2023-12-25 18:19:00
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25.12.2023 21:19, Mykola Khizhnyak
Lenovo is preparing to release a laptop from the ThinkBook series, equipped with an OCuLink connector for connecting external video cards. Images of the upcoming new product called ThinkBook 14+ have appeared on various Chinese online social platforms.
Image source: Zhihu
OCuLink (short for Optical-Copper Link) is a more affordable alternative to Thunderbolt. The popularity of the standard began to grow following some manufacturers decided to release portable game consoles equipped with this connector. You can connect an external video card to it, which in turn significantly increases the graphic capabilities of portable set-top boxes that do not have discrete video cards.
OCuLink is considered as an external PCIe interface that does not load the CPU controller, unlike Thunderbolt. While the latter offers more features, such as a more versatile, compact USB Type-C connector and easier connectivity, Thunderbolt is slower than OCuLink. In other words, when connected via Thunderbolt, the external video card loses performance. In practice, a video card connected to OCuLink provides approximately 15–20% more performance than when connected via Thunderbolt (USB Type-C).
Images of the Lenovo ThinkBook 14+ laptop equipped with the OCuLink interface were taken from an upcoming Intel presentation. It also says that these laptops will receive Core Ultra processors. Via OCuLink, you can connect to your laptop, for example, an external GPD G1 docking station or OneXGPU with Radeon RX 7600M XT, originally released for portable set-top boxes from One-Netbook. Also, if you have the necessary adapter, you can connect a desktop video card.
By the way, third-party manufacturers are already producing special adapters from PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 to OCuLink for ThinkBook laptops. Similar devices can be found on Chinese online trading platforms for regarding $20. Apparently, Lenovo has decided this time to independently equip its future ThinkBook models with the OCuLink interface without the need for third-party modifications.
Adapter from PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 to OCuLink for ThinkPad 16+ 2023 laptop. Image source: AliExpress
Chinese sources report that Lenovo has not yet decided on the final design of the ThinkBook 14+. It is possible that in some markets the laptop will be offered without OCuLink. It should also be added that Lenovo currently does not have any products equipped with this interface. Even the newest portable gaming console, Legion Go, didn’t get it. Instead, it is proposed to use the USB4 connector to connect an external GPU to the set-top box.
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