Thunderbolt™ and USB-C are both efficient technologies for connecting devices. They are fast, capable of transferring large amounts of data, and use reversible Type-C connectors that are ideal for connecting devices such as monitors, hard drives, and printers. Although the two may seem similar at first glance, there are significant technical differences between them that may impact user choice and workspace integration.
First of all, Thunderbolt™ is a technology based on USB-C and has higher specifications. Both support the USB protocol, share identically shaped ports and cables that are physically compatible with each other. This means users can use a Thunderbolt™ cable with a USB-C port, or a USB-C cable with a Thunderbolt™ port (albeit with different effects). In addition, they all use reversible cables for easy connection and support high-speed data, video and audio transmission while powering laptops and accessories.
The main differences between Thunderbolt™ and USB-C
1. Data transmission: Thunderbolt™ is significantly faster than USB-C. All versions of Thunderbolt™ support transfer rates up to 40Gbps, while USB-C transfer rates vary depending on the specification, up to 20Gbps. As a result, Thunderbolt™-equipped laptops are typically 2-4 times faster at data transfer than USB-C-equipped laptops.
2. Display connection: Thunderbolt™ can support up to two 60Hz external 4K displays. While USB-C can also support external displays, it requires the host device to support DisplayPort Alternate Mode or Alt Mode.
3. Device support: Thunderbolt™ supports PCIe devices such as fast external hard drives and external GPUs, while USB-C cannot connect these types of devices.
4. Daisy chain connection: Thunderbolt™ supports daisy chain connection, and up to 6 compatible devices can be connected to one port, helping to create a clean and tidy workspace. In contrast, USB-C devices require their own USB-C port on the host device.
5. Backward compatibility: Thunderbolt™ is backward compatible with USB-C, supporting any USB-C device and maximizing its functionality. However, the USB-C port does not support Thunderbolt devices. Therefore, Thunderbolt™ host laptops will support both Thunderbolt™ and USB-C devices, while USB-C host laptops will only support USB-C devices.
6. Identification: Identifying a Thunderbolt™ port or cable is easy, just look for the lightning bolt symbol next to or on top of the port. If the cable or port doesn't have a lightning bolt symbol, it's probably a USB-C port.
As technology evolves, both Thunderbolt™ and USB-C will continue to evolve to meet the needs of today’s fast-paced environment. Users can choose the right technology for their needs and use docking stations, cables and accessories to increase productivity.
