this ends up sustainable in the long run for Skylake laptops remains to be seen but you never know... Is it usable for the time being? Clearly not. Edit: Instant wake issue on sleep and HDMI output now sorted. EFI_Clover_r5146_E7270_13.0.b1.zip EFI_Clover_r5146_E7270_13.0.b1_v2.zip EFI_Clover_r5146_E7270_13.0.b1_v3.zip EFI_Clover_r5146_E7270_13.0.b1_v4.zip

As suggested by @aben at IM, I experimented with KBL framebuffer settings on my Skylake/HD520 Latitude E7270. I also updated all add-on kexts to latest versions (Lily & PlugIns) and replaced good old ACPIBatteryManager + FakeSMC by their VirtualSMC equivalent. This allowed me to boot Ventura b1, complete 1st boot setup and reach desktop; the laptop still freezes shortly afterwards so something's still iffy but at least I can boot and with apparent full graphics acceleration: I don't know about older generations but there seems to be hope for Skylake laptops.