USB is the interface with the longest lifespan in computer history and the most confusing type/speed standards (perhaps none), while Type-C, with its advantages of high bandwidth, multi-channel data/graphics/high-power fast charging, forward and reverse insertion, and high usability, has become the current standard interface for PC data, audio and video, and charging. Especially with the launch of Apple iPhone 15, Type-C interface has finally removed the last "nail" and truly unified the PC digital world.

However, USB Type-C is only an interface form, and their functions and applications vary fundamentally on different devices. For example, in terms of data transmission, it can be USB2.0, USB3.2 Gen1/2/2 * 2, USB4.0, and in terms of display signal transmission, it can be DP1.4 and HDMI2.0. It also supports fast charging of various protocols. Therefore, people have updated the name and symbol of USB again, and based on these identifiers, the functionality of the Type-C interface can be determined.

Why there is such a big difference? The secret lies in the number of gold fingers and wires inside the Type-C interface. The following diagram is a fully functional Type-C interface structure, which can distinguish between low-speed data (USB2.0), high-speed data (USB3.2 Gen1 and above, DP video signal), and charging protocol. Therefore, the equipment manufacturer can perform subtraction on this interface based on actual needs.

Speaking of this, we have to talk about the super "rich and handsome" in the Type-C interface - Thunderbolt, which is a commonly used interface standard on Apple MAC and MacBook. It is a collaboration between Intel and Apple and was officially released by Intel in 2011. It integrates PCI Express bus data transmission technology and Display Port display technology, allowing for simultaneous transmission of data and video signals through a single interface. Compared with USB, it not only has faster data transmission speed, but also greatly improves the convenience of device connection. The concept of "one line connection" can be said to be very advanced.

But Thunderbolt and USB have always been fierce rivals, fighting fiercely over who is the future standard for universal interfaces. The first and second generations of Thunderbolt interfaces adopted the form of MiniDisplayPort, and also released the PCIex4 interface to the outside of the body, which was unimaginable for PC manufacturers at that time. Therefore, Thunderbolt interfaces not only could connect displays, but also had a transmission speed of up to 10Gbps (bidirectional 20Gbps), which was a symbol of high-end. At that time, USB was only 3.0 standard, with a speed of only 5Gbps, but had a strong user base, and devices equipped with USB interfaces were relatively inexpensive.

Fortunately, Intel had a say in the development of USB and Thunderbolt technology standards, and finally announced in 2015 that Thunderbolt 3 had abandoned the previous Mini Display Port and replaced it with USB Type-C, which is compatible with the USB3.1 (now USB3.2 Gen2) standard, and increased the bandwidth to 40Gbps bidirectional. There was a "flash" mark next to the interface for everyone to distinguish. Although the interface was ultimately unified, devices that support lightning require the installation of an expensive dedicated authorization chip to achieve full compatibility with USB.

The latest Thunderbolt 4 standard was released by Intel in 2020 along with the tenth generation Core processors, continuing to use the USB Type-C interface, but standardizing the minimum performance requirements, such as supporting at least 40Gbps of bandwidth, at least two 4K displays or one 8K display, and providing compatibility with the USB4.0 standard. This means that whether using USB4.0 or Thunderbolt 4, users can experience up to 40Gbps of powerful performance and significantly improve the power of fast charging.

In practical use, to visually experience the strongest performance of Thunderbolt 4, either connect an 8k resolution display or use a portable solid-state drive (PSSD) with Thunderbolt 4 protocol. However, the peripheral products of the finished Thunderbolt 4, whether it is a docking station or a portable solid-state drive PSSD, are relatively expensive. However, if you have idle PCIe NVMe M.2 solid-state drives on hand, you can consider combining them with a USB4.0 hard drive case to form a PSSD, which can also experience the powerful data transmission capacity of 40Gbps.

The mainstream fully functional Type-C interfaces on PCs mostly support USB3.2 Gen2 * 2, with an interface bandwidth of 20Gbps, which is half of USB4.0. The USB 4.0 hard drive was connected to USB 3.2 Gen2 * 2 for testing. Under the same parameter settings, the read and write speeds of the AJA System test were 1880MB/s and 1885MB/s, respectively, indicating that USB 4.0 has unparalleled advantages in ultra high speed file transfer.

The ease of use and compatibility of the Type-C interface have long been deeply ingrained in people's hearts, especially the Type-C interface that supports Thunderbolt 4, which integrates multiple functions such as high-speed data transmission, video output, and power supply. It is also compatible with the latest USB4.0, which can achieve almost all functions of Type-C, providing users with a simple, fast, and efficient connection solution. Such USB4.0 devices allow people to experience 40GBps of powerful performance at a lower cost, not only becoming an ideal expansion solution for devices such as MacBook Air, but also providing a reference direction for the expansion of Thunderbolt 4 applications.

USB is the oldest and most confusing interface in computer history in terms of type/speed standards (perhaps none), while Type-C, with its advantages of high bandwidth, multi-channel data/graphics/high-power fast charging, forward and reverse insertion, and high usability, has become the current standard interface for PC data, audio and video, and charging.

Source: Zhongguancun Online