Whether you’re charging your mobile or connecting a monitor to a desktop, you’ll be using cables and ports. And if you inhabit a digital world of HD videos and pro audio recordings, these connections will be transferring vast data volumes in the blink of an eye. Do you know your USB-A from a USB-C and when you hear Thunderbolt does just a lesser-known Greek God spring to mind? Here we decode the latest data interfaces, including what they look like, which are physically compatible, and the one you truly need. Then help keep your devices running smoothly and go online more safely with Avira Free Security.
USB and Thunderbolt—welcome to the world of ports and plugs
Will one single technology standard ever rule them all? If you’re trying to squeeze a UK plug into an EU socket, it may seem like a distant dream. Sometimes it’s all-out war and only one format emerges as victorious…for a while at least. VHS crushed Betamax. Then DVDs did the same to VHS and, finally, Blu-ray ate them all (before nearly disappearing in the wake of streaming services). In the realm of USB ports, USB-C has clung on with noble tenacity, perhaps inspired by its name. It is the Universal Serial Bus after all and is now found in a wide array of technology and brands, from external hard drives to Windows and Apple laptops. Don’t be too hasty in handing it a crown though: Thunderbolt ports arrived and took the personal computer market by storm with several stand-out features.
Thunderbolt and USB technology were once completely separate entities but new evolutions in the form of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 have meant that they’re now largely compatible. So, you’re free to use the ports of one with the cables of the other, restoring some peace and harmony to the world. Long may it last! They’re not mirror images of each other though, so join us in taking a deep dive as we explore the similarities, benefits, and advantages of each.
What is USB-C?
It was here first, so it seems fair to start with the universal serial bus (USB) standard. Developed in 1996 by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), it was introduced as a way of setting up communication directly between a computer and peripheral devices. The USB-IF consists of more than 700 companies—including the powerhouses of Apple, Dell, HP, Intel, Microsoft, and Samsung—and has developed and certified the USB standard over the years. USB-C is their latest version. It’s precisely because it’s backed by so many big names that USB-C has been nearly universally accepted. In fact, the European Union announced that the USB type-C port will be the new standard for portable device chargers from December 2024. The move is designed to help simplify our digital lives and reduce our impact on the environment as we’ll be able to use a single charger for a range of portable electronic devices.
The USB-C is a vital ‘jack-of-all-trades’ when it comes to charging and syncing devices and high-speed data transfer: Its oval-shaped connector can transmit data at speeds of up to 20Gbps and deliver nearly 100 watts of power to charge mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. Some USB-Cs transmit DisplayPort audio and video signals to connect your device to an external monitor or TV. Just because your device has a USB-C port won’t grant it these superpowers—a USB hard drive won’t output a video signal for example. Fascinated and eager for more? Here are some common facts about USB-Cs.
Is it USB Type-A…B…or C?
Once there were USB Type-A connectors (where the “A” indicated the host connector) and USB Type-B connectors (where the “B” signified the device or accessory connector). Then came USB Type-C connectors, which have been cunningly designed so they can serve as either host or device connectors. Some devices have the newer USB-C connector on one end and a Type-A or Type-B connector on the other. How do you know what you’re looking at? USB Type-A has a flat, rectangular shape that can only be inserted one way. USB Type-B is smaller and square in shape with slightly bevelled corners. USB Type-C is oval and reversible, meaning it can be inserted into the port either way.
Is USB-C the same as a micro-USB?
They look similar but there are differences. The charging port of a Type-C cable has a flat, round shape and supports reverse insertion, so you never have to flip it over to plug it in. The charging port of a micro-USB cable has a ladder shape and doesn’t support reverse insertion, so there is a right way up.
What do the numbers on USB ports mean?
These numbers refer to the version (i.e.: the generation) of the USB and are also an indicator of the port’s data transfer rate and performance. For example, USB 3.0 has a transfer rate of 5 gigabits per second (Gbit/s), while USB 3.1 has a transfer rate of 10 Gbit/s.
What are the common USB icons and what do they tell us?
USBs come with six different icons. It’s useful to understand them as they represent different features, such as data transfer rates, audio, video, and power delivery capabilities.
HighSpeed (Hi-Speed): The classic USB triangle prong.
SuperSpeed: A capitalised and italicised SS, plus the data transfer speed capability of 5 Gbps above the classic triangle prong.
SuperSpeed+: A capitalised and italicised SS, plus the data transfer speed capability of 10 Gbps above the classic triangle prong.
SuperSpeed with Power Delivery: Same as the SuperSpeed but the icon is encased within a battery-like shape.
SuperSpeed+ with Power Delivery: Same as SuperSpeed+ but the icon is encased within a battery-like shape and carries a trademark symbol.
Fast charging: A classic black lightning bolt.
If that’s all clear, it’s time to muddy the waters with the other top contender in today’s digital connectivity race: Thunderbolt.
What is Thunderbolt and does it hit like one?
This hardware interface technology sounds like a Marvel comic superhero but was actually introduced by Intel in 2009 under the code name Light Peak. It originally featured an optical interface, and a more cost-effective copper-based version was co-developed by Apple and Intel and incorporated into the MacBook Pro in 2011. This is how proud parent, Intel, sums up its creation: “Thunderbolt technology delivers the best-in-class capabilities to drive high-bandwidth data, power, and video transfers for up to five devices on one connection. Gamers, creators, and workers can enjoy a clean desktop space with multiple displays and accessories on a powerful connectivity standard.” (Intel website, status 23/08/2024)
Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports look the same as USB-C ports and their connectors are identical. They do everything a USB-C port can but offer faster data transfer speeds. Feel free to plug a USB-C device into a Thunderbolt 3, 4, or even 5 port on your device and it should be fine, (but bear in mind that you’ll always be limited by the capabilities of the slowest connection). This isn’t expected to change either—Thunderbolt products are designed for compatibility with prior, current, and future devices and USB 3 and USB 4 products, although for devices from earlier generations, an adapter may be required. You’re also free to connect computers, cables, and accessories from different brands across Mac, Windows, Chrome, or Linux, making it a very flexible option. As with all technology, speed and performance have evolved across the different generations.
What are Thunderbolt 1, 2, and 3 and what are the differences?
Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 use a miniDP (DisplayPort) to connect to peripherals and offer speeds of up to 10Gbps and 10Gbps respectively. Thunderbolt 3 debuted the USB-C connector, changing the game in a number of ways: It created a newly compact port that delivers a faster (speeds of up to 40 Gbps), versatile connection to any dock, display or data device, plus support for a single 4K display.
What’s Thunderbolt 4 and how does it compare to Thunderbolt 3?
While Thunderbolt 4 is a later generation, its leap from Thunderbolt 3 isn’t as dramatic as the switch from Thunderbolt 1 and 2. Both newer versions use identical USB-C connectors and offer the same 40GBps top speed, but Thunderbolt 4 supports an impressive PCIe data rate of 32Gbps (compared to the 16Gbps of Thunderbolt 3). The latter spec also supports sending video signals to two 4K displays or one 8K display. With Thunderbolt 4, you can wake your computer from sleep mode by touching the keyboard or mouse if it’s connected to a Thunderbolt hub.
Where can I find Thunderbolt 4-enabled devices?
You’ll need to look for more modern and high-end computers running Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chrome OS. At least one Thunderbolt 4 port is required on all Intel® Evo™ laptops and all Intel® Core™ vPro® processor-enabled laptops. It’s also available on all late-model Macs as well as the iPad Pro.
USB-C goes head-to-head with Thunderbolt 4: What are the differences?
There’s no denying that Thunderbolt 4 offers advantages over USB-C with its impressive array of capabilities. Faster content creation and gaming applications, more bandwidth to support more accessories, plus workspaces that are less cluttered with cables…what’s not to love (if you can afford it)? Thunderbolt 4 ports and cables support power charging and data transfer with two-way transfers and video display in one interface. So, a Thunderbolt-enabled laptop can pass a video signal to the monitor and the monitor can charge the laptop at the same time.
In a nutshell, when USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 go head-to-head, Thunderbolt generally wins on these points:
- Ability to connect multiple devices together. Data, power, and video signals will flow from the computer and down the chain into up to five accessories.
- Higher bandwidth with Gbps of bandwidth dynamically allocated for all devices (including data and video) on a single connection.
- Rich multiple display options of up to two 4K 60 Hz displays or one 8K 60 Hz display on a single connection. Thunderbolt guarantees the consistency of both data speeds and image quality, without the variability sometimes associated with USB.
- Fast charging as the default charging speed for Thunderbolt 3 is 15 watts, but it can charge at up to 100 watts with the Power Delivery protocol. A USB-C cable’s default power output is 2.5 watts, but it can also deliver up to 100 watts with the Power Delivery protocol. The speed at which a device charges with a USB-C cable depends on the type of USB port it’s plugged into—later-generation ports offer faster transfers.
- Greater flexibility with external graphics and storage. Thanks to its higher bandwidth, Thunderbolt 4 allows users to connect their computer to an external graphics processing unit (GPU), a hard disk drive (HDD), and more, for large, customised setups. Thunderbolt 4 cables can connect to USB and DisplayPort accessories with lengths of up to two metres, so that’s a lot of cable to work with.
Thunderbolt may have nosed ahead in terms of performance and flexibility, but who knows what’s on the horizon for UBSs? No doubt there will soon be a new world of differences for us to get our heads around.
USB-C or Thunderbolt? What’s right for me?
That depends on your personal circumstances and preferences.
Are you cost-conscious? Then you may prefer USB-C. As a proprietary Intel technology, Thunderbolt tends to be more expensive. Also, devices with Thunderbolt ports tend to cost more. However, a USB-C port allows Thunderbolt cables to connect, making it a universally compatible option.
Are you an avid gamer? Consider Thunderbolt as part of your strategy to help boost PC gaming. A Thunderbolt cable can transfer up to 40 Gbps, which is twice the maximum of USB-C. It’s important to remember that these speeds are only possible when using a Thunderbolt cable with a Thunderbolt port (and not a USB-C port). You’ll appreciate the added oomph if you enjoy activities like gaming and virtual reality. Thunderbolt’s faster data transfers mean peripherals like mice, keyboards, and VR headsets can respond more quickly and help decrease lag. Plus, Thunderbolt lets you easily add external storage, so you can play games with large file sizes directly from an external drive, freeing up valuable storage space on your computer.
Are you a creative professional who needs multiple high-resolution screens? Thunderbolt technology lets you daisy-chain (link) multiple 4K monitors and devices, plus you’ll be able to streamline your setup with fewer cables to cut the clutter. It also provides a higher video bandwidth, making it ideal for graphic design and 3D modelling. It really comes into its own for rapidly transferring large files to external drives, so it’s ideal for data backups and video-editing workflows.
Only you will know if the benefits of Thunderbolt are worth the extra cost. If you primarily use your computer for basic tasks like editing Word documents, browsing the web, or sending emails, then USB-C should be fine.
Welcome to the next generation: Thunderbolt 5
Thunderbolt has represented the forefront of data transfer and power delivery technology for years now, and the arrival of Thunderbolt 5 in mid-2024 has almost certainly cemented that leadership for another generation. It does everything that Thunderbolt is already synonymous with but adds an even bigger ‘bang’: This means even more available bandwidth for data transfers, greater support for resolutions and refresh rates on external monitors, and improved charging and power-delivery capacities. Its raw bandwidth support has risen to a mind-blowing 80 Gbps—and it’s able to achieve all this because it works differently to previous generations. Thunderbolt 5 is based on Pulse Amplitude Modulation 3 (PAM-3) technology, a faster way of transmitting data. If you’re eager to try it, you’ll have to be patient as this newest member of the Thunderbolt family gradually works its way into computers and peripherals.
Helps speed you up and keeps you safer online: Avira Free Security
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Thunderbolt is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
