What It Is: Thunderbolt is a versatile interface that combines data, video, and power into a single connection. It is known for its high-speed capabilities and support for daisy-chaining multiple devices.
Versions:
• Thunderbolt 1: Supports up to 10 Gbps data transfer and uses the Mini DisplayPort (MDP) connector.
• Thunderbolt 2: Upgrades data transfer to 20 Gbps while still using the MDP connector.
• Thunderbolt 3: Switches to USB-C connector, supports up to 40 Gbps, and includes support for USB-C features like power delivery and video output.
• Thunderbolt 4: Offers the same 40 Gbps speed as Thunderbolt 3 but with stricter requirements for compatibility and additional features.
• Thunderbolt 5: Offers double the Thunderbolt 4 data transfer speed at 80 Gbps, which allows support for higher resolution displays, and improved performance for demanding tasks like 8K video editing or gaming with external GPUs.
Product Example: For high-speed connectivity, check out the Monoprice Thunderbolt 4 Cable, 1m, Intel Certified, USB4 Certified. It supports 40 Gbps data transfer, video output, and power delivery.