What is Thunderbolt 4?

What is Thunderbolt™ 4? To put it simply, Thunderbolt 4 technology is a fast, universal interface for connecting many types of accessories, including USB and Thunderbolt-enabled devices. Any standard gaming display can also be used, since the Thunderbolt interface is natively compatible with DisplayPort monitors.

Is Thunderbolt 4 same as USB-C?

Thunderbolt™ 4 is not the same as USB-C; however, Thunderbolt™ 4 uses the USB-C connector type, recognizable by its oval shape.

Is Thunderbolt 4 better than USB-C?

While both can transfer data at up to 40Gbps, a Thunderbolt 4 port is significantly better at outputting video. For example, a USB-C port that supports Thunderbolt 4 is capable of supporting two external 4K monitors or one 8K monitor.

Is Thunderbolt 4 better than HDMI?

While HDMI is used primarily as a display connector on many types of electronics, Thunderbolt is used for both video and data applications, and is only found on computers. In direct comparison of their video capabilities, Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1 are evenly matched in support for a maximum resolution of 8K.

What is Thunderbolt 4 explanation?

Thunderbolt 4 ports have a 40Gbps (gigabits per second) bidirectional bandwidth. That means data can be moved to and from external storage quickly, and that up to five Thunderbolt devices can be connected for flexible device configurations—all powered by one port. Versatile connectivity.

What is Thunderbolt 4? (& Why It's The Best Connection Available)

Why is Thunderbolt 4 so good?

Thunderbolt 4 ports support high-speed SSDs, gaming monitors, and external graphics. Thunderbolt™ SSDs. A fast external drive can be an asset for gaming. For example, you can store your gaming library on an external drive and carry it with you to another PC.

Is Thunderbolt 4 the same as USB4?

Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 have the same specs, but Thunderbolt 4 is more reliable with tighter minimum specs. Both can drive dual 4K displays, transfers data at 40Gbps, and provide power to charge a laptop. But USB4 has lower minimum specs, and makers can choose not to implement all the features to minimize costs.

Do I really need Thunderbolt 4?

Thunderbolt 4 is basically a guarantee that you are getting the best version of USB4. While USB4 offers the same 40Gbps speed as Thunderbolt 4, there is also a slower 20Gbps version of USB4. Thunderbolt 4 also guarantees you can run a pair of 4K displays at minimum and transfer data at up to 32Gbps.

Why is Thunderbolt 4 so expensive?

Thunderbolt's tight manufacturing tolerances make the cables expensive, and when you extend the cables to three meters, the tolerances are even more important. So it seems that high Thunderbolt prices are the norm and aren't ever going to drop by much.

Does Thunderbolt 4 charge faster than USB-C?

Thunderbolt 4 ports look identical to both Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports and have the same 24-pin connector. In fact, the Thunderbolt 4 hardware interface has the same transfer and charging speeds as Thunderbolt 3 and are cross-compatible.

Is USB 3.2 faster than Thunderbolt 4?

With a data transfer rate of up to 40Gb/s, Thunderbolt can effectively double the performance of a USB-C cord with USB 3.2 Gen 2. The latest USB standard, USB4, harnesses the power of the Thunderbolt 3 protocol, which yields a 40Gb/s transfer speed for USB4 Type-C cables.

Can I charge my laptop with Thunderbolt 4?

Power, Data Transfer, and Video Display in One

Thunderbolt™ 4 ports and cables support the trifecta of power charging and data transfer with bidirectional movement and video display in one interface.

What is Thunderbolt 4 vs 3 cable?

Thunderbolt™ 4 technology requires support for dual 4K monitors or one 8K monitor vs. Thunderbolt™ 3 technology, which only requires support for one 4K monitor. Note that while Thunderbolt™ 3 protocol-enabled computers aren't required to support dual 4K monitors, some can.

How do I add Thunderbolt 4 to my computer?

Can I use my USB-C as Thunderbolt?

USB-C cables are now entirely compatible with Thunderbolt ports, and USB-C ports are compatible with Thunderbolt cables. This makes it easier than ever for computer users to use the best cable they have available. And in many instances, either standard is fine.

Can Thunderbolt 4 port be used as USB-C?

Thunderbolt 4 uses the USB-C connector, and it's backward compatible with all USB standards. So, in the sense of (for example) whether you can connect your USB-C custom flash drives to your laptop's Thunderbolt port, the two are the same.

Is Thunderbolt 4 faster than SSD?

1 is faster (1000MB/s) and Thunderbolt 3 is a lot faster (5000MB/s). When dealing with SSDs the story is a little different. Most SATA SSDs will run around 520MB/s.

Is Thunderbolt 4 future proof?

So Thunderbolt 4 standardises Thunderbolt 3 for all computer users. It's backwards compatible, but buying Thunderbolt 4 devices will also future-proof your setup. So if your Mac has “just” Thunderbolt 3, don't worry.

Is Thunderbolt 4 4K?

Thunderbolt 4 offers the most comprehensive capabilities available from USB-C, including double the minimum video and data capabilities of Thunderbolt 3, with support for two 4K video displays or one 8K display.

Is Thunderbolt outdated?

Apple introduced the Thunderbolt Display in 2011, but never shipped updated models. It was discontinued on June 23, 2016, with no successor to follow.

Is Thunderbolt 4 safe?

Thunderbolt 4 is also a more data-safe technology, as it requires Intel VT-d-based direct memory access (DMA) protection, also known as DMA remapping. Thunderbolt 4 requires storage speeds up to 3,000MBps, which is double the minimum requirements of Thunderbolt 3.

Is Thunderbolt 4 faster than USB?

Thunderbolt 4 has a maximum bidirectional bandwidth of 40Gbps and is four times faster than USB 3.2 Gen 1. Thunderbolt 4 has a maximum bidirectional bandwidth of 40Gbps and is four times faster than USB 3.2 Gen 1.

Does Apple own Thunderbolt?

Thunderbolt is the brand name of a hardware interface for the connection of external peripherals to a computer. It has been developed by Intel, in collaboration with Apple.

Can I use a USB 3.0 in Thunderbolt 4?

Technically, Thunderbolt 4 is backwards compatible with older USB standards too, including USB 3.1, USB 3.0 (alternatively known as USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 Gen 1), and USB 2.0, although you'll need a Thunderbolt to USB-A cable to utilise such support.

Does Apple have Thunderbolt 4?

These Mac models have Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports: MacBook Air (M2, 2022) MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022) iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021)