THE content discusses significant developments regarding the Linux kernel's upcoming native support for the USB4 protocol on Apple devices equipped with M1, M2, and M3 chips. This progress is credited to the Asahi Linux project, which aims to integrate Apple-specific drivers into the mainline Linux kernel. The article elaborates on the unique architecture of Apple’s USB4 implementation, including its specialized ACIO module and the complexities of managing dynamic power and device creation.
It highlights the extensive code submitted by Asahi engineers to support the proprietary Thunderbolt protocol, noting that while the patch introduces support for some host-to-host connections and USB3-over-USB4 tunneling, complete Thunderbolt support, including PCIe tunneling and DisplayPort video, is not yet available. Users should be cautious as certain hardware functionalities remain unreliable.