Thunderbolt Connection: What Is It?

by kim Updated: July 9, 2022

Thunderbolt is a very fast connection standard that allows you to connect different devices to your PC or Mac. It’s used to transfer data and display content on a screen. Thunderbolt can transfer data at speeds of up to 40 Gbps, which is double the speed of USB 3.1.

So, how does it work? Well, that’s exactly what we’ll be talking about in this article.

What’s the Deal with Thunderbolt?

What is Thunderbolt?

Thunderbolt is a fancy new technology that was created when Intel and Apple got together and said “Hey, let’s make something awesome!” It was initially only compatible with Apple’s MacBook Pro, but then Thunderbolt 3 came along and made it compatible with USB-C. And now we have Thunderbolt 4, which is even better than Thunderbolt 3. It can daisy-chain two 4K monitors or support a single 8K monitor, and data transfer speeds of up to 3,000 megabytes per second. That’s double the minimum standard set by Thunderbolt 3!

The Cost of Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt is a proprietary technology owned by Intel, and it tends to be pricier than USB-C. So if you’re looking to buy a device with Thunderbolt ports, you’re gonna have to pay a little extra. But if you have a USB-C port, you can still use Thunderbolt cables.

How Fast Does Thunderbolt Transfer Data?

Thunderbolt 3 cables can transfer up to 40 gigabytes of data per second, which is double the maximum data transfer speed of USB-C. But to get those speeds, you gotta use a Thunderbolt cable with a Thunderbolt port, not a USB-C port. That means if you’re into gaming or virtual reality, Thunderbolt is the way to go. It’ll give you a faster response from your peripherals, like mice, keyboards, and VR headsets.

How Fast Does Thunderbolt Charge Devices?

Thunderbolt 3 cables charge devices at 15 watts of power, but if your device has Power Delivery protocol, it’ll charge at up to 100 watts, which is the same as USB-C. So if you’re charging most devices, like laptops, you’ll get the same charging speeds with a Thunderbolt 3 cable as you would with a USB-C.

What’s a Thunderbolt Port?

USB-C ports and Thunderbolt ports are both universal, but they’re not exactly the same. Thunderbolt ports are compatible with USB-C devices and cables, but they also have some extra features. For example, you can connect external 4K monitors together and use Thunderbolt expansion docks. These docks let you connect a single cable to your computer and then get a bunch of different ports, like an Ethernet port, an HDMI port, various USB types, and a 3.55 mm audio jack.

Can You Use Thunderbolt Cables in USB-C Ports?

Yes, you can use Thunderbolt cables with a USB-C port. But not all Windows PCs with USB-C ports will support Thunderbolt 3 cables. To make sure your PC has a Thunderbolt port, look for the trademark Thunderbolt’s lightning symbol near the port. If you’re looking to buy a new PC, check to see if it has a Thunderbolt port. HP has a bunch of laptops and desktop PCs with Thunderbolt ports, like HP Spectre x360 convertible laptops, HP OMEN PCs, HP ZBook workstations, and HP EliteBook laptops.

Comparing Thunderbolt and USB-C: What’s the Difference?

What is Thunderbolt?

Thunderbolt is a technology that allows you to connect multiple 4K monitors and accessories to your computer. It also allows you to transfer large amounts of data quickly and easily. It’s a great option for those who work with large data files such as video, or for competitive gamers who need to daisy-chain multiple 4K monitors.

What is USB-C?

USB-C is a type of USB port that is becoming increasingly popular. It’s great for connecting accessories and storage devices, and for charging them. It’s a good option for most users, but if you need to transfer large amounts of data or you plan to connect multiple monitors, then Thunderbolt is a better choice.

Which One Should You Choose?

It all depends on what you need! If you’re a regular user who just needs to connect some accessories and charge them, then USB-C is probably your best bet. But if you’re a video editor or a competitive gamer, then Thunderbolt is the way to go. Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of each:

• Thunderbolt: Faster data transfer, supports daisy-chaining multiple 4K monitors, supports Thunderbolt docking stations.
• USB-C: More affordable, easier to find, good for most users.

So if you’re looking to transfer large amounts of data or you need to connect multiple 4K monitors, then Thunderbolt is the way to go. Otherwise, USB-C is probably your best bet.

Everything You Need to Know About Thunderbolt Ports on Mac

What are the Different Types of Thunderbolt Ports?

• Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C): Found on some newer Intel-based Mac computers
• Thunderbolt / USB 4: Found on Mac computers with Apple silicon
• Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C): Found on Mac computers with Apple silicon

These ports allow data transfer, video output, and charging through the same cable.

What Kind of Cables Should I Use?

• Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), Thunderbolt / USB 4, and Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C): Use only USB cables with USB devices. Don’t use the wrong cable, or your device won’t work even though the cable’s connectors fit your device and your Mac. You can use either Thunderbolt or USB cables with Thunderbolt devices.
• Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2: Use only Thunderbolt cables with Thunderbolt devices, and only Mini DisplayPort extension cables with Mini DisplayPort devices. Again, don’t use the wrong cable, or your device won’t work even though the cable’s connectors fit your device and your Mac.

Do I Need Power Cords?

The Thunderbolt port on a Mac can provide power to multiple connected Thunderbolt devices, so separate power cords from each device are usually not required. Check the documentation that came with your device to see if the device needs more power than the Thunderbolt port provides.

If you’re using a Thunderbolt device without its own power cord, it can cause the battery on your Mac laptop to become depleted faster. So if you plan to use such a device for an extended period, it’s a good idea to connect your Mac laptop or your Thunderbolt device to a power source. Just remember to disconnect the device from your Mac first, connect the device to a power source, then reconnect the device to your Mac. Otherwise, the device continues to draw power from your Mac.

Can I Connect Multiple Thunderbolt Devices?

It depends on your Mac. You may be able to connect multiple Thunderbolt devices to each other, then connect the chain of devices to the Thunderbolt port on your Mac. Check out the Apple Support article for more info.

Everything You Need to Know About Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), Thunderbolt / USB 4, and Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)

What Are They?

Are you a tech-savvy person who’s always on the lookout for the latest and greatest gadgets? Then you’ve probably heard of Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), Thunderbolt / USB 4, and Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C). But what are they?

Well, these ports are the latest and greatest way to transfer data, video, and charge your devices. They’re available on some of the newest Intel-based Mac computers, and depending on the model, Mac computers with Apple silicon have either the Thunderbolt / USB 4 port or the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) port.

What Can You Do With Them?

Basically, these ports let you do all kinds of cool stuff. You can transfer data, stream video, and charge your devices all through the same cable. It’s like having a mini-tech hub in your pocket!

Plus, you can use adapters to connect your devices to the ports. So if you’re looking for a way to connect your old devices to your new Mac, you’re in luck.

What’s the Catch?

Well, there’s no catch really. Just make sure you check out the Apple Support article Adapters for the Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port on your Mac to make sure the adapter you’re using is compatible with your device.

And that’s all you need to know about Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), Thunderbolt / USB 4, and Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C). Now you can go forth and tech like a pro!

What’s the Difference Between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4?

Thunderbolt 3

So you’ve decided you need some lightning-fast data transfer speeds, and you’ve heard about Thunderbolt 3. But what is it? Well, here’s the scoop:

• Thunderbolt 3 is the OG of the Thunderbolt family, having been around since 2015.
• It’s got a USB-C connector, so you can plug it into any modern device.
• It’s got a maximum transfer speed of 40GB/s, which is pretty darn fast.
• It can also provide up to 15W of power for running accessories.
• It can support one 4K display and is compatible with USB4 specification.

Thunderbolt 4

Thunderbolt 4 is the latest and greatest in the Thunderbolt lineup. It’s got all the same features as Thunderbolt 3, but with some extra bells and whistles:

• It can support two 4K displays, so you can get twice the visuals.
• It’s rated as “compliant” for USB4 specification, so you know it’s up to date.
• It’s got double the PCIe SSD bandwidth speed (32 Gb/s) of Thunderbolt 3 (16 Gb/s).
• It still has the same max transfer speed of 40Gb/s, and can provide up to 15W of power.
• It also has Thunderbolt Networking, so you can connect multiple devices.

So if you’re looking for the fastest data transfer speeds, the latest USB4 compliance, and the ability to connect multiple devices, Thunderbolt 4 is the way to go!

How Can I Tell If I Have a Thunderbolt Port?

Check for the Thunderbolt Icon

If you’re looking to find out if your device has a Thunderbolt port, the easiest way is to check for the Thunderbolt icon next to your USB-C port. It looks like a lightning bolt and is usually easy to spot.

Check Your Device’s Tech Specs

If you’re not seeing the Thunderbolt icon, don’t worry! You can also check your device’s tech specs online to see if it mentions Thunderbolt ports in the product description.

Download Intel’s Driver & Support Assistant

If you’re still not sure, Intel’s got your back! Download their Driver & Support Assistant and it’ll show you what kind of ports your device has. Just make sure your device is using Intel products and is running a supported version of Windows.

Differences

Thunderbolt Connection Vs Hdmi

When it comes to connecting your laptop to your monitor or TV, HDMI is the go-to choice for most people. It’s capable of transferring high-definition audio and video over a single cable, so you don’t need to worry about a bunch of wires. But if you’re looking for something faster, Thunderbolt is the way to go. It’s the latest and greatest in peripheral connectivity, and it lets you daisy chain multiple devices together. Plus, if you have a Mac, you can get even more out of it. So if you’re looking for speed and convenience, Thunderbolt is the way to go.

FAQ

Can you plug USB into Thunderbolt?

Yes, you can plug USB devices into a Thunderbolt port. It’s as easy as plugging a USB cable into your computer. Thunderbolt 3 ports are fully compatible with USB devices and cables, so you don’t need any special adapters. Just grab your USB device and plug it into the Thunderbolt port and you’re good to go! Plus, it’s super fast, so you won’t have to wait around for your device to connect. So go ahead and plug in your USB device into a Thunderbolt port and get ready to experience lightning-fast speeds!

What can you plug into a Thunderbolt port?

You can plug a lot of things into your Mac’s Thunderbolt port! You can hook up a display, a TV, or even an external storage device. And with the right adapter, you can even connect your Mac to a display that uses DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, or VGA. So if you’re looking to expand your Mac’s capabilities, the Thunderbolt port is the way to go!

What does Thunderbolt port look like?

Thunderbolt ports are easy to spot on any laptop or desktop computer. Just look for the USB-C port with a lightning bolt icon next to it. That’s your Thunderbolt port! If you don’t see the lightning bolt, then your USB-C port is just a regular one and won’t be able to take advantage of the extra features that come with a Thunderbolt cable. So don’t be fooled – make sure you check for that lightning bolt!

Is Thunderbolt only Apple?

No, Thunderbolt is not exclusive to Apple. It is a high-speed data transfer technology that is available on both Mac and Windows computers. However, Apple was the first to adopt it and is the only one to offer full support for it. This means that if you want to get the most out of Thunderbolt, you’ll need an Apple computer. Windows users will still be able to use Thunderbolt, but they won’t be able to take advantage of all its features. So, if you want to experience the full power of Thunderbolt, you’ll need an Apple computer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Thunderbolt is a revolutionary technology that provides faster data transfer speeds and charging capabilities than USB-C. It’s a great option for anyone who wants to take their gaming or virtual reality experience to the next level. Plus, it’s compatible with USB-C, so you don’t have to worry about investing in new cables or ports. Just make sure to look for the trademark Thunderbolt’s lightning symbol next to or near the port. So, if you’re looking for a lightning-fast connection, Thunderbolt is the way to go! BOOM!

Hi, I'm Kim, a mom and a stop-motion enthusiast with a background in media creation and web development. I've got a huge passion for drawing and animation, and now I'm diving headfirst into the stop-motion world. With my blog, I'm sharing my learnings with you guys.