USB-C vs Thunderbolt 4 - The Differences Explained In Under 5 Minutes!

[@enossifiedossified3145]

I wish people would use the proper description of USB-C. It’s a connector type. It’s NOT a protocol! Thunderbolt 4 is a protocol that uses a USB-C connector. USB 4 is a protocol that uses a USB-C connector. I own one USB2 device that has a USB-C port.

[@soulkeeper6400]

its funny that everyone thought usb c will remove cable confusion but it created an even bigger confusion

[@SoulOfTech]

Yeah its a messy affair.

[@Aperez]

This is why I can’t accept USB-C as the ultimate replacement if they have to make us deal with this convoluted mess they threw them all in. That’s why Thunderbolt will bring me the real and true USB-C connection I need, especially when they’re now being expanded to Windows PCs and more.

[@jdillon8360]

I think for the average user it's not really that confusing. Basically you plug stuff in and it works. At the tech nerd level, we might complain about different levels of power delivery or data transfer rates. But for most folks, if the cable looks right, it will fit the port, and if it fits the port, it will do the thing.

[@passionatetechnology8306]

@@jdillon8360 no, not really J. Docks and peripherals for computers typically use thunderbolt 3 and 4 nowadays. If a user has a usb c for their phone or tablet or computer, this throughout for charging on usb C does not necessarily support what is needed for Thunderbolt. Thus, a user will not be able to use said cable for their usb c/Thunderbolt Dock. Many docks do not make it clear what is thunderbolt compatible and what is strictly usb 2 speeds over usb c. It would help if docks and connections of all types had to have a symbol on them indicating that this is Thunderbolt or USB C strictly always.

[@ggalloway1]

​@@passionatetechnology8306How many average users have docking stations for their personal computer equipment? (not work provided stuff)

[@dameanvil]

05:05 💻 All USB-C ports share basic features: reversible design, data transfer (10-20 Gbps), and at least 15W power delivery. 07:36 🖥 Some USB-C ports have added functionalities like DisplayPort for audio/video signals and Power Delivery for up to 100W charging. 09:59 ⚡ Thunderbolt 4 ports offer advanced features: 40 Gbps data transfer, support for multiple displays, and up to 100W power delivery. 12:03 🏷 Manufacturers label ports for easy identification, but checking product specifications online can also clarify port functionalities.

[@AbdulBasit0044]

Literally, was looking for this information today. Well explained. Keep up the good work.

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad I could help!

[@joshuadalton6063]

Great vid, thanks for talking about tunderbold ports :)

[@SoulOfTech]

No worries!

[@ricrocren]

Great video. Concise, clear, helpful. Thanks!

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thefanboy3285]

Thank you for that guide. I was a bit confused what thunderbolt is vs usb c. Guess I was not the only one

[@SoulOfTech]

No worries! Lots of people are confused by it.

[@kike117]

Thanks for the information you are the best, this is exactly what I was looking for

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@loveag83grover]

Does the thunderbolt need a specific type-C cable that can actually handle the data flow and power delivery ? I am sure any random TypeC cable might not be able to handle a thunderbolt port?

[@brianseay8460]

So regardless of what port, am I safe getting a thunderbolt 4 cable that would be compatible with all ports? just different speeds depending on port?

[@Isha048]

Thank you, you explained very well, it's me that I'm not into the technology, so I'm asking you a question. In my pc I found out that I have a Thunderbolt 4 port, and a USB C port. I have 4 old USB 3.0 HDs, but only 2 ports. I realized that a Thunderbolt docking station is very expensive, so my question is... can I connect a USB C docking station (less expensive) to the Thunderbolt 4 port, or it's useless and I should use just the USB C port? I hope to get an answer, because I'm quite confused about, thanks.

[@c.l.mcintosh624]

Thank you for your video. So my question is would I use a Thunderbolt 4 Port, and a Thunderbolt 4 cable to connect to an external type C SSD harddrive?

[@abbyboyone]

Great video. Answered my questions. 👍

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad I could help!

[@djphat1736]

If I am not mistaken. Thunderbolt has a controller chip. Where as USB-(any) works through the CPU (x86 or ARM). Similar to Firewire back in the day. Which had similar speeds to USB of the time, but actually was faster in real use since it had a controller and didn't depend on the CPU for everything. Also Thunderbolt is connected to the GPU for display, while USB is via the CPU (again). So there are more limitations with USB. USB 4 can fix some or all of this, but that will depend on how it's implemented.

[@grjlynch]

Very helpful thank you - of course TB4 is so much more expencive!

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Chris-zu4es]

can I replace all my cables with thunderbolt cables? is there different types of thunderbolt? which one shall I get if I want to replace all cables I have?

[@T-sl6wcG]

So I am actually in the market for a new laptop. I was looking at MacBook Air with a M3 chip....but it says it has 2 thunderbolt 4 ports. I'm also looking into getting docking stations for home and at work to be able to dock my laptop so I can use the desktop monitors I have. My question is, what do I need to be looking for as far as compatibility for the docking station and a Macbook (really any laptop, I have settled yet on apple). Most of the docking stations I see say they are compatible with USB-C. Based on your video, can I safely assume that docking port in question is in fact compatible with a thunderbolt port? Thanks in advance

[@teddyboamah]

Thank you for this video

[@SoulOfTech]

My pleasure

[@crawford323]

Very Cleanly done.

[@SoulOfTech]

Thank you!

[@WushuTaz]

Do you need a special thunderbolt cable to connect two thunderbolt compatible devices to take advantage of the extra speed? Or will a regular USB-C cable work between the devices fine with the Thunderbolt higher speeds?

[@passionatetechnology8306]

You need a usb C cable that is Thunderbolt compatible. You will also want to know what version of Thunderbolt your peripherals support.

[@jimchallender4616]

Where did you find the USB-C vs Thunderbolt chart

[@sasukegre]

Thank you man, finally a quick consise explanation

[@SoulOfTech]

Thanks for watching :)

[@shvtmyeyes]

Thank you for explaining :)

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dharkbizkit]

big question for me is compability: will a thunderbolt 4 port accept ANY usb device i have, even if i plug an older usb 2 stick onto a usb c adapter and stick it in the laptop?

[@agus1960]

Great info! Thank you. Do you know if I can use the USB C Thunderbolt ports in my HP Spectre 360 laptop 16 inch, to charge it?(e.g. with a power bank). The PC came with a barreled plug for a wall AC charger, but when I am away I need to count on a power bank. Thank you

[@PakeSalmon]

That was good thanks!

[@SoulOfTech]

No problem!

[@eliashibpowerministries7360]

Very good! Thank you so much!!

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad you liked it!

[@AshishMassey]

Can you connect a USB-C dock in the Thunderbolt 4 port (the new Mac mini)?

[@GrandMufti123]

Thank you for the explanation!

[@SoulOfTech]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@seviswitzerland3470]

Thank you, very helpful !

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RockIslandYT]

if bought a device (UAD Quad) that runs on Thunderbolt, and my PC doesn't have Thunderbolt compatibility - I won't be able to use this device, correct?

[@charlesnazare7358]

Well done! Great explanation!

[@SoulOfTech]

Thank you :)

[@user-ug6ox4pu6q]

Will you benefit from a USB4/Thunderbolt4 cable that can transfer 40 Gbps at 15 feet, instead of the 6 feet?

[@hotfrankard]

This has absolutely solved my confusion 😂.

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad to hear!

[@varunsuresh6925]

Can we charge the laptop with the a phone charger if it has Thunderbolt 4??

[@nowandrew4442]

Does anyone know whether USB4 standard will officially and fully support 3.2. Gen 2x2? That's the 20Gbps variant that showed up almost nowhere.

[@phr3ui559]

hey at 2:42 where is this table from?

[@RollingStonesPhoto]

I get that the ports for USB C and Thunderbolt 4 are oval, but do I need a special Thundebolt 4 Cable to get thunderbolt 4 functionality to my Thunderbolt 4 external device? Are the cables different or can a USB C cable work for Thunderbolt 4 devices?

[@mmmk7397]

USB C cables are compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and above. To get 100% functionality, you will need the appropriate cord for the port.

[@cris9000]

thank you so much. great video.

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cris9000]

it really was. i'm thinking of setting up a home docking station for my new macbook pro and was massively overwhelmed by the range of docks and hubs with hundreds of thousands of different ports, some of which are the same, but then they're still not. USB 3.1 gen 1, USB 3.2 gen 1, USB 3.1 gen 2, USB 3.2 gen 2 and all that bullshit with different speeds. thunderbolt 3, thunderbolt 4. thunderbolt can do everything USB-C can do, but not the other way around. seriously????? just make ONE damn port and one universal cable for everything. but that's unlikely to happen while i'm alive. god i sound like my own grandfather already. rant over.

[@mr88cet]

Nice quick summary! Thanks. (0:51 - Hmmm… Aren’t “up-side down” and “down-side up” the same? Never mind…)

[@SoulOfTech]

They are haha, just a verbal cramp tbh.

[@nickplays2022]

3:18 USB3 can deliver only 4.5 W?

[@2010jalvarez]

What is the brand/model of that laptop shown at 2:01 and 2:49?

[@kirkh4205]

USB-C is the shape of the connector. As is USB-A. That nomenclature doesn't reference the cable's bandwidth in any way, shape or form. Whether you have a TB3 or TB4 cable is determined by how much bandwidth it supports. So one cannot actually analyze or compare "usb-c vs thunderbolt".

[@SoulOfTech]

Yup you’re correct 👍🏽 I trust you watched the video as that is exactly what it explains 😊

[@tekharthazenyatta2310]

Can somebody please give a simple answer to this simple question? Can I plug in a usb-c cable (male) to Thunderbolt 4 (female)? I bought a usb-c (male) to hdmi (female) adapter, but I couldn't seem to plug it into the Thunderbolt 4 port.

[@sabrisalleh4959]

Great video sir🎉

[@SoulOfTech]

Thanks 👍

[@bredpitt9072]

I can recommend you to have a triple whiskey and a few Pall Malls non filters for a lower voice. It’s very high at the peaks and hits the eardrums like child’s cry.

[@Agatonga]

🎉

[@russellandrady]

Do you think how many usb 2.0 devices can plug to one thunderbalt port using a hub? Earlier I used a laptop that had 2.0 ports. But my new laptop has a thunderbalt port.

[@AngeAlexiel]

I knew usb C and thunderbolt were different , but not to this extent, I've always thought that is was Apple who " created and used " lightning and thunderbolt ports but apparently you can sometimes have these ports on Pc laptops too . good to know . one thing is weird thought I have a M2 pro with 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports and a studio display with one Thunderbolt 4 and 3 USBC ports , Apple advice to hook up the Mac to the thunderbolt port on the display but I've noticed that I works perfectly even if I plug the mini to any of the USB C ports too ... do I loose something by doing this ?

[@tweedledee4922]

Thunderbolt port was invented by Intel.

[@AngeAlexiel]

@@tweedledee4922 I didn't day the opposite , lol , just the Apple was the first to implement USB C in 2015 in full compliance with the standard at the time , only Nokia did a tablet before the release of the MacBooks , but it's USB C port was limited. so I thank Apple to have standardized it , in a way to make it universal , ( we need to remember all the criticism they got because we needed dongles .. who cares now to buy a dongle if needed ? no one...

[@tweedledee4922]

@@AngeAlexiel ha! They weren't the first to implement it they were forced to implement it because it was already the standard. big difference.

[@AngeAlexiel]

@@tweedledee4922 in 2015 on macbook pro it as a standard ?? you joking me, i agree about the iphone 15 , but just know that apple shove thunderbolt port in 2015 on their macbooks and macbook pro and we were force to use dongles at the time cos barely nothing existed with this standard... i remember this cos i had a MBP from 2017...

[@poppers7317]

Somtimes on PC laptops? Which new laptop comes without any thunderbolt ports?

[@ahaua1]

Thank you! You answered my question.

[@SoulOfTech]

Glad to help!

[@ossamaelnady8204]

My new Alienware M15 R7 has TB 4 .. so, It should support power delivery and i have to be able to recharge it using a usb type C. Right?!

[@DTPIIXART]

So if I want to use Samsung's 57 inch ultra wide screen monitor which is basically two 4K monitors side by side in one, then I should be able to do that if I get a new laptop that has a thunderbolt 4 port, is that right? That is if I want to eliminate cable clutter as much as possible without uaing any other video put device lile a docking station?

[@nickplays2022]

The 3 times days aren’t gone for those who still have a desktop PC with a DVD-ROM

[@SoulOfTech]

Well to be fair even most new machines still have USB-A ports so Im sure those pains won't truly be gone for a few more years :(

[@deenpc_life]

if I want to connect my Macbook Air M1 to a 4K monitor, what cable should I use

[@USA95]

Great imformation. 👍 I

[@SoulOfTech]

Thanks!

[@pritam_kaushik]

Are thunderbolt 3 cables going to be compatible/useful for thunderbolt 4 ports?

[@TATATRANNY]

Thunderbolt™ 4 technology is backward compatible with Thunderbolt™ 3 technology, and users can connect cross-generational computers and accessories interchangeably.

[@Caleb-xf5yn]

I have a 2015 Macbook Pro with 2 thunderbolt ports, and they look nothing like what you have shown

[@SoulOfTech]

You likely have Thunderbolt 1 or 2 (older generation ports).

[@Scott__C]

Your title is confusing to start with. USB-C is a connector type, not a protocol, while Thunderbolt 4 is a protocol. USB-C connector doesn't guarantee the faster speeds. Many devices have a USB-C port but only operate at USB 2.0 protocol because of the device's controller chipset.

[@SoulOfTech]

Hey thanks for your comment. A couple of things: 1. The video title is based on what people search for or ask for the most, an uninformed person may not know the difference between a connector and protocol as they operate from the same physical port. 2. The video explains very clearly in the first 2 minutes what a Type-C connector is. 3. The protocols are there after explained as well there TB4 is explicitly called a "Standard" not a port. All of your points are elaborated on in the video, hope this helps!

[@Scott__C]

@@SoulOfTech Sorry if I was unclear or seemed like a criticism of the video, which of course, reading back I see how it came across that way. I thought the video was good at explaining it, I was just talking about the title really and to give something brief about it. I've seen a number of videos where they use USB-C and the protocols of USB interchangeably. I get why you titled it that way, but I think it can also lead some to still use them interchangeably. Thanks for helping out the explanations for folks!

[@sva8420]

nice explain

[@SoulOfTech]

Thanks for liking

[@traxx650]

what is mit?

[@brentsmithline3423]

You did not talk about the cable. In my case I like to keep things simple. That is why I always purchase ThunderBolt 4 cables as the ThunderBolt/USB standards are backwards compatible. This way my devices when plugged together with a ThunderBolt 4 cable will always work at the fastest data, and power rates. KISS

[@mfkhan4238]

Thanms Dera

[@SoulOfTech]

Thank you

[@mfkhan4238]

Thank you Dear

[@SoulOfTech]

Ty!

[@Errcyco]

thank you.

[@SoulOfTech]

You're welcome

[@67anandhuss58]

I have usb 3.2 Gen 2 type c port Can I use it connect a external display?

[@DarkZerol]

The USB-C port including the port in your display that you want to output to must support USB video output (either Thunderbolt or DisplayPort) not to mention you must use a USB cable that is able to support either Thunderbolt or DisplayPort.

[@ljordan3680]

Great

[@SoulOfTech]

nope

[@cloudbase7799]

I would like to find a dock with 4 downstream USB-C PD + DP alt mode ports to drive something like 4 UPERFECT 13.3" 1080P displays, which are rated for 6W power consumption. I would like to power and drive each display with a single cable. No luck so far...

[@phr3ui559]

ok

[@cloudbase7799]

@@phr3ui559 LOL

[@IUsedToBeAPygmy]

Standards are great, everyone can invent their own

[@SoulOfTech]

Yes it can a abused concept sometimes, though thunderbolt has been around for sometime.

[@partypao]

For dumb users like me, as this wasn't clear in the video: USB 3 and USB 4 is USB-C

[@SoulOfTech]

You're not dumb! Though it is worth noting USB 3 can be a USB-A or USB-C port. USB4 is always a type C.

[@markcollard9326]

@0:04 why is the top one wrong, it looks identical to the bottom one which is labeled right?

[@hope4hadezgaming15]

That's the joke. Have you ever tried to plug in a USB device and you plug it in the right way but it doesn't go in so you flip it over, try again, and it doesn't go in, so you flip it back over and it magically works? This is that experience in a simple image.

[@hope4hadezgaming15]

Also aren't you the guy that from that zoo keeping channel who put the snake in his butt and had his cousin film it while you made pancakes in the garage? I recognize the name. Anyway, I hope that explanation I provided about the USB devices helps.

[@markcollard9326]

Incorrect, zero videos. It must be a common thing for you to remember incorrectly.@@hope4hadezgaming15

[@DerikTran]

what happens if you accidentally plug a USB-C cable into a thunder bolt 3 connector? would it still charge the device or damage it?

[@SoulOfTech]

Nothing bad will happen, it will just charge it at the base 15w rate.

[@JimJuno]

If I was to buy a thunderbolt usb c to usb c and plug it in to my pc and of the connected devices isn't thunderbolt ready is it harmful for that device to attach a tunderbolt cable to it?

[@passionatetechnology8306]

No, it is not harmful. Thunderbolt supports all the features where your typical usb C is equipped for power delivery only.

[@matorix003]

4:13 dieser Kommentarbereich ist nun Staatseigentum der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 🇩🇪

[@markcollard9326]

Nitpicking, upside-down is identical to downside-up.

[@SoulOfTech]

Hey, yup you’re right! It was a verbal error, happens time to time when trying to keep all the details in your head while talking. Thanks for watching!

[@markcollard9326]

Thank you for responding so kindly to me, I hope I would do the same in a similar situation. I was not being as polite as I should have been, Thanks for the video and reply.@@SoulOfTech

[@ChickenPermissionOG]

the standard should not be optional

[@SoulOfTech]

Not all processors support TB4 so in many cases its more so a hardware limitation than an artificial once placed by the manufacture.

[@ChickenPermissionOG]

@@SoulOfTech thats why you get cables that do not support all of usb type c because the standard has optional parts that the manufacture can choose to not support instead of being required

[@ARCT3CH]

Tunderboat

[@SoulOfTech]

Hopefully I was able to provide you with helpful information beyond just mockery of my accent. Thanks for watching :)

[@ARCT3CH]

@@SoulOfTech Oh heavenly days yes your video was actually quite helpful!

[@choppergirl]

I destroyed my USB-C ports like the 5th time I used them. You're trying to jam that little tab male connector into any hole you can find that fits on the back of your case blind and there is no telling how much other stuff you damage. Worst connector ever for the blind and visually impaired, or if you have to plug them in the dark or when you can't see what's going on as a normal person.

[@Tekz12]

The symbol for Thunderbolt is a lightning bolt. ⚡😄

[@SoulOfTech]

Yup

[@cloudbase7799]

Thunderclap wouldn't brand as well and there's no simple and easily- or universally-recognizable symbol for thunderclap... :)

[@DingleBerryschnapps]

Plug in 3 times? Usb c is a complicated affair? Huh? 🤷

[@JohnPMiller]

"The Differences Explained In OVER 5 Minutes."

[@SoulOfTech]

Thanks for keeping track John :)

[@bornimaker]

I have a notebook with usb-c and a thunderbolt sign ⚡️ So I thought, yes its time for graphic power… I bought an eGPU (rtx 3060) and a Razer Core X. For this to work I need like 20Gbits of speed. „Thunderbolt supports this. So everything fine. I thought…“ Nope my USB-C ⚡️ is limited to 5Gbits. Thanks for nothing…

[@GeoffereyEakinsTech]

My buddy keeps plugging phones into USB C bricks for laptops and wonders why they keep dying. Talk about problems and explaining to people why this port that is supposed to be universal, is not. Then the consumer blames the device for dying. 😂 NOT the fact that they plugged a phone into a 65w charger. To make matters worse many manufactures stopped providing a charger to match devices specs.

[@Errcyco]

@@GeoffereyEakinsTech that’s not at all how it works. The new 65w chargers use multiple PD and PPS voltages to “handshake” with the cable and device to give it the charge it requests.. it’s the future and it works great on newer type-c stuff for fast charging. And, if it’s an older type-c device you’re trying to charge? It will default to 5v/1.4amp like all the chargers from 2010-2019 did for regular/slow charge. It’s a good idea to get a 65w-100w GaN brick and start updating all your type-c cables to USB4 USB-IF certified. Amazon Basics makes a great one for $10. It can charge anything from 5w-240w and can do data up to 40gb/sec. I can’t blame you for thinking how you do, this is all happened super fast and if you don’t actively look this stuff up and tinker you’d never know it. Manufacturers need to get better at explaining this stuff, they’d just make more money and the overall switch to a better product worldwide would move much faster. Anyways.. sorry for the rant. Hope it helps man n

[@bernielomax4702]

I’ve never heard of tunder Burt port.

[@SoulOfTech]

That made me chuckle 🤭

[@jacksonville4932]

My real question is, why TF to TB2 Devices not work on TB4, but they work on TB3 no problem? This is bullshit

[@SoulOfTech]

It is on Apple hardware, its unfortunately not the case with windows hardware.

[@TheSonoranSniper]

0:51 who's gonna tell him he just repeated himself trying to sound smart

[@SoulOfTech]

When you are trying to condense so much information in a few minutes sometimes obvious things like that slip your tongue. Thanks for telling me though :)

[@shreyasnitnaware3564]

supari nikalke baat karnare baba😂

[@johnnydied9563]

"a traditional USBC port is not powerful enough to charge laptops" Then explain how my laptop was charged by one?

[@SoulOfTech]

Its impossible to explain anything when all I have to work with is the sentence above...

[@johnnydied9563]

@@SoulOfTechOkay so what else should I provide so you can better understand how it was possible for me to charge a laptop with a USBC charger that was designed for the use of charging phones? Well, I suppose I could provide the information that it was a Lenovo laptop that I charged with that charger I can also say provide information that I did technically get I believe it was a warning message when I charged it another piece of information, I have that it was charged recently with that charger and I believe the laptop still works (also thanks dude for responding to my question).

[@walterbushell7029]

False. I have a hard drive with a 3.0 input nothing like any shown above.

[@SoulOfTech]

USB-C is not the only standard that is on version 3.0. USB-A can also achieve 3.0 standards.

[@cafinario]

With 8 minutes you wouldn’t have to run…

[@SoulOfTech]

With 12 I would not have to walk :) But then people would say Im going too slow haha. 5 minutes is the ideal attention span for such content.

[@ltraltier6009]

hey look, a punjabi who can speak english. Thunderbolt 3 does not work with VR USB C to displayport 1.2 adapters for VR headsets.

[@SoulOfTech]

A little off on the geography but I’ll take the compliment :)

[@Ryker150]

"Itʼs a messy affair"