Last year, Intel released a low-level specification based on Thunderbolt 3's USB 4.0 interface. Recently, it also released a detailed specification for Thunderbolt 4 interface, which is also a type-C interface appearance. What is the difference between Thunderbolt 4 (due to trademark registration reasons, Intel uses the Thunderbolt name in China) and USB 4.0?

Compared to the previous Thunderbolt 3 interface, although the maximum speed of Thunderbolt 4 remains at 40Gbps, it has the following five main improvements:

1. 1. When connecting displays, support can be provided for two 4K displays or one 8K display simultaneously.

2. 2. In scenarios such as connecting external graphics cards and hard drives, the minimum transmission speed of PCI-E has been increased from 16Gbps to 32Gbps, while when connecting storage devices, the speed can reach 3GB/s, further narrowing the difference from directly connecting to the motherboard.

3. 3. It supports a 4-port Docking station and a 2-meter data line at most. One line can expand three lightning 4-interfaces and connect more devices at the same time.

4. 4. Computer C equipped with Thunderbolt 4 interface, at least one interface can charge the device.

5. 5. When the Docking station is connected, you can wake the computer from sleep by touching the keyboard or mouse.

Both Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4.0 are built based on the underlying protocol of the previous Thunderbolt 3 interface, and also use the type-c interface, with a maximum speed of 40Gbps. The difference is that the usb 4.0 interface has wider versatility and lower equipment requirements, while the "lower limit" of the performance of the Thunderbolt 4 interface has been greatly improved compared with USB4.0. It has more stringent product functions, verification tests, and certification requirements, so the device experience supporting Thunderbolt 4 is better. It can be said that Thunderbolt 4 is the most comprehensive interface protocol at this stage.

According to the official Intel standard, computers that support Thunderbolt 4 must have at least one interface to support the charging function. Future Thunderbolt 4 notebooks do not need to set up a special charging interface. Thunderbolt 4 can be connected to the display or Docking station through one port for transmission and charging.

The Thunderbolt 4 interface has fast speed and strong performance, and uses a universal type-c interface, which can be complementary and compatible with USB 4. In the future, computers only need a type-c interface to be compatible with previous USB type-a, HDMI, DisplayPort, RJ-45 network cable interface, 3.5mm audio interface, charging interface, and more, completely solving the troubles caused by different interfaces, devices, and data cables for users. The same is true when connecting external storage devices, as many SSDs now have maximum speeds of up to or even exceeding 3GB/s. Thunderbolt 4 can fully release it, making it no different from directly connected motherboards.

Thunderbolt 4 has fast speed and strong performance. It adopts a universal type-c interface and can be complementary and compatible with USB 4. In the future, computers only need a type-c interface to eliminate previous USB type-a, HDMI, DisplayPort, RJ-45 network port, audio port, charging port, and so on, achieving true "one port".

Users no longer need to worry about different interfaces, devices, or data cables. The charging characteristics may completely put an end to the era of "laptop power", as power supplies will not be a must-have item. Different computers can be charged through monitors, docking stations, or a unified charger.