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They may look similar, but actually aren’t. We explain the key differences between Thunderbolt vs USB-C.

If you’ve bought a computer recently—whether that’s one thebest laptops for graphic designor aMac for video editing—it’ll probably come with either Thunderbolt ports, USB-C ports, or a mix of both. These little slots in the side allow you to connect a range of peripherals, from printers to thebest monitor for MacBook Pro.

But which is which? It’s not obvious. Thunderbolt and USB-C ports look identical, and they work in pretty much the same way.

The broad-brush answer is thattypically, Thunderbolt works faster and more efficiently than USB-C. But that’s not always the case, and there are some other important differences between them too. We’ll explain all below.

What are Thunderbolt and USB-C?

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It’s basically a standard way for devices to connect and communicate with each other. This allows many different devices to connect to each other, including phones, printers, mice and external hard drives.

USB sends data back and forth between devices. This data could be anything from photos and videos to documents and music. USB can also deliver power to devices, which is why you can charge your phone by plugging it into the USB-C port on your computer.
These days, most laptops, computers, smartphones and tablets come with USB-C ports. These are faster and more efficient than the older USB-A ports, which are larger and require a different (again larger) connector. The most common standard is USB 3.2 Gen 2, although the latest standard, USB4, is now increasingly being rolled out. (More on that in a moment.)

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Thunderbolt is a special type of USB-C connector. Born from a 2011 collaboration between Intel andApple, it allows for high-speed data transfer, video signal transmission, and device charging.

Initially exclusive to Apple products, Thunderbolt later evolved to become more universal with the introduction of Thunderbolt 3 and 4, both of which are compatible with USB-C.

Thunderbolt 4 is a significant upgrade from Thunderbolt 3. Most notably, it allows you to connect two 4K monitors or one 8K monitor, doubles the minimum data transfer speed to 3,000 MB/s, and offers enhanced security.

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What devices are Thunderbolt and USB-C compatible with?

USB-C is virtually ubiquitous in modern tech. Most new smartphones, tablets, and laptops, regardless of brand, come equipped with USB-C ports.

Thunderbolt ports, however, are typically found on high-performance devices, especially those designed for creative professionals. Apple’sMacBook ProandMacBook Airlaptops, along with some Intel-powered Windows laptops, often feature Thunderbolt ports. Peripherals like external hard drives, monitors and docking stations also increasingly support Thunderbolt connectivity.

How do you know if your device is compatible with Thunderbolt? The quickest way to find out is by checking the product specifications on the box or manual that came with your device, or by taking a look at the manufacturer’s website.

Most of the time, you can’t tell by looking. Sometimes, though, there might be a lightning symbol to identify a port as Thunderbolt-compatible.

How fast do Thunderbolt and USB-C transfer data?

Thunderbolt offers significantly faster data transfer speeds than the standard (USB 3.2 Gen 2) version of USB-C. For example, Thunderbolt 4 boasts speeds of up to 40 Gbps, while USB 3.2 Gen 2 typically maxes out at 20 Gbps.

Often, then, you’ll read online that Thunderbolt is “better than USB-C” for tasks involving large files, such as video editing or 3D rendering. The very latest version of USB-C, however, has muddied the waters there. While USB4 is still relatively new, it’s gaining traction, and you’ll find it in a growing number of devices.

USB4 is actually based on the Thunderbolt protocol, which was developed by Intel. This means it can achieve similar speeds and capabilities as Thunderbolt. However, there are some subtle differences.

Most notably, USB4 has some flexibility in its specifications. So while itcansupport speeds up to 40Gbps, it can also be implemented with a minimum speed of 20Gbps. In other words, unlike Thunderbolt devices, not all USB4 devices will offer the same level of performance.

The final thing to add is that Thunderbolt 5 is currently being rolled out, which boosts speeds up to 80Gbps. It’s new technology, so the number of devices that fully support it is still somewhat limited. It is, however, already implemented on some, including theMacBook Pro 2024.

Thunderbolt vs USB-C: Which one is best?

We’ve talked about how Thunderbolt cables are generally faster and more powerful than typical USB-C cables. However, if your device is not compatible with Thunderbolt then you’re probably not missing out on much. If you only need to connect to a singular monitor and don’t do an awful lot of file transfers, then Thunderbolt ports aren’t a necessity for you.

Conversely, for creative pros who already own Thunderbolt-equipped tech, we think it’s a no-brainer to invest in a Thunderbolt cable or a device with Thunderbolt ports to use with your workstation for maximum productivity. That said, expect to pay a higher price for this.

Thirdly, as we mentioned earlier, the introduction of USB4 offers a decent alternative to Thunderbolt that’s usually more affordable. Be aware, though, that as well as potential differences in speed, USB4 only supports a single 4K display, while Thunderbolt can support two 4K displays or a single 8K display, making it more suitable for multi-monitor setups.

FAQs

Are Thunderbolt ports only on Apple products?

Thunderbolt technology is the brainchild of Apple and Intel, so of course you’re likely to find Thunderbolt ports on most if not all Apple laptops. However, Thunderbolt is not exclusive to Apple, and several Windows laptops are also compatible with Thunderbolt cables and ports.

You’ll also find that most external hard drives, docking stations, monitors, and other peripherals now also support Thunderbolt, so there are plenty of options for you to choose from to benefit from Thunderbolt’s high transfer speeds.

Here’s everything you need to know about JPEGs, one of the most widely used file formats for photographs

While much of the technology behind digital cameras has changed since the first prototypes, one feature that’s nearly as old hasn’t: the JPEG. A JPEG is one of the most widely used file formats for a digital photograph. The file format’s widespread popularity means the file can be opened by nearly any device and thousands, if not millions, of different programs.

If you want to share a digital photograph, the odds are the file type that you want is a JPEG. But just because the JPEG is one of the most widely used formats doesn’t mean it’salwaysthe best option. Photographers – and anyone who has ever snapped a photo with a camera or a smartphone – should know what a JPEG is, when to use one, and when not to use one. Consider this your Photography 101 course to the ins and outs of a JPEG.

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What is a JPEG file type? Explaining the most common image format

A JPEG is a compressed, processed image file that is easily shared. Because the JPEG is one of the world’s most widely used file formats for a digital image, it’s typically the best file format for an image that’s meant to be shared. If you want to share a photograph, whether through email, social media or uploading it to a photo printer, a JPEG is the file type you want because anyone can open one.

JPEG stands for Joint Photographics Experts Group, the name of the committee that maintains the list of standards for the JPEG file type. But don’t worry, you don’t have to memorize the long name to understand and use a JPEG properly. The JPEG was first developed in the late 1980s, with the standards first published in 1992, to create a smaller yet standarized digital image file type. Before the JPEG, graphics were often saved as Bitmaps, which took up quite a bit of hard drive space.

JPEG files end in .JPG. A JPEG and JPG are the same thing, but file formats typically only have three letters so the E is dropped in the file extension. If a file ends in .JPG, it’s a JPEG. You can also check the file type by viewing the files in File Explorer (on PC) or Finder (on Mac) and look under the file type column in the list view. On a smartphone, you can check the file type by clicking on the photo in the Camera Roll (iPhone) or Google Photos and tapping the i icon.

Because a JPEG can be opened by nearly any device, the file format is often the best choice formost peoplewhen saving a photo that is meant to be shared. But, understanding a few other key image file formats will help you determine if the JPEG is the best choice for your particular project.

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JPEG isn’t always the best file format for photography, this is why

The RAW file type is often favored by advanced photographers for its editing flexibility

Psst! Here’s a hint

Don’t know whether to use RAW or JPEG? Most cameras will allow you to select RAW + JPEG to save both file types.

While JPEGS are one of the most widely image formats used, it’s not the best for every situation. If you don’t want to edit the image and aren’t short on hard drive space, then the JPEG is a great format to use. But file types like HEIF save space on your device while RAW files are more versatile for photo editing.

HEIF, or High Effeciency Image Format, is a file type that takes up less space than a JPEG, without a noticeable impact on image quality. However, HEIF isn’t as widely compatible as the standard JPEG. An HEIF file can be opened by mostAppledevices, while many Windows users need to download extra software to be able to open them, and if you send an HEIF by text to an Android phone, it looks tiny. Apple also has a similar format called HEIC that’s newer though less widely compatible than HEIF.

PNG or Portable Network Graphicis a file type that’s designed more for graphic design than for photographs. But while photographs are easiest to save as a JPEG, you may need to use the PNG format for things like logos and, in particular, graphics designed to have a transparent background.

A RAW fileis uncompressed and often preferred by professional and advanced photographers. A JPEG is a compressed image file with the camera’s automatic edits already applied. A RAW file doesn’t have any edits applied from the camera and it retains more of the original data, which makes the file type better for photo editing.It’s worth noting, when comparingRAW and JPEG, that once photographers edit their RAW photos, they typically export the finished file as a JPEG so it can be easily shared.

FAQs on JPEGs and other popular file types

Is JPEG and JPG the same?

A JPEG and a JPG are one and the same. JPEG is the official name of the file type, but since file name extensions typically use three letters, you’ll see a .JPG at the end of the file name. Sometimes the E is dropped beyond just the file extension as well.

What is the difference between a PNG and a JPEG?

A PNG file is meant for graphic design while a JPEG is meant for a photograph. PNG files support transparent backgrounds, a feature that you don’t need for sharing a photograph. For example, if you great a circle-shaped logo in Photoshop, but save it as a JPEG, you’ll probably see a white background around the logo when you try to upload it to your website. Instead, save it as a PNG and you won’t see any of that annoying white background.

What is the difference between a JPEG and a PDF?

A JPEG is designed for a photograph while aPDF is designed for documents– it actually stands for Portable Document Format. Both JPGs and PDFs can be opened by most devices and many different apps.

A JPEG file is typically smaller in size. A PDF allows you to do things like copy text and also tends to render text better when enlarged.