If you happen to’ve purchased a 2022 version of the Razer Blade 14, you’re in for an surprising bonus: a firmware improve that can rework the laptop computer’s USB-C ports into full-fledged USB4 ports, upping their throughput considerably.
Razer mentioned that the surprising improve was already supported by the laptop computer’s present {hardware}, however that the improve was being made obtainable by way of AMD’s new assist for the USB4 commonplace.
If you happen to go to (and purchase) a Razer Blade 14 on Razer’s website, the Razer Blade 14, the laptop computer is at present marketed as having a “2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-C with Energy Supply and Show Port 1.4” ports, which might usually ship 10Gbps on every port. Now, because of the improve, every port will likely be able to 40Gbps, by way of USB4. That’s sufficient to attach a Thunderbolt dock (that helps USB4) or a devoted USB4 peripheral like a quick SSD or a number of 4K shows. Earlier than the improve, connecting these exterior units wasn’t attainable.
Enhancing a laptop computer port’s capabilities by way of a software program improve must be inconceivable. However a spokesman for Razer mentioned that, “the prevailing {hardware} already resident within the Blade 14 is able to supporting USB4, however the function was not initially current resulting from software program limitations. These limitations have been resolved, therefore a firmware replace is all that’s required to leverage the total USB4 commonplace.”
As well as, the firmware replace will activate Microsoft’s Pluton know-how, a safety core that’s obtainable in AMD’s Ryzen processors (which energy the Blade 14) however not Intel’s Core chips. Pluton has been used within the Xbox recreation console to forestall hacking, and was adopted by AMD (however not Intel) to guard PCs.
The one wrinkle seems to be that Razer is recommending customers straight contact Razer’s assist for the improve, fairly than use the built-in improve instruments throughout the laptop computer. Nonetheless, upgrading laptop computer {hardware} by way of software program isn’t one thing you see daily.
