By PURPLELEC | 22 October 2024 | 0 Comments
Thunderbolt™ 4 Technology Analysis: Compatibility, Performance Improvement and Standardization Impac
As connectivity technology and high-speed data transfer ports continue to advance, users often face many challenges. Whenever a new device is launched on the market, it needs to be carefully checked for compatibility with current system settings, a process that is becoming increasingly complex. Especially when faced with multiple technologies such as USB-A, USB-C, USB 3.2, USB4, Thunderbolt™ 3 and Thunderbolt™ 4, each with different functions, determining the right choice can be particularly difficult.
Apple devices are known for their innovative designs. Whenever a new connection port is introduced, users need to check compatibility frequently. Thunderbolt™ has been an important part of the Apple ecosystem for over a decade, however, the new M1 MacBook only supports Thunderbolt™ 3 and not Thunderbolt™ 4. In contrast, Thunderbolt™ 4 is already available on Windows laptops, devices with Thunder Lake CPUs, and Intel's EVO platform.
Although the launch of Thunderbolt™ 4 was thought to bring significant technological changes, in reality, Thunderbolt™ 4’s upgrades are more subtle than those of Thunderbolt™ 3, focusing mainly on improving the performance of laptops and accessories manufacturers. Roll out the minimum specification requirements for your device.
The origins of Thunderbolt™ can be traced back to the late 2000s, when Intel began developing a high-speed data transmission solution capable of supporting conventional information processing and optical data, aiming to achieve video transmission and high-speed access to external storage devices through a single port. That technology is Thunderbolt™, the first port to beat USB by delivering up to 10Gbps of data through a single connector and consolidating video and data into a single cable.
Apple was the first to adopt Thunderbolt™ technology in new devices, and other manufacturers followed suit. However, in the first two generations (Thunderbolt™ and Thunderbolt™ 2), the ports used a different physical connection (Mini DisplayPort) and were not standardized like USB technology. This situation did not change until the launch of Thunderbolt™ 3 and Intel decided to adopt the USB-C port as part of it.
Thunderbolt™ 3 represented the most advanced port technology when it emerged, supporting data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, video output and power delivery. Actual performance may vary depending on system configuration and external device capabilities, but Thunderbolt™ 3 offers significant speed improvements and more features than USB 3.2.
However, with the advent of Thunderbolt™ 4 in 2020, people are beginning to expect new changes. Although initial rumors about Thunderbolt™ 4 claimed that data transfer speeds would be faster, this is not the case. Thunderbolt™ 4 is primarily designed to unify device connections and improve the functionality of Thunderbolt™ 3. Specifically, Thunderbolt™ 4 brings the following improvements: unified technology with USB4 devices, support for single 8K video (compared to dual 4K video in Thunderbolt™ 3), and increased PCIe transmission speed to 32Gbps (for 3,000Mbps external storage connection), increase the cable length to up to 2 meters, add wake-up and Intel VT-d memory access protection and other functions.
Although Thunderbolt™ 4 does not bring faster data transfer speeds, its underlying updates are still significant. Increases in PCIe connection speeds will impact connectivity and performance, and USB4’s inclusion of Thunderbolt™ as part of the specification means that in the future we can expect a universal connection with high-speed capacity across all devices. In addition, this standardization will help strengthen the connection between macOS and Windows devices, improve security, and provide consumers with more choices.
For docking technologies such as Purplelec base, the launch of Thunderbolt™ 4 also brings new opportunities. Purplelec has always been at the forefront of docking technology, providing solutions for a variety of connection standards. Its Thunderbolt™ 3-compatible devices can be used with Thunderbolt™ 4 ports without the need for additional adapters, while Thunderbolt™ 4 docking solutions are also available to future-proof users.
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