macmarcommgr

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  • Intel details Thunderbolt 4 spec, but 'Apple silicon' support is unclear [u]

    macmarcommgrmacmarcommgr
    As a standard, Thunderbolt in all its iterations is an abject failure for two reasons: No affordable devices supported it and the selection was extremely limited. Thunderbolt was only found on external SSD drives that cost about twice as much as the USB 3 versions and often offered little additional performance. USB on the other hand has been a staggering success. When people purchase a new computer, the first thing they often look for is how many USB C 3.2 ports they offer. It works with everything (including Thunderbolt) and is frequently updated with additional speed/features. The only thing you have to watch out for are shady cables on Amazon (pay a bit extra and buy from a reputable brand). If you really want Thunderbolt, buy an add in card for your Mac Pro.
    "As a standard, Thunderbolt in all its iterations is an abject failure for two reasons"
    The number of available Thunderbolt devices per generation has continued to increase; abject failures don't fall up.

    "    Thunderbolt was only found on external SSD drives that cost about twice as much as the USB 3 versions and often offered little additional performance."
    • Visit thunderbolttechnology.net to get an idea of the array of available Thunderbolt 3 devices; external SSDs are a very small fraction of the mix.
    • USB 3.2 Gen 2 drives top out around 1,000 MB/s read, whereas Thunderbolt 3 drives achieve up to 2,750 MB/s performance. That's little additional performance?

    "    It works with everything (including Thunderbolt) and is frequently updated with additional speed/features."
    • USB C 3.2 ports ≠ Thunderbolt 3 ports. Thunderbolt 3 uses USB-C ports and connectors, and supports most USB devices connected via a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 cable. USB-only ports support only USB devices. However, there is a small subset of accessory devices that work with both USB and Thunderbolt 3 computer ports.
    • Like Thunderbolt with Thunderbolt 4, USB will be updated (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4). That said, USB 3.2 Gen 2 = USB 3.1 Gen 2, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 = USB 3.1 Gen 1 = USB 3.0.

    "    The only thing you have to watch out for are shady cables on Amazon (pay a bit extra and buy from a reputable brand)." 
    Good advice. USB cables don't have to go through a certification process. Thunderbolt cables have to go through a certification process; only Thunderbolt-certified cables may be sold with the Thunderbolt logo.

    "    If you really want Thunderbolt, buy an add in card for your Mac Pro."
    All current Apple computers include Thunderbolt 3. No add-in Thunderbolt cards are available for Mac.
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