What is the difference between Thunderbolt and USB-C?

Do you know the exact difference between the technologies Thunderbolt e USB-C? Until recently, technologies Thunderbolt e USB caused a lot of confusion when it came to cellular connectivity, tablets e laptops. Both technologies had their purpose and lived separately, but everything changed very quickly when the USB-C was introduced to the general public. After that, the distance between the two technologies decreased dramatically, with them coexisting in a single space.

Although, currently, both technologies have their similarities, we separate the Key points that differentiate Thunderbolt and USB-C — be sure to check it out!

What is Thunderbolt?

O Thunderbolt is a communication standard that serves to connect multiple devices in one device. The technology was created in a partnership between Intel and Apple and at the beginning it was compatible only with the Apple's MacBook Pro.

As the technology has been around since 2011, it has undergone several changes over the years. In the beginning, its input was unlike any other, and this was used to stand out as a direct rival to USB, especially on high-end computers. Apple . It was only after the creation of the Thunderbolt 3 that technology has adopted USB-C as a universal gateway, giving access to more users than ever before.

O Thunderbolt 3 brought users a maximum transfer speed of up to 40 GB per second, and up to 15W of power to support multiple accessories at the same time. In addition, the technology supported a 4K display and was compatible with the USB 4. Fortunately, all these improvements were also featured in the Thunderbolt 4, which repeats the maximum transfer speed of its predecessor, but also includes support for dual 4K displays.

What is USB-C?

O USB-C it's the modern version of cables USB that have been around for years. Its main difference from previous models is that its input is oval, and can be fitted from either side on compatible devices. Due to its worldwide success, it is possible to find entries USB-C on a variety of devices, from cell phones to the latest video game controllers. Its input is smaller, compact and works universally with devices Thunderbolt. Today, technology USB-C It comes with two different specifications: USB 3.2 and USB 4.

O USB 3.2 brings a maximum speed of up to 20 Gbps for data transfer, and exclusively uses the input USB-C for all devices. Meanwhile, the USB 4 brings a specification more similar to the technology Thunderbolt 3, and is capable of working with monitors, power chargers and even external memory banks. In addition, the USB 4 can deliver up to 40Gbps maximum data transfer speed, and also maintains the oval shape of the USB-C to adapt more easily to different devices.

Are Thunderbolt and USB-C the same?

As Thunderbolt and USB-C inputs are universal, but this does not mean that they are necessarily identical. despite the entry Thunderbolt Being fully compatible with USB-C cables and devices, the input brings many differences in speed and features when using a cable Thunderbolt. For example, for the Thunderbolt 4 reach the speed of 40 GB per second, the cable needs to be plugged into an input and an output Thunderbolt. If the cable is connected to a device that supports USB, only half of the maximum speed will be distributed to the device.

In addition, the entry Thunderbolt can be in one However, expansion module that allows you to connect multiple devices in one place. Thanks to its speed and power, the However, Allows user to connect internet cable, HDMI, various types of USB and even headphone jack on the same device. To identify if your device has an input Thunderbolt 4, just look for the “lightning bolt” symbol that has become a hallmark of technology.

Which Thunderbolt laptop should I choose?

With the advancement of technology, it has become easier to find a good notebook on Thunderbolt included in. If you're looking for a notebook that has the ability to support multiple devices connected at the same time, have an input Thunderbolt 4 it is practically essential. That's why we've separated some models for you looking for power, accessibility and speed that only the Thunderbolt can provide.

Dell XPS 9310

O Dell XPS 9310 is considered one of laptops top of the line brand Dell for offering high performance, speed, a Design thin and live screen. Because of these qualities, the XPS 9310 ends up costing a little more than normal, with its value reaching the R$9475 on the Internet.

O notebook bring a processor Intel 11th generation, internal video card and 32 GB memory, in addition to having the capacity of up to 2 TB of space with the internal SSD. Its screen brings fine images with 4K quality, in addition to bringing more vivid colors than other competitors on the market. Your Design is also a big key point, as the machine is very slim and compact, allowing the user to carry it around without having to draw too much attention.

• Processor: Intel Core i7-1185G7
• Memory: 32GB RAM
• Screen size: 13.4 ″
• Weight: 1.3 kg
• Resolution: 3840 x 2400
• GPU: Integrated graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Battery: Charge that lasts about 10 hours in normal use.

HP Spectre x360

O HP Specter X360 is an notebook 2 in 1, that is, it has the normal functionality of a notebook and also from a tablets for those looking to bring more practicality to their work. This model can also cost more with values ​​that reach the R$12.000, but your input Thunderbolt 4 and the convenience of a 2-in-1 device make it worth the investment.

Processor: Intel Core i7-1065G7
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Screen size: 13.3 ″
Weight: 0.93 kg
Resolution: 3840 × 2160
GPU: Integrated graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Battery: Charge that lasts about 10 hours in normal use.

Acer Swift 3

compared to others laptops of the market that use the technology, the Acer Swift 3 doesn't have so many features, but it's still a good choice for those looking for a notebook at a price that fits in your pocket. In addition to having input for devices Thunderbolt 4, notebook features a 10th generation Intel processor, an integrated graphics intel xe and 16 GB of RAM.

Its screen is basic, as it only supports Full HD images (1920×1080), and this is perhaps one of the main reasons why the device is cheaper. On the internet, it is possible to find this model in the range of R$5.999, which puts it in a good position for those looking for the technology Thunderbolt cheaper.

Processor: Intel Core i7-1035G4
Memory: 16GB RAM
Screen size: 14 ″
Weight: 1.19 kg
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
GPU: Integrated graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Battery: Charge that lasts about 11 hours in normal use.

Which notebook with USB-C should I choose?

Notebooks with entry USB-C are more common and typically cost less than those with the Thunderbolt 4. Sometimes you just need a good, powerful notebook that supports USB-C, so keep an eye on the following models:

Lenovo ThinkPad E14

O ThinkPad E14 da Lenovo It is one of the main models to be used in companies and schools due to its low cost and high power. The model features a 14-inch screen with 1920 × 1080, One webcam that records at 720p and carries an 11th generation processor from Intel. In addition, the ThinkPad E14 comes with an integrated graphics card intel xe and two entries USB-C. Unfortunately, the notebook supports only 512GB of space on its internal SSD, which can be a problem for anyone planning to use the machine for various processes besides work.

Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
Memory: 16GB RAM
Screen size: 14 ″
Weight: 1.64 kg
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
GPU: Integrated graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Battery: Charge that lasts between 12-15 hours, depending on usage.

Dell Inspiron 15 5510

The main point of Dell Inspiron 5510 is the quick recharge of your battery. With it, you can load your notebook from 0% to 80% in just 60 minutes, making it one of the fastest recharges on the market. just like the others laptops already mentioned in the text, the Inspiron also has a processor Intel 11th generation and an integrated graphics card intel xe, in addition to also bringing an internal SSD of 512 GB of space. The model also has an entry USB-C and two entries USB-A 3.2, making it possible to connect several devices at the same time.

Processor: Intel Core i7 11390H
Memory: 16GB RAM
Screen size: 15.6 ″
Weight: 1.63 kg
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
GPU: Integrated graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Battery: Charge that lasts 8 hours in normal use.

ASUS ZenBook 13

If you are looking for a good notebook on USB-C, screen with vivid colors and high performance, the Asus ZenBook 13 it's a great choice. Its screen is 100% OLED, and offers more vivid colors in 1920×1080 quality. In addition, the device brings performance beyond normal thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U.

Your video card is also from AMD, and should deliver a good performance for those who work with rendering or even prefer to play games in their spare time. about entry USB-C, the notebook ASUS ZenBook 13 brings two entries USB-C 3.2 and an entry USB-A, giving you more opportunities to connect multiple devices at the same time.

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
Memory: 8GB RAM
Screen size: 13.3 ″
Weight: 1.14 kg
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics Integrated
Battery: Charge that lasts up to 13 hours in normal use

See also:

Did you know that the European Union forced the Apple to integrate USB-C into all its phones by 2024?

Sources: HP, DigitalTrends, PCMag, WindowsCentral