Like USB-C, the Thunderbolt 3 has a 24-pin, 8.4mm, reversible connector. However, Thunderbolt 3 is not a USB cable at all; it is a unique hardware interface standard developed by Apple and Intel. It does all the same things as USB-C but many times faster, plus transmit video and connect to monitors.
For most users, USB-C and Thunderbolt are interchangeable, meaning you could use either connector and it won't upset your user experience. They're both compatible with most devices, but if you're combining a cable and port from each technology, your speed will only equal that of the slower USB-C.
Various USB standards, including USB 3.2 and USB4, also use the USB-C connector type, and these cables and ports are cross-compatible with Thunderbolt™ 4. When devices with different capabilities are connected, the connection will only support the lowest common data rate.
To determine if your component is a Thunderbolt 3 device, look for the Thunderbolt 3 symbol (shown below). USB-C devices do not include this symbol. To determine if your computer has a Thunderbolt 3 port, check for the symbol near the port or refer to your computer manufacturer's technical documentation.
You can use either Thunderbolt or USB cables with Thunderbolt devices. See Use USB-C cables with your Mac. Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2: Use only Thunderbolt cables with Thunderbolt devices, and only Mini DisplayPort extension cables with Mini DisplayPort devices.
Thunderbolt ports are identifiable by the small lightning symbol printed on the computer's case next to the port. Here is an example: Some Macs have what is known as a "Mini DisplayPort", and the shape and size of the connector is very similar to that of a Thunderbolt port, so they are easily confused.
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.
Most times than not, a Thunderbolt 3 port will be distinguished by a lightning bolt icon next to the USB-C port. That's not to say that all laptops will use the Thunderbolt icon. Many don't. If your laptop doesn't have the Thunderbolt icon but you'd like to keep checking, there's another way to find out.
MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac Pro, iMac, and Mac have Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports that are compatible with most devices and monitors. Look through the chart below to know what adapter or cable you need to connect your favorite gadgets.
USB-C stands for the shape and type of connector, which is the same for all USB-C cables but not all cables support the same kind of protocols and transfer speeds. To use a Thunderbolt 3 product from Akitio, a Thunderbolt 3 cable is required.
The original Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 interfaces use mini DisplayPort-shaped connectors, which mean that they are entirely incompatible with any USB port. Apple computers (and a few Windows workstations) are the only systems to support Thunderbolt, which ultimately led to limited adoption.
Thunderbolt-3 supports refresh rates of 30 to 240 Hz at resolutions upto 1440p and 4K from 30-120 Hz. HDMI is limited to 1 30 Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.0 supports 1080p output at 144 Hz. Initially thunderbolt is limited to Apple devices. Thunderbolt-3 supports other PCs and devices.
Thunderbolt is a hardware interface that allows for the connection of devices to a computer. It uses the same connector as Mini DisplayPort (MDP). Thunderbolt combines PCI Express (PCIe) and DisplayPort (DP) into one serial signal alongside a DC connection for electric power, transmitted over one cable.
External USB/Thunderbolt drives are a super convenient way to quickly back up your vital files, as well as store any data that might overflow your internal storage. They're also a handy way to transport said data between locations and devices.
A USB-C to Ethernet adapter is a small device that allows you to connect your computer to an Ethernet network. It works by plugging into your computer's USB-C port and then connecting to an Ethernet cable. The adapter will then provide your computer with a connection to the Internet.
Thunderbolt technology is a universal cable connectivity solution that offers 40 gigabits per second (Gbps) bandwidth for high-speed data and video transfer, while also charging your laptop2 over a single cable. It uses the same Type-C connector as other USB Type-C (USB-C) ports.
The Thunderbolt 2 can support a direct connection of up to 10 different devices thanks to 20Gbps. The Thunderbolt 2 offers five fully powered USB 3 ports to help power hard drives, SSDs, or optical drives. It can even be used to charge an iPhone, iPad, tablet, or other USB charged devices.
Apple is also likely to offer different data transfer rates across the range, with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480 megabits per second) while iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models will support Thunderbolt 3 (40 gigabits / 40,000 megabits per second).
Thunder ⚡ Lightning bolt symbol
Lightning bolt symbol, aka thunderbolt text emoticon is used to convey things that may be shocking either electrically, or in a metaphorical sense. Lightning emoticon is even used to convey "lightning fast speed", as in Google Amp project that has a ⚡ lightning bolt as it's symbol.
While USB-C maxes out at 20Gbps transfer rate (and can't always deliver power), Thunderbolt communicates up to 40Gbps directly to a monitor. That's more than enough bandwidth to handle the demands of two 4K displays running at 60Hz, which is one of the format's compelling advantages.
On a laptop, all peripheral device connectors will be located on the left and right sides of the keyboard panel. You may have many different port types on your PC, so be sure to look for the special Thunderbolt symbol.
The Thunderbolt 3 cable doubles the max data transfer speed of USB-C, running as fast as 40Gbps. While it has a default charging speed of 15 watts (six times faster than USB-C's default speed), if you connect your device with USB PD, you achieve about the same 100 watts of power as USB-C.
In addition, the Thunderbolt 3 can signal data and transfer power to connected devices. It's easy to see that the Thunderbolt standard is faster and more efficient than the USB. What's more, Thunderbolt can handle video files using the same cord.
Where Thunderbolt 4 can offer 40 Gbps data rates at up to two meters in length, USB4 cables can only reach one meter when offering those same speeds. Slower USB4 cables that can handle just 20 Gbps can reach two meters or more, in some cases.