Lukáš Čambala
When Apple came out with its new MacBook with a single new connector type USB-C, there was a wave of resentment, mainly due to the need to use reducers, because the accessories are not yet ready for the new generation of USB. As it now seems, Intel also sees great potential in USB-C, which is why it has decided to use it for its Thunderbolt standard, now in its 3rd generation.
Apple came up with the new Thunderbolt connector as one of the few. There is great potential hidden in the connector, as it provides not only a high-speed interface, but also the possibility of connecting monitors. Thanks to Intel's innovation, Apple will be able to replace Thunderbolt in the existing MacBook Pro line with universal USB-C connectors, but while maintaining full compatibility with existing peripherals.
The new Thunderbolt 3 generation increases the theoretical speed compared to the second generation by up to two times, to 40 Gbps, thanks to which it will be possible to easily transfer large files in a fraction of the time, as well as the possibility of using additional displays with high resolutions. The solution provides the possibility of using up to two 4K monitors at a frequency of 60 Hz.
Between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 2/1 will remain with the use of an adapter, since the connectors of USB-C and the current Thunderbolt are not the same, 2015% compatibility for connecting various existing peripherals, with Intel saying that new devices equipped with the new connector should reach the market before the end year. It is also interesting that other companies are also interested in the new USB-C connector, such as Google, which at its Google I/O XNUMX considered USB-C a done deal and the only vision of the future.
But we certainly can't expect Apple to replace all solutions with a single connector for its MacBook Pro line, as it did with its new MacBook. After all, professionals require multiple solutions at once, and therefore we could rather expect the current Thunderbolt to be replaced by at least two or three USB-C ports.
As this year's Computex also proved, USB-C is spreading dangerously fast. The connector offers enough "power" to charge a laptop, transmit a video signal, and then there are the transfer speeds. USB-C could also "kill" connectors such as HDMI and others. However, the problem with USB-C is that not all devices are able to take full advantage of it.
Unfortunately, the biggest potential enemy of the new standard is its stablemate – USB-A. We've had this connector pretty much since the beginning of time, and it doesn't look like it's going away anytime soon. As Intel also adds, USB-C is not supposed to replace USB-A, at least not yet, and they should rather work in parallel. So it will mainly be up to the OEMs to decide whether they can buck the trend or not.
"Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 2 will remain 100% compatible" - My understanding is that I can easily push Thunderbolt 3 in USB-C form into Thunderbolt 2 in my current MBP, where do I stick the Thunderbolt Display? :))
100% = both ways… ThunderBolt 3 to ThunderBolt 2 connector and ThunderBolt 2 to ThunderBolt 3 connector.
Compatibility will remain, but of course an adapter will have to be used. Thanks for the heads up, we missed it. Completed.
And what about TB1 compatibility? Does it apply that if TB1 is compatible with TB2 and TB2 with TB3 then TB1 is compatible with TB3 + adapter?
I suppose so. They have the same connectors.
Yes, it should be.
Fine, but these "connector games" are really hell. And as is well known, what hell takes will never come back.
Thunderbolt hasn't even gotten off the ground yet, and we're already kicking him.
A person should have a million reductions and similar nonsense.
One is a change in USB, then Magsafe, then lightning...
So I just hope that USB-C will last more than 3-4 years at least.