Usb 4: What is USB4? Differences from Thunderbolt 4, older USB versions explained

Next-gen USB promises to be twice as fast, using cables you may already own

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USB 4 version 2 promises 80 Gbps speeds

By Mitchell Clark

Sep 1, 2022, 5:43 PM UTC|

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Double the speed of USB 4 version 1 and Thunderbolt 4Photo by Vlad Savov / The Verge

The next version of USB could be one of the fastest connectors we’ve seen yet. The USB Promoter Group says that USB 4 version 2.0 will be capable of speeds up to 80 Gbps, double what the original USB 4, and even Thunderbolt 4, are capable of.

The actual technical specification from the USB Implementers Forum, which is in charge of the standard itself, hasn’t been released yet, but the details coming out today are a little stunning. The Promoter Group writes in a press release that USB 4 version 2.0 cables will use the USB-C connector, which is to be expected, but the real bombshell is this line: “Key characteristics of the updated USB4 solution include: Up to 80 Gbps operation, based on a new physical layer architecture, using existing 40 Gbps USB Type-C passive cables and newly-defined 80 Gbps USB Type-C active cables” (emphasis theirs).

Technical details on USB 4 version 2.0 are currently very sparse

Joe Balich, a spokesperson for the USB-IF, confirmed that if I were to go out and buy a USB 4 cable right now that was rated for 40 Gbps, it would be able to do twice those speeds in the future. That is, frankly, extremely impressive. USB has always been good about backward compatibility (and USB 4 version 2 is no exception), but being able to use the same cable and still reap the flagship benefit of the new spec is another level.

Balich didn’t explain how that was technically possible but said that “this benefit was made a requirement when the new specification was developed and the specifics as to how 80Gbps signaling is accomplished will be disclosed once the final specification is released.” That’ll apparently be before the USB DevDays developer events scheduled to happen on November 1st and 2nd in Seattle and November 15th and 16th in Seoul.

According to the USB Promoter Group, which is made up of companies like Intel, Apple, Microsoft, HP, and Texas Instruments, the USB-C and power delivery specs will be updated to “enable this higher level of data performance.” The USB 4 version 2.0 specification will also apparently include updates that provide better speeds when you’re using USB 3.2 — the promotors group promises over 20 Gbps — as well as improved support for DisplayPort and PCIe since it’ll be using the latest version of those standards (the first USB 4 only let you use DisplayPort 1. 4a when “tunneling,” or carrying DisplayPort and USB signals at the same time).

USB 4 v2 feels a lot like a USB 5

Finally, though, we have to talk about the name. It’s a strange move to label this as just a “version 2.0” of USB 4 when the leap in speed definitely feels like it’d warrant being called USB 5. The standard has been confusing for a few years now, though — USB 3.2 is actually a few different standards: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (AKA original USB 3.0), USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 1×2, and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (which is the full-fat 20 Gbps spec). USB 4 kind of simplified this since it basically had the same specs and capabilities as Thunderbolt 3, but now it seems that we’re going back to a slightly more confusing naming scheme — the cable compatibility could certainly help, but I can certainly see device spec sheets being a bit of a minefield for a while.

Not that we’ll likely have to deal with that anytime soon. The press release says that the update is “specifically targeted to developers at this time,” with final branding and marketing guides (including things like logos) to come later. Still, it’s exciting to see what’s in the pipeline and to imagine being able to transfer a 4K Blu-ray’s worth of data in around five seconds.

What Is USB 4 Vs USB-C?

From charging your phone to connecting your mouse, most modern technology doesn’t work without USB cords and chargers. Chances are you have a dedicated drawer full of USB cords that only work with some devices.

USB 4 is just one of the connectors available today, but what’s the difference between USB 4 and connectors like USB-C? How can you know which USB type is best for your gear?

Here’s a breakdown of what USB 4 is and the role it plays in the overall tech market today.

What is USB 4?

USB 4 has only been around since 2019, making it the newest version of the USB connector technology. It serves as an upgrade over the previous tech and provides better port usage, faster transfers, and «tunneling» of display ports and PCle to external devices. It also uses a Type-C connector, which offers up to 40 Gbps of data transfer and 100 watts of power.

What is tunneling?

Tunneling is a technology that allows multiple devices connected to a single PC to share network resources between them. In the past, you had to connect each USB-C device to its own USB-C port on your computer or laptop. Now, you can connect a single hub to the USB 4/USB-C port with enough power and data capability to run several USB-C devices at once.

USB 4 is very new

You may not have encountered USB 4 yet, since computers with USB 4.0 technology first arrived on the market in 2020. But when you do invest in newer tech that features USB 4, rest assured that it is backward compatible with your USB 2.0 and 3.0 devices. It also connects to both 4K displays and some 5K displays.

Is it different from “USB4”?

The creators of USB 4 want it spelled as «USB4» without the space. They also note that it won’t have the same confusing naming conventions as USB 3, 3.0, etc. There are no plans to create «.0» iterations every time there’s an update, with the aim to stay simple as just USB4.

What is USB-C?

USB-C is a physical design, and it includes the handy connector end you can’t insert “upside down.” Remember early USB connectors, like those for digital cameras and gaming devices? They had older USB ports you had to plug in facing up. It was also known as USB-A. You may have spent many precious minutes flipping a USB-A connector to get it in the right position.

USB-C supports USB 3, USB 4, and even Thunderbolt technology. It’s one of the more common plug connection types for charging smartphones and gaming systems.

What’s the difference between USB 4 and USB-C?

At first glance, the USB 4 and USB-C look similar, but the names refer to completely different technologies.

Type of cable vs. specific version

A USB-C is a type of cable, while USB 4.0 is a specific version of the USB cable technology.

USB 4 has nothing to do with the shape. It’s referring to the specific tech that’s inside a USB-C. That’s right – your cable could have both USB-C and USB 4.

If that’s not confusing enough, the design alone won’t tell you if it’s USB 3 or USB 4. There are actually some USB 3 connectors that still use the USB-A design, although you can find USB 3 with the more modern USB-C design, too.

Compatibility

There is some difference in compatibility. The USB-C connector won’t work with older USB technology since the end is a different shape. However, the USB 4 technology can be compatible with older tech, as long as it fits that “c-shaped” port used for USB 4.0 devices. If it doesn’t fit the shape (not a USB-C), you can use a special converter dongle.

Pros of USB 4

USB 4 is still in its early stages. While the tech is there, developers and product manufacturers need to get on board before you see it in more places. In the meantime, you can look forward to eventually enjoying these perks.

Fast data transfers

USB 4 has data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps, almost twice the speed of USB 3.0. This lets you transfer high-capacity files, like 4K movies and graphics, in seconds. It’s also an ideal technology for connecting multiple monitors and external video displays.

Fast charging

Another perk is USB 4’s power capability. While you can use USB-C for “fast charging,” it’s possible to plug in a device and receive a “charging slowly” notification.

USB 4, however, has to comply with the USB PD specs, so every USB 4 cord will request higher currents and voltages from chargers. You can also charge more devices from a single port.

Backward compatible

USB 4 supports older USB devices, as long as they fit into the port. If they don’t, consider buying a converter. You’ll just need to know if your older USB tech uses a USB-A or USB-C design.

How does Thunderbolt 4 compare?

If USB 4 sounds great, it’s because it is, but it’s not the only technology out there. Thunderbolt 4 offers some of the same perks and is quickly becoming another connectivity standard to beat. It also has a USB-C connection and offers up to 40 Gbps for data transfers.

Currently, you can connect up to 5 Thunderbolt devices to a single PC. It can also support two monitors at a time and requires higher minimum power (15W for Thunderbolt vs. 7.5 for USB4.)

Which USB type is best for you?

After reading about the differences between USB-C and USB 4, you now know that you aren’t really choosing between the two since USB 4 uses the USB-C design. If you buy a USB 4 device, you’ll enjoy the design features of USB-C by default.

So, what are you actually deciding on? The best choice comes down to USB4 and Thunderbolt 4. To the average computer user, you may not even have a preference since they are so similar.

USB 4

USB 4 is the next generation of USB and boasts wide-ranging compatibility. It charges quickly, supports many devices at once, transfers data in seconds, and uses fewer ports than older USB technologies. If you’re a USB fan, it only makes sense to keep using the tech you know.

Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt has its fans, too, and it’s most commonly used in Apple technology. If you have a Macbook Pro or an iPhone, you’ll see Thunderbolt technology prominently advertised and on new models.

Choosing the right cords

No matter which technology you prefer, you need the right cords and accessories to match your existing tech. Learn what your devices use before buying new connectors because while they look the same, they are not.

Here are some facts to help you learn what you can and can’t do:

Not all Thunderbolt cables work as true USB 3.1 Type-C cables, and a standard Type-C cable without the Thunderbolt designation is never compatible with Thunderbolt devices.
The new Thunderbolt 4 cables can work with both Thunderbolt 3 devices and Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Don’t try connecting two Thunderbolt 4 devices with a Thunderbolt 3 cable.
Look at your device to see how many USB4 ports you have. While you can connect USB 3 devices to a USB port, prioritize USB 4 devices first.

What to avoid

Don’t buy a USB 4 or any other type of cable that doesn’t specifically state what technology it uses. Some off-brand cables may be vague about this, leaving you with a cable that slowly transfers data or is not effective at charging devices.

Avoid very low-priced cables – they’re “too good to be true” for a reason – and stick to the cables sold by the brands you know and trust.

Cord length is important

Length matters. Each connection technology has a recommended maximum length before the data transfer and power degrades. Could you buy a 10-foot USB 4 cable online somewhere? Possibly, but it’s not advised.

The maximum length for an official USB-4 cable is currently only .8 meters or about 2.62 feet. If you see a cord longer than that for sale, it doesn’t meet the standards.

The only way to get a longer cord is to connect several together with an active USB cable, which adds a power port to the next step on the line, boosting the data. These are powered with a separate power adapter, or they may take up a port on your computer. Either way, they’re a good solution for getting the most out of USB 4 tech at longer distances.

About the Author

About the Author: Linsey Knerl is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. Linsey is a Midwest-based author and public speaker. She has a passion for helping consumers and small business owners do more with their resources via the latest tech solutions.

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USB4: features, release date, transfer speeds, and more

USB4 will be the fastest and most uniform USB standard yet

Jon Martindale

July 14, 2022

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

The Universal Serial Bus, or USB connector has been a mainstay of a wide range of devices for years, though the actual port used and cable required could vary dramatically. USB4 is changing that by adopting many of the best features of Intel’s Thunderbolt 3 standard. USB4 is faster, better equipped, and perhaps even more standardized across the industry than every type of USB that came before it.

Contents

Availability
Performance
Features
What about Thunderbolt?

Availability

USB4 was announced in March 2019, with a rough outline of its features and capabilities, and since then we’ve gotten a few USB4-powered devices like docking stations and high data transfer cables. Although we’re sure there will be a large and vibrant USB4 ecosystem in the future, at the moment there are not a ton of products you can buy that use the new technology.

Of course, to take advantage of USB4 devices, you’ll need a computer that has USB4, and at the moment the only computers that support USB4 are modern Apple desktops and laptops, as well as some Intel-based laptops and desktop motherboards. Some devices won’t mention support for USB4 but will mention Thunderbolt 4. If a port supports Thunderbolt 4, that means it’s USB4, but not all USB4 ports are Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Although Ryzen 6000 mobile APUs support USB4, the firmware and software aren’t ready. However, AMD has released its first USB4 driver, which means those updates are probably coming very soon. Enabling USB4 on a Ryzen laptop requires the manufacturer to release a BIOS update and to also actually have physical USB4 ports on the laptop, so not every Ryzen 6000-based laptop will be receiving a USB4 update. Upcoming Ryzen 7000 desktop CPUs will also support USB4.

Performance

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

The most immediate benefit of USB4 is how much faster it is than its predecessors. Where the USB 3.2 2×2 specification can only transfer data at up 20 Gbps (gigabits per second), USB4 is capable of up to 40 Gbps. That’s also four times the speed of the far more common USB 3.1 (3.2 gen. 2) and eight times as fast as USB 3.0 (3.2 gen. 1). However, not all USB4 devices will transfer data at 40 Gbps; some device manufacturers can opt for 20 Gbps transfer speeds instead. Still, 20 Gbps is twice as fast as USB 3.1, which is typically the fastest USB port you can find.

The speed of USB4 also matches that of Thunderbolt 3 and 4, which is an important factor in the development and planned future for the USB standard.

Features

USB4 is built around the USB-C connector and is entirely reversible — no more flipping back and forth like you had to do with USB-A cables. It can also offer charging and power delivery up to 100 watts, so USB4 is perfectly capable of charging your laptop, or powering your monitor.

That combination of high data throughput and power delivery means it can act as a singular cable for displays. It can handle two 4K displays or one 5K display over a single connector. It also has enough data throughput to connect external graphics cards to desktops and laptops.

USB4 is backward compatible with USB 3.x, 2.x, and 1.x devices. You might just need to change the cable you connect those devices with.

Although not a feature for USB4 itself, one of its greatest improvements could be greater standardization. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the group that manages the promotion and marketing of USB, hopes that it can use the new USB generation to make the standard more uniform across devices. With a singular connection type in USB-C, there won’t be a wide array of potential cables or ports. The USB-IF will also create a standard feature list which it will push manufacturers to support with USB4 devices. That will be a stipulation of certification, although it will not be mandatory, and as an open standard, USB4 can be implemented by any manufacturer in any fashion they choose.

The name of USB4 is a big improvement over the extremely confusing naming conventions of its predecessor, but it’s not as clear as it could be. For example, lots of devices with USB4 support don’t say “USB4” but instead “Thunderbolt 4” without mentioning that Thunderbolt 4 ports are also USB4 ports.

What about Thunderbolt?

USB4 is largely based on Thunderbolt 3, which is basically a special version of USB that has way more bandwidth than the normal version. Thunderbolt 3 (which has since been succeeded by Thunderbolt 4) was used in external SSDs, external GPUs, and docking stations because it provided direct access to four PCIe lanes. Without those lanes, external NVMe SSDs and eGPUs wouldn’t have worked.

But USB4 doesn’t have to perform as well as Thunderbolt 3; manufacturers are allowed to only offer 2 of those PCIe lanes or 20 Gbps, which means support for Thunderbolt 3 devices isn’t a given. Compared to Thunderbolt 4, USB4 is also missing dual monitor support, so even if your PC has the best possible USB4 port, it still won’t be quite as good as Thunderbolt.

As it stands, USB4 support doesn’t guarantee compatibility with high-end Thunderbolt devices. That doesn’t mean USB4 is useless, it just means you’ll have to read the fine print to see whether or not a computer with USB4 but not Thunderbolt has the capability to support a Thunderbolt-enabled device. Even if a Thunderbolt 3 device works on a 20 Gbps USB4 port, the performance will certainly be worse than usual.

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what’s new and why it’s important / Sudo Null IT News

The next great (but possibly confusing) version of USB is coming soon. In September 2019, the USB Implementation Forum, USB-IF, published specifications for USB4, opening up the possibility of making USB connections incredibly fast compared to Thunderbolt 3 speeds.

Specification ready

The comparison with Thunderbolt is not accidental. Intel has submitted the Thunderbolt protocol specification to the USB Advancement Group (the industry organization that develops the USB specifications; USB-IF promotes and implements the technology).

When USB4 ports start showing up in laptops and elsewhere, we’re promised speeds of up to 40Gb/s. This is twice the maximum current speed of USB 3.2 Gen 2×2. Like other versions of USB, USB4 will be backward compatible up to USB 2.0, and in some cases USB4 ports will even work with Thunderbolt 3 peripherals.

Unfortunately, Thunderbolt 3 support is optional, and some USB4 devices may come out without it.

The update seems like a good one, but if there’s one thing that can be said about the USB developers, it’s that they know exactly how to confuse everyone. And USB4 is no exception. Let’s figure it out.

Multiple speeds

USB4 will not become a single standard that can be expected to work the same on all devices. Instead, it will have two speeds — in addition to the potentially maximum 40 Gb / s, there will also be a speed of 20 Gb / s. As if that weren’t enough, there’s also a third option in the spec, at 10 Gb/s. However, USB-IF said that this speed is only for backwards compatibility. In other words, there should be no USB4 devices limited to such a low speed.

It’s not yet clear what the two main USB4 speeds will be called when they hit stores. The USB4 specification refers to 40 Gb/s as Gen 3×2 and 20 Gb/s as Gen 2×2. These are technical terms for manufacturers, not for price tags in the nearest store.

USB-IF says branding guidelines will be published in early 2020. They will «emphasize on a clear definition of the level of performance for the end user,» according to a spokesman for the organization.

This is good news, because things are a bit confusing with USB 3.2 right now — it has Gen 1, Gen 2, and Gen 2×2 variants.

Backwards compatible

Like other versions of USB, this one will be backwards compatible with its predecessors. In particular, with USB 2.0 and higher. This means that if you have an external USB 2.0 backup hard drive, you can plug it into a USB4 port. To make it work, you need a USB Type-A (standard USB) to USB Type-C adapter, and the hard drive will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds.

Also, the USB Type-C cables you already have probably won’t work with USB4. They will support the old speeds, but if you want to see an increase in data transfer speed, you will have to buy new cables and new equipment.

Thunderbolt 3 backwards compatible

USB-IF says USB4 can be backwards compatible with Intel’s Thunderbolt 3 also using Type-C connectors. This makes sense, because the USB4 specification also includes Thunderbolt 3 specifications. But Thunderbolt 3 support will not be mandatory for USB4. While Intel has given USB-IF the freedom to use the Thunderbolt 3 specifications, it has not given the freedom to use the name Thunderbolt 3.

Any manufacturer wishing to advertise their USB4 port as backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 must obtain certification from Intel. Therefore, this data transfer technology from Intel is not so well distributed.

From a practical standpoint, we don’t think the current situation with Thunderbolt 3 on PC will change in any way. For example, don’t expect Thunderbolt 3 to be officially supported on AMD machines — as it was before USB4.

There will probably be a few Intel-based motherboards with USB4 ports officially supporting Thunderbolt 3, but for the most part, PC manufacturers will rely on expansion boards to support Thunderbolt 3 devices.

Things will be a little different with laptops. Thunderbolt 3 isn’t all that popular, but it’s more common on laptops than on desktops. For example, laptops with Thunderbolt 3 support are often used with external graphics cards.

And when it comes time to replace your old laptop with a new one with USB4 support, it’s very important to make sure it supports your old Thunderbolt 3 hardware.

Dynamic bandwidth division

One of the best things about USB4 is that the standard will take into account what speed devices need to share resources. The most common example of such a case is when you have an external drive and a monitor connected at the same time.

USB4 will be smart enough to keep the display frame rate high and give the external drive everything it needs to transfer data.

USB Power Delivery Anywhere

All USB4 devices will support the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) standard, capable of delivering up to 100W of power through a USB port. The idea is to allow phones to charge from a USB port on a laptop in a little less than a teaspoon per hour.

USB PD uses smart charging to ensure that the device being charged receives as much power as the charger can supply. The two devices will negotiate the charging strength so that it is not too strong or too weak, depending on the needs of the devices.

One type port

USB4 should revolutionize ports and make USB more versatile for everyday needs. We now have a whole bag of standard USB Type-A ports with speeds ranging from “I took a wrong turn somewhere in my life” to “well, that wasn’t so bad. ” And then there are microUSB, which is mainly used to charge phones, and new Type-C ports, which have faster speeds than a mountain bike.

All this suggests that the world of USB is a mess of different cables and specifications. Since USB4 stopped at Type-C connectors, we may finally see a single port type that fits any size device, and a single cable connector for everything.

Don’t expect this universalization revolution to happen very soon, as laptop manufacturers will likely continue to make Type-A ports in their devices to provide backwards compatibility for home and industrial users without the need for additional dongles.

Also, even if Type-C eventually becomes universal, different USB variants will still have a bunch of different speed modes.

Sounds great, but when will it arrive?

It is not yet known when USB4 will start to appear. Typically, manufacturers are willing to adopt new USB technologies faster than other standards, such as the lagging adoption of SD and microSD Express. We should probably expect the active emergence of USB4 by the middle or end of 2020, or even by 2021.

What is USB 4 and why is it needed in Mac

USB 4 is an interface for connecting peripherals to electronic devices. The fourth generation of USB, the «Universal Serial Bus» developed by Intel 25 years ago. Each of the M1 Macs has two USB-C USB 4 connectors. There are a lot of complaints about them, mostly complaining that there are only two connectors (ridiculous). Reasons for other complaints, as it turned out, had nothing to do with USB 4. Somehow everything is too good, there must be a catch in something. They say that he who seeks will always find. Are there any other disadvantages in USB 4 ? And most importantly, what was wrong with USB 3?

Think it’s Thunderbolt? But no, it’s also USB 4

What is the difference between USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4

The interface for connecting M1 Mac peripherals is not just USB 4. Its full designation is Thunderbolt / USB 4 . USB 4 itself has a very dangerous drawback — the developers of electronic devices using this interface have every right not to spend extra money, effort and time on Thunderbolt support. To make the device cost less and sell better. That’s just peripheral devices that require Thunderbolt connection will not work with this product.

USB 3 in Mac supports charging, but this does not apply to all devices. Giant data drives, various equipment, these days, external graphics accelerators are most often remembered. eGPU.

Stop! Although M1 Macs did not save on Thunderbolt support, they and do not support eGPUs on . We already have compromising evidence on USB 4, although we haven't even started looking yet? Let's figure it out.

Why M1 Macs don’t support external graphics cards

There must have been some good reason to allow USB 4 without Thunderbolt, but I don’t know. You can guess about them, but this guess will be correct or not — who knows. The reasons were compelling — and Intel did not cancel this permission. This is a real compromising evidence on USB 4. But all this has nothing to do with the fact that eGPUs are incompatible with M1 Mac.

It was assumed that the drivers needed to work with the eGPU had not yet been rewritten for ARM. Actually, Rosetta 2, a code translator for Intel into a lively and smart code for the apple modification of ARM, works without problems in similar cases. But not always. Drivers for eGPU did not work and hands have not yet reached them. M1 Macs «see» the eGPUs connected to them — sooner or later everything will work out. USB 4 has nothing to do with it. Although this is a digression, it seems that this «sooner or later» will never happen. GPUs in Apple Silicon are even more radically different from «normal» ones (from Nvidia, AMD, or Intel) than ARMv8.5-A in M1 is different from x86-64 in Intel and AMD CPUs. And they do not just differ, but threaten their affixed rivals with defeat. It’s just that Apple’s GPUs are still small. I’m finishing offtopic — we have already found at least one speck on the reputation of USB 4. Looking for more.

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What is the difference between USB 3 and USB 4

How USB speed has grown with generations

In 2014, along with USB 3.1, a new type of connector appeared — USB-C . Slim and compact, comfortable. Since June 2015, while remaining the same in appearance, USB-C has reconciled USB with Thunderbolt. Connectors that support Thunderbolt, technology manufacturers had to mark the «Harry Potter sign» — a tiny lightning bolt. What only this tiny connector, when connected to Thunderbolt, could not do — supported DisplayPort in several versions, and with the help of an adapter, a bunch of other interfaces. This connector, like previous versions of USB, could also be used for charging. But! Support for power delivery in USB-C was optional. And it wasn’t guaranteed. Life has become a nightmare.

USB 4 support USB PD (Power Delivery) mandatory .

USB 3 versioning seemed to be confusing and confusing to someone at Intel. There were three versions — 3.0, 3.1 and 3.2. With data rates of 5Gbps, 10Gbps and 20Gbps . Marketers called these versions Superspeed USB, Superspeed+ USB and SuperSpeed+ USB dual line. These designations are still in use today. In 2013, after the release of USB 3.1, USB 3.0 was renamed to USB 3.1 Gen 1, and USB 3.1 to USB 3.1 Gen 2. Tough! In response to user complaints and in connection with the release of USB 3.2, the notation was simplified and streamlined again: USB 3.0 (aka USB 3.1 Gen 1) was renamed USB 3.2 Gen 1 × 1, USB 3.1 (aka USB 3.2 Gen 2) was renamed USB 3.2 Gen 2×1, and USB 3.2, which existed in two versions, became known as USB 3.2 Gen 1×2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2.

Are you confused too? And I still have to figure it out somehow. Simply put, the number before the «x» indicates the generation, and the number after the «x» indicates the number of channels. USB 4 is so far only designated as the second option (USB 4 Gen 2 × 2 and USB 4 Gen 3 × 2), and for the public — USB 4 20 Gb / s and USB 4 40 Gb / s . That is, it is twice as fast as USB 3.2.

Except for a single spot on the reputation of USB 4, we did not find any compromising evidence on it. In addition to being the only one, it does not threaten M1 Macs. And the new iPad Pro, which should support USB 4, I hope, too. USB 4 is good.

MacBook Pro 2021USB to iPhoneApple ComputersApple M1 Processor

USB4: Everything you need to know about the new standard!

In August 2019, the mother of all USB ports on the planet earth, the non-profit organization USB-IF, wiped its fingers in the blood, put an end to the 569-page PDF document: the specifications of the new USB4 standard.

And this means that soon we will be able to feel the first devices with the new standard on board!

We have studied the standard in detail, so today we will tell you everything you need to know about USB4 — in capital letters and without a space, that’s the name.

Believe me, there are many small nuances that you won’t find anywhere else.

Let’s start with the fact that the impetus for the creation of USB4 was a kind gesture from Intel Corporation. In March 2019, they donated their Thunderbolt 3 standard to the public. If earlier, manufacturers had to pay Intel for licensing, now everyone, completely free of charge, can shove this fancy interface into their piece of iron. Royal gift!

Naturally, the guys from USB-IF immediately stirred, and announced that they were making a new USB4 standard with full Thunderbolt support.

Now we WOW what we can do! You just look! In USB4 compared to the previous generation:

Data transfer rate will increase 2 times from 20 Gb / s to 40
It will be possible to cut two 4K displays through 1 cable, and not one, as it was before.
It will be possible to simultaneously transfer data to an external SSD and charge the laptop with two connected displays. And all this through one cable! Moreover, the channel width will be effectively distributed between the transmission of the video signal and other types of data. USB 3.2 couldn’t do that.
And, of course, support for eGPU (external video cards) has been added

And there is one problem: all these are Thunderbolt 3 chips. It turns out that the new standard is just a renamed port from Intel?

On the one hand, if you already have a device with Thunderbolt 3, you are actually using USB4 without knowing it. It’s been on Macbooks for 4 years now.

But if in the future you buy a device with USB4, it is not a fact that it will support Thunderbolt, which means we can forget about all those goodies that we just talked about.

Yes, life has decreed that in USB4 support for Thunderbolt and all its advantages is only an option, not a mandatory requirement. It’s like having 5G support on your smartphone. Well, just an option … understand?

Why is that? There are two reasons for this:

The first one is USB Type-C connector.

If older generations of USB supported a bunch of different connectors. And Thunderbolt generally worked through Mini DisplayPort, but starting with USB version 3.2 and Thunderbolt 3, only the Type-C connector remained. USB4 remains true, too, only Type-C.

This means that the large USB connector is finally buried. Let’s hope that they put it in the coffin for dead connectors right away with the right side.

Why is Type-C so dominant? All because of its versatility — this is a real designer.

It has 24 pairs of pins, which is more than enough to be backward compatible with all USB standards since version 1.1, which had only 4 pins.

Moreover, Type-C can work in alternate modes. In this case, some wires in the cable, for example, for data transmission, can be used with alternative protocols. For example, in order to transmit an image.

There are 5 such modes in total:

This is HDMI
DisplayPort
MHL (for connecting mobile phones to a computer)
VirtualLink (for connecting VR headsets)
And, of course, one of these alternate modes is Thunderbolt 3.

i.e. in the USB universe, Thunderbolt was originally just an option that could be turned on or off.

And here we come to the second reason — Ideologies .

The fact is that USB was created as a universal standard that can be used anywhere. If your headphones have a USB connector, you don’t necessarily need support for connecting two 4K displays to them, right? In contrast, from the same Thunderbolt, which is designed to be the most powerful, most advanced, coolest standard. After all, Apple developed it together with Intel.

In the same way, in budget devices, with weak hardware, it is simply not advisable to install USB4 with full stuffing of technologies. So USB-IF gave vendors a choice.

And what, USB 2.0 will now be sold to us under the guise of USB4, since vendors have such freedom? Not! The specs are very clear about which features should be supported and which should not. And it depends on the type of device.

If we are talking about a computer, laptop or just a motherboard with USB4 on board. In this case, the mandatory requirements are:

Speed up to 20 Gbps. Which corresponds to the speed of USB 3.2
DisplayPort support. So it will definitely be possible to cut one 4K monitor.
PowerDelivery support required. Those. It will be possible to quickly charge both the device itself via USB, and be charged from it.

And this is the basic package, not bad.

But speeds up to 40 Gb / s and support for a PCIe controller are already optional things. Which translates into Russian as optional support for Thunderbolt 3.

This means if you buy a laptop with USB4 ports on board, and the specifications do not indicate that this particular device has Thunderbolt 3 support, you can forget about the speed of 40 Gb / c, eGPU support and other joys.