What it is, how it differs from USB-C and which Mac models it is compatible with

Not all USB-C ports are the same. And although it may seem that it is the same connector and the same cable that is used, after this connection standard There are several types of connectivity that change (and much more) the transfer speed and the number of displays you can connect.

Macs have always been at the forefront of connectivity, being pioneers in eliminating floppy disks, CD drives, traditional USB ports… With the arrival of USB-C, everything has become a standard. ANDThe first USB-C arrived in 2015 with the MacBook, an advanced device for the time. Now we come to the Thunderbolt 5 standard, which on the outside looks like USB-C, but on the inside is very, very different.

What is Thunderbolt 5?

Thunderbolt 5 is the latest generation of connectivity developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple. It was presented in 2023, but this is not the case until nowwith the Mac mini M4 Pro, when we saw it implemented for the first time on a Mac. This new version brings unprecedented data transfer speeds and supports up to three external displays in the case of the Mac mini M4 Pro.

Thunderbolt 5 Key Features

• Transfer speed: Thunderbolt 5 offers data transfers of up to 120 Gb/s, more than twice the performance of Thunderbolt 4.
• Asymmetric transmission mode– Achieves speeds of up to 120Gbps in a single direction, ideal for connecting high-resolution monitors.
• Charging power– Can deliver up to 240W of power, enough to charge high-performance laptops.

Thunderbolt 5 vs USB-C: the main differences

It is important to clarify that USB-C is a type of physical connector, while Thunderbolt is a data transfer protocol. The USB-C connector is used for both USB and Thunderbolt. This can be confusing because it appears to be the same connection from the outside.

Basically, this is a big step forward, since before, each time we changed connectors, it was a new shape. Now we at least know that all our cables will be compatible and, at most, that they will not take advantage of their full potential. Therefore, even if our Mac is compatible with Thunderbolt 5, we can use a very basic USB-C cable. The speed will be lower, it will not support as many screens, but we will never find ourselves without being able to connect something, as has happened in the past.

Therefore, the main advantages of Thunderbolt 5 over USB-C are higher data transfer speeds, asymmetric transmission, higher charging power and support for more monitors .

Mac compatibility: Thunderbolt generations and technologies

If you have any doubts about which type of Thunderbolt or USB-C connection your Mac has, the following table will clear your doubts. We have added the most recent models, since the USB-C connection has been widespread on Macs since 2018.

The Thunderbolt 5 port is available exclusively on the Mac mini M4 Pro Surely. The next MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip will also include this new connection. Of course, compatible accessories are needed on the other side, whether it’s an SSD hard drive or a Thunderbolt 5 cable.

Nowadays this can seem like a very “exclusive” thing. But it’s always best to start implementing these types of connections as early as possible, so that when you buy a new Mac you still have the option to do so. latest technologies available. Especially for more professional users.

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