T2 Linux Restores XAA In Xorg, Making 2D Graphics Fast Again
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by EditorDavidFebruary 22, 2026
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Berlin-based T2 Linux developer René Rebe has announced a significant advancement in their Xorg display server by restoring the XAA (X Acceleration Architecture), which brings hardware-based 2D acceleration to older graphics cards that were previously reliant on software rendering. This development marks a major improvement for users of vintage and retro systems, as it enables smoother window movement, lower CPU usage, and proper 24-bit color framebuffer support. The restoration of XAA addresses a long-standing issue where many older GPUs were underutilized due to upstream projects abandoning hardware acceleration in favor of software-based solutions.
The XAA restoration project by T2 Linux specifically targets fixed-function GPUs that were once common in classic systems but had fallen out of favor as newer technologies emerged. By reviving XAA, the team has breathe new life into older hardware, including models like the ATI Mach-64 and Rage-128, SiS, Trident, Cirrus, Matrox Millennium/G450, Permedia2, Tseng ET6000, and even the Sun Creator/Elite 3
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Originally published on Slashdot on 2/22/2026