What is Thunderbolt 3 ?

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What is the Thunderbolt 3 interface?

   Thunderbolt is a new computer port that Intel introduced in 2011, called "Thunderbolt"

   Thunderbolt technology was designed by Intel in 2009 and named "Light Peak" (the Thunderbolt development code). Thunderbolt was originally developed to replace and unify the numerous expansion interfaces on the computer. SCSI, SATA, USB, FireWire and PCI Express.

   First of all, Thunderbolt ? 3 is not an interface. As we know, the USB interface (Type A, B, etc.) and the recently popular USB Type C interface belong to the name of the interface. But USB2.0, USB3.0, and USB3.1 are related communication protocols. Thunderbolt is also a communication protocol

   This just like USB data cable, USB2.0, USB3.0, USB3.1, these are the protocol; Mini USB, USB Micro B, USB Type A, Type B, Type C, these are the interface names

   The predecessor of Thunderbolt 2 is Thunderbolt, and the predecessor of Thunderbolt is minidisplay port. All three ports look the same and can even be "inter-plugged". A monitor with a minidisplay port can be plugged into Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt t2 and can output video directly. Earlier macbooks (before 2010) had a mini display port that only output video, no audio and no data.

   The 2011-2013 Macbook uses Thunderbolt, which can output video, audio, and data. There is a Thunderbolt mobile hard disk on the market, which is very fast and has no difference with the built-in hard disk speed.

   After 2014, the macbook began to be equipped with Thunderbol 2, which is twice as fast as Thunderbolt, and the others have not changed. In addition, all Thunderbot support "series", that is to say, if a Thunderbolt interface display or mobile hard disk, there are two Thunderbolt interface, Then you can use two cables to connect three devices (a Thunderbol interface mobile hard disk, a Thunderbolt interface display, a macbook) in series, the display can work normally, and the mobile hard disk can also be read and written normally.

   Since the beginning of the USB Type C interface, ThunderboltTM 3 has abandoned the Mini DisplayPort and has been replaced by the compact Type C interface.

   Compared with the first and second generation products, ThunderBolt3 has crossed a big step, not only has made a major breakthrough in technology, but also has a considerable improvement in compatibility and adaptability. In order to provide the ultimate transmission speed, ThunderBolt3 bandwidth reaches up to 40Gb/s, which is 8 times that of USB3.0 and 4 times that of USB3.1.

   Thanks to the increased bandwidth, ThunderBolt3 can support two 4K, or one 5K display, and can transfer a 4K movie in less than 30 seconds.

   Thunderbolt 3 also provides greater power to the device, supports 100W of power, and can charge devices up to 15W.

   Combined with the USB Type C interface, it can be said to be one of the perfect interface standards. In addition to its ultra-fast speed, it is also the only interface standard that combines display transmission, data transmission, and 100W power supply. In other words, whether it is connected to a display, external storage, external graphics, or charging a laptop, Get everything done on the same cable

   The Thunderbolt 3 interface differs from the TYPE C in that the Thunderbolt 3 interface has a lightning bolt on the surface of the USB Type C interface, meaning support for the ThunderboltTM 3 protocol.

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