Explore Thunderbolt Connectivity in 2025

MOKIN GLOBAL

January 7, 2025

Thunderbolt Connectivity
Thunderbolt 1&2
Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt 4
Advantages of Thunderbolt 4
How to Pick
Recommended Products
Conclusion
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Thunderbolt Connectivity

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Thunderbolt is the brand name for a hardware interface designed to connect external peripherals to a host. Developed by Intel in partnership with Apple, it was originally marketed as Light Peak and made its debut in consumer products in 2011.

Thunderbolt combines PCI Express and DisplayPort into two serial signals and additionally provides DC power via a single cable. Both peripherals and computers require a controller. Two-port and one-port Thunderbolt controllers are the two varieties offered by Intel.

For transmission across two duplex Thunderbolt lanes, Thunderbolt controllers multiplex one or more individual data channels from linked PCIe and DisplayPort devices. They then de-multiplex the data lanes so that PCIe and DisplayPort devices on the other end can use them. Many Thunderbolt devices can serve as monitors if the host has a DisplayPort source, and a single Thunderbolt port can accommodate up to six Thunderbolt devices via hubs or daisy chains.

With components and flexible optical fiber cabling created by Intel partners and at Intel’s Silicon Photonics lab, the interface was originally designed to operate on an optical, physical layer. It was first marketed as Light Peak and then as Silicon Photonics Link after 2011. However, it was found that standard copper wiring could provide the desired 10 Gbit/s per channel at a lower price.

Apple and Intel collaborated to create this copper-based iteration of the Light Peak design. After registering Thunderbolt as a trademark, Apple gave the mark to Intel, which had the legal right to use it. Using the same Apple-developed connector as Mini DisplayPort, Thunderbolt was first made available for purchase on the 2011 MacBook Pro. Due to their inability to support double 4K monitors over Thunderbolt, some MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac models downgrade the Thunderbolt 4 protocol to Thunderbolt 3.

Thunderbolt 1&2

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Whereas Thunderbolt 3, 4, and 5 use the USB-C connector and support USB devices, Thunderbolt 1 and 2 adopt the same connector as Mini DisplayPort.

At the time, Thunderbolt 1 was faster than USB, operating at 10 Gbit/s. The second Thunderbolt version, which operates at 20 Gbit/s, was formally titled “Thunderbolt 2” and went into production in 2013, according to Microsoft’s June 2013 announcement. Joining the two current 10 Gbit/s channels allows for a data rate of 20 Gbit/s, which increases the flexibility of its use without altering the maximum bandwidth.

At the hardware level, the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 are similar, and Thunderbolt 1 is thus compatible with Thunderbolt 2 ports. At the logical level, Thunderbolt 2 offers channel aggregation, whereby the two formerly distinct 10 Gbit/s channels can be joined into a single 20 Gbit/s channel.

DisplayPort 1.2 capability, which Thunderbolt 2 has, enables video streaming to two QHD monitors or one 4K panel. All Thunderbolt cables and connections work with Thunderbolt 1 because Thunderbolt 2 is backward compatible.

Thunderbolt 3

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In addition to supporting USB 3.1 Gen 2 and sharing USB-C connectors, Thunderbolt 3 may need special “active” cables for optimal performance when the cable is longer than 0.5 meters.

Compared to Thunderbolt 2, it increases the bandwidth to 40 Gbit/s. Video data will consume every available speed, limiting PCIe data; the maximum total data rate is 40 Gbit/s. Up to four PCI Express 3.0 lanes for general-purpose data transfer and four DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3 lanes for video are supported. While DP 1.4 does not require support, DP 1.2 must. The Thunderbolt 3 protocol only offers 21.6 to 25 Gbit/s, and PCIe data may have additional overheads. The actual rate surpasses 40 Gbit/s after Thunderbolt 3 uses encoding.

Thunderbolt 4

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At CES 2020, Thunderbolt 4 was unveiled, and in July 2020, the final specification was made public. Support for two 4K displays, a minimum bandwidth requirement of 32 Gbit/s for PCIe links, and Intel VT-d-based direct memory access security to thwart physical DMA attacks are the main distinctions between Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3.

Another major improvement is that Thunderbolt 4 supports Thunderbolt Alternate Mode USB hubs and not just daisy chaining. The maximum bandwidth remains at 40 Gbit/s, the same as Thunderbolt 3 and four times as fast as USB 3.2 Gen 2x1.

Advantages of Thunderbolt 4

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Thunderbolt’s features enable daisy-chaining, a wiring method that connects multiple devices and hardware peripherals in a sequence or ring. Thunderbolt 4 supports daisy-chaining of up to six devices and peripherals. Examples include connecting five native Thunderbolt devices along with two Thunderbolt displays, six devices with one display using a mini-DisplayPort adapter, or five devices linked to a Thunderbolt display along with a mini-DisplayPort adapter.

Versatile Functionalities: It is compatible with various devices, including Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB-C, promoting seamless connectivity across different types of peripherals. It is compliant with USB4 specifications.

Multiple Displays: Thunderbolt 4 can drive up to two 4K displays or a single 8K display, making it ideal for creative professionals who require high-resolution output. Users can connect multiple Thunderbolt devices in a daisy chain configuration, reducing cable clutter and simplifying setups.

Fast Data Transfer: Thunderbolt 4 transports data, video and power with just one USB Type-C port at 40 Gbps speeds, especially for larger file transfer and efficient video handling.

Power Delivery: It supports power delivery of up to 100W, enabling the charging of laptops and other devices through the same cable used for data transfer. It helps in power savings as users can wake up their computers from sleep by touching a keyword or mouse when connected to the dock.

Enhanced Security: Thunderbolt 4 includes improved security features, such as Intel VT-d-based direct memory access protection, helping to safeguard against potential attacks.

Compatibility: It ensures wide use with current devices by being completely backward compatible with earlier Thunderbolt versions and USB standards.

Reversible Design: Thunderbolt 4 uses USB-C connectors, which are reversible and widely adopted, making it easier to connect devices.

How to Pick

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Ensure you select a certain type of Thunderbolt cable depending on your specific needs and your device’s compatibility. Consider what devices you will be connecting. If you need to connect monitors, ensure the cable supports the required video output.

While it might be tempting to opt for cheaper, non-certified options, investing in a high-quality, certified Thunderbolt cable can save you from potential headaches like data loss, slow performance, and hardware damage down the line.

Think about how your Thunderbolt docks will be used in the future. Purchasing a Thunderbolt 4 connection will help you get ready for future technological advancements by guaranteeing compatibility and peak performance with new devices, even if your existing gadgets do not fully utilize Thunderbolt 4.

Compatibility, performance, length, and power delivery capabilities are important factors that must be balanced when choosing an ideal Thunderbolt cable. By learning about the technology, evaluating your needs, and taking into account key features, you can make sure that your Thunderbolt cable improves your digital experience and provides dependable connectivity for all of your devices.

Recommended Products

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MOKiN 15-IN-1 Thunderbolt™ 4 Docking Station

https://mokinglobal.com/collections/docking-stations/products/mokin-15-in-1-thunderbolt-4-docking-station

MOKiN 16-IN-1 Thunderbolt™ 4 Laptop Docking Station

https://mokinglobal.com/collections/hot-sale-product/products/mokin-16-in-1-thunderbolt%E2%84%A2-4-laptop-docking-station

Conclusion

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Thunderbolt technology provides an exceptional range of features, offering the easiest, most dependable, and fastest cable solution for connecting to power and your preferred accessories.