[jka]

When people talk about Linux on M1, is that typically in reference to the chipset, or the entire laptop?

The distinction could cause confusion if Asahi Linux (which looks very clean and appears to be attempting to implement support for the laptop and all associated peripherals[1]) and Corellium (which has a bootable implementation on the chipset by the looks of it) have slightly different goals in mind.

[1] - https://github.com/AsahiLinux/docs/wiki/Tasks

[tubs]

The M1 isn't a laptop (and it's not really a chipset either, but sure).

I don't think the differences between the two projects you are trying to highlight are particularly meaningful. The vast majority of the infrastructure and code required is for devices embedded on the soc, not external (like a touchpad).

Asahi looks very clean because it consists of nothing so far.