您是否需要购买新的笔记本电脑(buy a new laptop)或 USB 外围设备并且对所有不同的端口感到困惑？看到USB 2.0、USB 3.0、USB4、USB Type-C、Thunderbolt和许多其他类型的端口可能会让任何人感到困惑。它们甚至很难区分，因为USB 电缆类型(USB cable types)太多。也就是说，如果您购买的是新的MacBook Pro或Windows PC，您应该主要关注Thunderbolt 3和USB-C连接器。
在本文中，我们将帮助您了解Thunderbolt 3和USB Type-C（简称USB-C）之间的主要区别，以帮助您选择适合您设备的那一款。
什么是迅雷 3
Thunderbolt接口由Intel和(Intel)Apple共同(Apple)开发。最初，只有MacBook Pro支持它，但Thunderbolt 3与USB-C兼容。这就是USB-C端口看起来与Thunderbolt 3端口完全相同的原因。从本质上讲，Thunderbolt 3是一个强大的USB-C连接器。
Thunderbolt 3 速度很快(Thunderbolt 3 Is Fast)
最重要的方面是数据传输速率。Thunderbolt 3 可以达到高达 40Gbps 的传输速度。请注意，您需要将Thunderbolt电缆连接到Thunderbolt端口才能达到该速度。即使支持Thunderbolt ，您也不能使用USB-C电缆。
Thunderbolt 3的高数据传输速率对游戏玩家来说尤其是个好消息，因为它提高了键盘(keyboards)、鼠标和其他外围设备的响应时间。
Thunderbolt 3 用途广泛(Thunderbolt 3 Is Versatile)
得益于Thunderbolt(Thunderbolt)接口的高速数据传输速率，您可以使用它来连接各种设备。Thunderbolt 3从外部硬盘传输数据的速度比标准USB电缆快得多。但这还不是全部。
您可以将HDMI或DisplayPort线缆替换为Thunderbolt 3线缆。由于传输速度快，您可以连接外接显示器、扩展坞和其他设备。这就是为什么Apple迅速采用Thunderbolt 3来减少连接器的混乱，并且Windows PC 也纷纷加入。
Thunderbolt 3 可为设备充电(Thunderbolt 3 Can Charge Devices)
Thunderbolt 3不仅仅是一个将数据从一个设备传输到另一个设备的端口。它还可以作为笔记本电脑、iPad、iPhone 或Android智能手机的充电器，通过Power Deliver协议提供高达 100 瓦的功率。请注意，如果设备不使用Power Deliver协议，则充电功率限制为 15 瓦。
什么是 USB-C
虽然Thunderbolt最近受到了所有人的喜爱，但这并不意味着USB-C是一个糟糕的连接器。毕竟，这是最新的USB标准，与USB-A不同，它可以同时传输数据和电力。
您可能会将USB-C(USB-C)连接器误认为是微型 USB 连接器，但它略有不同。它具有类似的椭圆形，但更大，您无需将其翻转到右侧即可进行连接。
USB-C 传输速度(USB-C Transfer Speeds)
USB-C还提供不错的数据传输速度。但是，它的上限是Thunderbolt 3(Thunderbolt 3)可以提供的一半。速度还取决于您使用的USB端口类型及其(USB)SuperSpeed等级。例如，如果您将USB-C电缆插入USB 3.1端口Gen 2，您将获得最高 10Gbps 的速度。如果您的设备有USB 3.2端口，那么您的USB Type-C电缆可以达到 20Gbps 的高速传输速率。
USB-C 的通用性稍差(USB-C Is Slightly Less Versatile)
USB-C 电缆在传输数据方面不如Thunderbolt，因此虽然您可以使用它们连接外部显示器，但您可以使用 USB-C 连接外部显示器，它提供的性能对大多数人来说都很好。然而，Thunderbolt更高的传输速度提供了优势——更高的刷新率和更高的分辨率以及驱动更多高分辨率显示器的能力（以及有效菊花链显示器的能力）。
也就是说，USB-C仍然能够以 120Hz 的频率驱动 4k 显示器。您还将经常使用USB-C电缆连接到外部硬盘驱动器、扩展坞或其他几乎没有限制的 USB-C(USB-C)设备。
USB-C 充电以及 Thunderbolt 3(USB-C Charges as Well as Thunderbolt 3)
默认情况下，USB-C电缆提供的功率与旧的 USB-A 标准相同，即 2.5 瓦。好消息是，来自Apple、Microsoft和Samsung的大多数现代设备都使用Power Delivery协议。这意味着USB-C可以像(USB-C)Thunderbolt 3一样提供 100 瓦的功率。
控制充电速度的是您将USB-C电缆插入的端口。例如，插入Thunderbolt端口的(Thunderbolt)USB-C电缆将比插入USB 3.0端口的电缆提供更多的电力。
如何区分 Thunderbolt 3(Difference Between Thunderbolt 3)与。USB-C
这可能很困难。两个连接器看起来相同。主要问题是当涉及到一个支持另一个时。并非所有USB-C端口都支持Thunderbolt 3，也并非所有Thunderbolt 3端口都支持USB-C。
Apple决定不在某些MacBook Pro型号上标记Thunderbolt 3端口并没有帮助，微软(Microsoft)也做了类似的事情，在其一些笔记本电脑上不标记 USB-C 端口。
你应该知道。当一些游戏笔记本电脑混合使用USB(USB)连接器而没有标记它们时，情况会变得更糟。
话虽如此，区分差异的最佳方法是阅读设备的文档或产品描述。也要注意包装。Thunderbolt 3电缆也是如此。并非每条电缆都有表明这是Thunderbolt 3的照明符号。
哪种连接器最好？
这一切都归结为你需要什么。如果您只关心更高的数据传输率，那么Thunderbolt 3在技术上就是赢家。(Thunderbolt 3)但是，请记住，Thunderbolt 3设备和电缆通常比 USB-C 同类产品更贵。
如果您不定期从外部硬盘传输数据，Thunderbolt 3可能会成为不必要的开支。USB-C电缆也可以为您的设备充电。Thunderbolt 3和USB-C是不同的接口，未来几年它们都可能在硬件市场上占有一席之地。
Thunderbolt 3 vs USB-C: What’s the Difference?
Do you need to buy a new laptop or a USB peripheral and you’re confused about all the different ports? Seeing USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB4, USB Type-C, Thunderbolt, and many other types of ports can leave anyone confused. They can even be hard to tell apart because there are so many USB cable types. That said, if you’re getting a new MacBook Pro or Windows PC, you should mainly focus on the Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C connector.
In this article, we’ll help you understand the main differences between Thunderbolt 3 and USB Type-C (USB-C for short) to help you choose the right one for your device.
What Is Thunderbolt 3
The Thunderbolt interface was developed by Intel and Apple together. Initially, only the MacBook Pro supported it, but Thunderbolt 3 was made compatible with USB-C. This is why the USB-C port looks exactly like the Thunderbolt 3 port. In essence, the Thunderbolt 3 is a USB-C connector on steroids.
Thunderbolt 3 Is Fast
The most important aspect is the data transfer rate. Thunderbolt 3 can reach transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps. Take note you’ll need a Thunderbolt cable connected to the Thunderbolt port to reach that speed. You can’t use a USB-C cable even if it supports Thunderbolt.
The high data transfer rate of Thunderbolt 3 is great news for gamers in particular because it boosts the response time of keyboards, mice, and other peripherals.
Thunderbolt 3 Is Versatile
Thanks to the high-speed data transfer rate of the Thunderbolt interface, you can use it to connect a wide variety of devices. Thunderbolt 3 will transfer data from an external hard drive much faster than the standard USB cables. But this isn’t all.
You can replace your HDMI or DisplayPort cables with a Thunderbolt 3 cable. Because of the high transfer speeds, you can connect external monitors, docking stations, and other devices. This is why Apple quickly adopted Thunderbolt 3 to reduce connector clutter and Windows PCs are jumping on board as well.
Thunderbolt 3 Can Charge Devices
Thunderbolt 3 is more than just a port that transfers data from one device to another. It can also act as a charger for your laptop, iPad, iPhone, or Android smartphones by delivering up to 100 watts of power through the Power Deliver protocol. Take note if the device doesn’t use a Power Deliver protocol, charging is limited to 15 watts of power.
What is USB-C
While Thunderbolt is getting all the love lately, that doesn’t mean USB-C is a bad connector. After all, this is the latest USB standard which, unlike USB-A, can transmit both data and power.
You might mistake the USB-C connector with a micro-USB connector, but it’s slightly different. It has a similar oval shape, but it’s larger and you don’t have to flip it on the right side to make the connection.
USB-C Transfer Speeds
USB-C also delivers decent data transfer speeds. However, it’s capped at half of what Thunderbolt 3 can deliver. The speed also depends on the type of USB port you’re using and its SuperSpeed rating. For example, if you plug a USB-C cable into a USB 3.1 port Gen 2, you’ll get a maximum speed of 10Gbps. If your device has a USB 3.2 port, then your USB Type-C cable can reach the high-speed transfer rate of 20Gbps.
USB-C Is Slightly Less Versatile
USB-C cables aren’t as good as Thunderbolt at transferring data, so while you can use them to connect an external You can use USB-C to connect to an external monitor, and it delivers performance that is fine for most people. However, Thunderbolt’s higher transfer speed offers advantages—higher resolutions at higher refresh rates and the ability to drive more high-resolution displays (along with the ability to daisy-chain displays effectively).
That said, USB-C is still capable of driving a 4k display at 120Hz just fine. You’ll also use USB-C cables often to connect to an external hard drive, docking station, or other USB-C devices with few limitations.
USB-C Charges as Well as Thunderbolt 3
By default, a USB-C cable delivers as much power as the old USB-A standard, which is 2.5 watts of power. The good news is that most modern devices from Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung use the Power Delivery protocol. This means USB-C can deliver 100 watts of power like Thunderbolt 3.
What controls the charging speed is the port you’re plugging the USB-C cable into. For example, a USB-C cable plugged into a Thunderbolt port will deliver more power than one plugged into a USB 3.0 port.
How to Tell the Difference Between Thunderbolt 3 Vs. USB-C
It can be difficult. Both connectors look identical. The main problem is when it comes to one supporting the other. Not all USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 3 and not all Thunderbolt 3 ports support USB-C.
It doesn’t help that Apple decided not to label the Thunderbolt 3 ports on some MacBook Pro models and Microsoft did a similar thing by not labeling the USB-C ports on some of its laptops.
You’re just supposed to know. And it gets worse when some gaming laptops use a mix of USB connectors without labeling them.
With that said, the best way to tell the difference is by reading the device’s documentation or product description. Pay attention to the packaging as well. The same goes for the Thunderbolt 3 cables. Not every cable has the lighting symbol that tells you this is Thunderbolt 3.
Which Connector Is the Best?
It all boils down to what you need. Thunderbolt 3 is technically the winner if all you care about is the higher data transfer rates. However, keep in mind that Thunderbolt 3 devices and cables are usually more expensive than their USB-C counterparts.
If you don’t transfer data from external hard drives on a regular basis, Thunderbolt 3 might turn out to be an unnecessary expense. USB-C cables can charge your devices just as well. Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C are different interfaces and both of them will likely have a place on the hardware market for years to come.
