It looks like USB-C, but this symbol changes everything

At first look, a Thunderbolt port seems to be simply the identical as any previous USB-C port. Identical form, identical cable, identical satisfying click on while you plug one thing in. However that small lightning bolt image subsequent to the port alerts one thing very totally different occurring beneath the hood.

In the direction of the top of 2025, I purchased a brand new laptop computer and was reminded of how extremely helpful Thunderbolt ports are, particularly the newest iteration, Thunderbolt 5.

What’s attention-grabbing is that, externally, nothing seems to be particular. However in actuality, that tiny lightning symbol unlocks faster speeds, in depth show help, and {hardware} choices unavailable to an everyday USB-C port.

Thunderbolt is a type of bits of tech that you just may not know you are utilizing, however while you do, you will by no means need to cease. With that mentioned, I’ve one main gripe with Thunderbolt that, for the lifetime of me, I can’t perceive why they do not repair!

It seems to be like USB-C, nevertheless it’s manner higher

The lightning image modifications all the pieces

Credit score: Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

The confusion between USB-C and Thunderbolt is comprehensible. All of the tech goes by the connector, USB-C, nevertheless it would not truly utterly clarify what the port can do.

A fundamental USB-C port helps charging and knowledge switch, and may probably deal with high-speed knowledge switch and better ranges of energy supply. Nonetheless, at a look, the port usually would not inform you what you are getting; it is mainly guesswork more often than not. And that is before you even consider the problems with USB-C roulette.

Thunderbolt is an ordinary constructed on prime of USB-C. If you see the lightning image on a USB-C port, it exhibits that it conforms to a unique, strict set of necessities. The usual covers pace, connectivity, show help, growth playing cards, energy supply, and extra.

The newest model of the usual, Thunderbolt 5, is a large leap from what the essential USB-C port can supply… relying on the USB era. This is the factor: USB-C is a connector. It may well solely work with the specs of the USB era it is constructed to work with, i.e., a USB-C cable that makes use of USB 3.0 or USB4.

That is an important factor to recollect when attempting to determine the entire USB-C, USB 3/4, Thunderbolt confusion.

Thunderbolt is quick

It isn’t all about pace, nevertheless it’s a giant a part of it

A core a part of what makes Thunderbolt so good is pace. It is sooner than USB 3.x and USB4, and by a substantial distance.

Thunderbolt 5 affords 80Gbps bi-directional throughput. Extra importantly, it may possibly dynamically enhance bandwidth as much as 120Gbps in a single path when shows want it.

That does not simply imply sooner file transfers. It means the connection can intelligently prioritise what you are doing — whether or not that is pushing pixels to high-resolution screens, feeding knowledge to ultra-fast exterior storage, or working a number of gadgets by a single dock.

For instance, the newest USB normal, USB4, helps speeds of as much as 40Gbps. However you are not assured to get that. Moreover, USB4 implementations aren’t required to hit that pace, as it is the theoretical most. USB4 truly is available in two tiers (20Gbps and 40Gbps), and on condition that it is tough for gadgets to hit that prime pace, most producers do not hassle together with help.

However in the event you see the Thunderbolt image, you realize you are assured the quickest speeds allowed by the usual (40Gbps for Thunderbolt 4, as much as 80Gbps for Thunderbolt 5).

Show connectivity is the massive recreation changer

Thunderbolt sweeps the ground right here

Credit score: Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

Except for pace, show help is likely one of the largest variations between Thunderbolt and different USB requirements.

Common USB-C show output makes use of what’s referred to as DisplayPort Alt Mode. It is an elective implementation, and it is not persistently utilized throughout ports and cables. Some USB-C ports help one exterior show, some help two, and refresh charges or resolutions can drop unexpectedly while you join a dock.

Thunderbolt removes that uncertainty and is designed to work successfully with all trendy shows, and all that by a single cable.

• A number of 4K shows at excessive refresh charges: Thunderbolt 5 can drive as much as three 4K screens at 144 Hz from a single port on suitable programs.
• 8K shows: Twin 8K shows at 60 Hz are possible over a single Thunderbolt 5 connection.
• Bandwidth to match: Thunderbolt 5 delivers as much as 80 Gbps bidirectional bandwidth, with a “Bandwidth Enhance” that may push video-focused site visitors to ~120 Gbps a method — this further headroom is what lets these large shows work easily.
• DisplayPort 2.1 help: Thunderbolt 5 integrates DisplayPort 2.1 Alt Mode, enabling it to natively carry very high-resolution video alerts like 8K@60 Hz and even 4K@240 Hz with compression (DSC) on appropriate {hardware}.

With Thunderbolt 5, show help is a part of the assured spec, which implies you get predictable behaviour — particularly essential on docks or multi-monitor setups.

Exterior gadget help can be unmatched

Sooner and extra secure, with higher bandwidth

Now, the opposite big enchancment you get from Thunderbolt is PCIe help. PCIe is the expertise inside elements use to speak with the system. Thunderbolt tunnels PCIe over a USB-C cable, which provides you a a lot wider vary of supported exterior {hardware}.

For instance, you may run a strong exterior GPU over Thunderbolt and be assured you will truly get the correct knowledge switch speeds. Equally, exterior NVMe SSDs will ship their correct knowledge charges, which might generally be tough to realize with an everyday USB connection.

As a part of that, although, Thunderbolt can even deal with a number of high-bandwidth gadgets concurrently. Thunderbolt allocates its bandwidth dynamically, which lets you run exterior storage, a number of shows, peripherals, and extra, with out experiencing the dreaded knowledge drop-off you get with USB.

Associated

I’ve ignored these symbols on my USB ports for so long and now I regret it

These tiny USB symbols reveal greater than you assume.

Thunderbolt does have some downsides

It isn’t with out difficulty

Like something in life, Thunderbolt is not good. It has just a few points and quirks that it’s worthwhile to learn about.

My largest gripe is one thing that additionally impacts USB-C: you may’t inform what model of Thunderbolt you are utilizing at a look. My laptop computer has Thunderbolt 4 ports, however the image is simply the usual lightning bolt. I do know the specs as a result of I purchased this laptop computer, however in the event you’re approaching a brand new gadget and have not learn the spec sheet, there is no such thing as a approach to inform at a look.

It is also costlier, full cease. In case your gadget helps Thunderbolt, you are most likely paying a premium for it. For all the great that Thunderbolt brings to your gadget, the additional tech specification provides overhead, improvement time, necessities, and so forth. And whereas Thunderbolt license-holder Intel (which developed Thunderbolt with Apple) dropped its licensing price with Thunderbolt 3, something utilizing the tech should strictly adhere to the requirements.

That very same value additionally applies to Thunderbolt-supported screens. Count on to pay just a few hundred bucks extra for a Thunderbolt-enabled display than for one which helps solely USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode.

Both manner, Thunderbolt is an excellent useful addition to your laptop computer or motherboard, and I do know I would a lot slightly have it than not, even with the additional prices.