What is a Thunderbolt Port 3/4 Port Tech [Complete Guide]

In today's fast-paced world of technology, the Thunderbolt port attracted attention once it came out with its unparalleled convenience and speed. Whether content creators, game YouTubers, or individuals who just need fast charging, Thunderbolt technology has become the first choice. This advanced technology revolutionized how we interact with our devices like transferring large files, connecting to multiple displays, and charging our devices.

What is a Thunderbolt port? What are the differences between Thunderbolt 3, 4, and USB-C, HDML ports? Join this guide to explore the ins and outs of Thunderbolt ports and discover just how popular and convenient this versatile feature has become in our daily lives.

Part 1. What is a Thunderbolt Port

A Thunderbolt port is an input or output interface that allows you to transfer data, charge devices, and connect multiple peripherals at high speed.

It was first come out by Intel in cooperation with Apple in February 2011, till now, there are Thunderbolt 1 to 5 port standards have come out. Among them, the Thunderbolt 3, 4, and 5 are using USB-C connectors, winning a much wider use.

Part 2. History of Thunderbolt Technology

The Thunderbolt standard was initially launched in the year of 2011 and along the way, it has undergone a series of reforms.

Thunderbolt 1: The Thunderbolt 1 port was developed jointly by Intel and Apple and released in February 2011. It uses a different port interface from USB-C and can transmit data at speeds up to 10Gbps.

Thunderbolt 2: Based on the first generation, Intel and Apple launched Thunderbolt 2, which can transmit data at speeds up to 20Gbps. Till now, the Thunderbolt port interface has stayed the same.

Thunderbolt 3: Thunderbolt 3 gets a major overhaul. It was released in 2015, and changed the connection port to the USB type C, making it much easier for users to connect. Besides, this time, the transmit speed reaches up to 40 Gbps, allowing for super fast data and power transfer.

Thunderbolt 4: Compared to Thunderbolt 3, the 4th generation updated the minimum bandwidth requirement of 32 Gbit/s and added capabilities like support for two 4K displays.

Thunderbolt 5: Intel previewed a Thunderbolt 5 which provides a maximum bandwidth of 120 Gbit/s. A series of Thunderbolt 5 compatible accessories will be launched in 2024.

Part 3. Key Features of Thunderbolt Ports

In recent years, Thunderbolt ports and cables have become increasingly wide choices, what exactly is Thunderbolt technology attractive and advanced? Here are some of its key features that benefit users a lot.

1. USB C port compatible

The latest version of Thunderbolt port, including Thunderbolt 3 and 4, is compatible with USB-C cables. This brings a great convenience, more and more devices can connect to a Thunderbolt port through a USB-C cable.

2. Fast speed power & data delivery

The tech of Thunderbolt speeds up data and power delivery. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 offer a maximum transmit speed of 40 Gbps, twice the traditional USB-C capability.

3. Daisy-chain 6 devices simultaneously

Thunderbolt makes it easy for a computer to connect to other peripherals. A maximum of 6 devices are allowed to connect through the Thunderbolt port using a docking station thanks to the daisy-chain technology.

4. Bidirectional transfer

The transfer direction through a Thunderbolt port is not fixed. For example, you can either charge a photo with your computer or, use your photo to charge your laptop through the Thunderbolt port.

Part 4. What is a Thunderbolt Port Used for?

After knowing the features of Thunderbolt, you may be wondering what is a Thunderbolt port used for. Here are 3 main usages of Thunderbolt port.

1. Data Transfer

Thunderbolt port excels in video and audio transfer, it allows content creators, game Youtubers, and many other people who need to handle large-size data to transfer them at high speed.

2. High-Speed Charging

The Thunderbolt port is also good at charging devices. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 provide up to 100W power charge speed, and power up accessories at 15W speed. At the same time, a matched fast charger is necessary. Ugreen offers many fast USB C chargers and cables to speed up this process.

3. Connect to a Display

Thunderbolt port also makes it easier for people to connect their laptop to a display. Connecting your laptop screen to a bigger display helps you handle your work better. Traditionally, an HDMI cable is necessary for this purpose, but a Thunderbolt makes everything easy.

Part 5. Comparison with Other Connection Ports

Many people are still confused about the similarities and differences between a Thunderbolt port, USB-C port, HTML port, and many other ports. This part will compare a Thunderbolt port with USB, HDMI, and other common ports, to see each’s advantages and limitations, and help you get your best connection option.

Thunderbolt Port vs. USB-C Port

The latest Thunderbolt versions including Thunderbolt 3 and 4 share the same port interface as USB C. Apart from this, they are functionally the same in data transfer and power delivery, but Thunderbolt does it twice faster than USB-C. Additionally, Thunderbolt allows users to connect up to 6 devices simultaneously, and it also works well for external display connection.

Thunderbolt Port vs. HDMI Port

Both Thunderbolt port and HDMI port can help connect your laptop to a display, but Thunderbolt can only be found on computers, while HDMI works on many types of electronics. Besides, functions like data transfer and power delivery can only be found on Thunderbolt.

Thunderbolt Port vs. Lighting Port

A lighting port is exclusive to Apple devices and accessories, which makes Thunderbolt a more compatible choice, and it wins on the transfer speed too.

Which ports should you use? Though the Thunderbolt port seems to be useful in more scenarios, the answer still depends. In most cases, a Thunderbolt port is the best option for most users, but some of its peripheral devices may be costly.

Conclusion

Now you’ve had an understanding of what is a Thunderbolt port. This revolutionary technology plays a significant role in the tech industry, especially the Thunderbolt 3 and 4 tech, which is compatible with the universal USB-C port, potential for the future. At this high-speed generation, all your devices are in need of fast accessories from trusted brands like Ugreen, the one-stop solution for chargers, hubs, power banks, and so on.