Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Dell is bringing Thunderbolt 3 support to Linux systems

By

Dell XPS 13 (Skylake)
Greg Mombert/Digital Trends
The Dell XPS 13 is one of our favorite laptops, but that’s only if Windows is your operating system of choice. Mac users have a whole brand just for their computers, but Linux aficionados are typically left out in the cold. There’s good news today though, as the XPS Developer Edition, which runs a custom Ubuntu image, will bring support for Thunderbolt 3 to the platform with the Skylake update, according to chatter on the Dell forums, as pointed out by PCWorld.

Thunderbolt 3 brings a wealth of connectivity capabilities to the Ultrabook. It works as a display connection, with support for a pair of 4K displays in a daisy chain, or data, where it can transfer up to 40 gigabytes per second. While current availability is limited, there’s even suppotr for PCIe, DisplayPort, and Ethernet over Thunderbolt 3. The impressive connection has already found its way into storage devices, high-end audio peripherals, and gaming systems and monitors.

You can actually buy the XPS 13 developer edition now, but it lacks the Type-C USB port that enables Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, and only has a 5th Generation Intel processor. Dell wants to make the new version available though, so it’s been working to include Thunderbolt 3 drivers in the Linux kernel, regardless of which distribution users choose. It even works with the current Skylake XPS 13, although Dell’s Thunderbolt 3 dock isn’t working yet.

Related

But this new feature isn’t just about making Dell’s laptop better, it’s a move that’s going to help Linux users everywhere take advantage of the newest wired connectivity option out there. Whether on laptops or desktops, USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 are going to quickly become the standard over the next few years, and Linux users will want to share in that bounty.

How soon that support is coming remains to be seen. The Dell engineer discussing the matter with users on the forum says the systems have to go through the approval process, but the Ubuntu image is ready to push. The Skylake update and Thunderbolt 3 inclusion will roll out at the same time, and hopefully the Linux update will roll out shortly thereafter so everyone can enjoy.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Brad Bourque
Brad Bourque
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad Bourque is a native Portlander, devout nerd, and craft beer enthusiast. He studied creative writing at Willamette…
Thunderbolt 4: everything you need to know
Dell XPS 13 2019 review (9380)

Thunderbolt 4 is the latest generation of Intel's Thunderbolt technology, and though it doesn't revolutionize the standard, it does shore it up in ways that make it far more of a high-performance guarantee than competing standards like USB4. However, the tech may not be all about raising the minimums. Intel has demonstrated Thunderbolt as being capable of far greater performance; it just hasn't implemented it yet.

Here's what you need to know about Thunderbolt 4 to make the most of this high-speed and high-performance connection standard.
Availability

Read more
The Dell XPS 15 has one major advantage over the MacBook Pro
The screen of the 2021 MacBook Pro.

It's no secret that 15-inch laptops (and bigger) are the powerhouses of portable computing. They're used for gaming, content creation, video editing, and serious work.

Two of the best laptops are the Dell XPS 15 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16, each of which recently received updates to faster CPUs and GPUs, but otherwise remained mostly the same. Both are excellent laptops that offer great performance, outstanding build quality, and excellent input options -- but which one is right for you? Well, if it comes down to price, the XPS 15 the much more affordable option. That alone will make the decision easy for some people.
Specs

Read more
Why the Dell XPS 13 Plus still beats the latest competition in little laptops
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 front view showing display and keyboard.

Lenovo recently updated its smallest ThinkPad, the ThinkPad X1 Nano, to its third generation. It kept everything the same except for an upgrade to Intel 13th-gen CPUs. Dell did the same with the recent refresh of the XPS 13 Plus. These are both competent 13-inch laptops.

That was a safer direction for Dell, given that the XPS 13 Plus sports an ultramodern appearance. The ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3, on the other hand, remains a nice little laptop but its design is getting a bit dated. Can it compete with the more contemporary XPS 13 Plus?
Specs and configurations

Read more