If you ’ve been on the lookout for a laptop over thelast tenner , you ’ll have likely noticed the Thunderbolt logotype on many a model . Intel ’s connectivity standard is now in its fifth generation , withThunderbolt 5 . Here are all the key details on the speedy connector .
Thunderbolt has become a major part of many laptop stipulation , showing up on a wide selection of Apple Mac equipment and Intel - equipped devices over the last several year .
The criterion has long been a co - speculation between Intel and Apple , with the former largely taking the lead . These are the important nuggets of information on the lightning - dissipated Thunderbolt connectivity standard .
What is Thunderbolt?
Thunderbolt is a technologydeveloped by Intel , with affaire from Apple . The connectivity touchstone was produce to provide ability , data transference and television over a unique joining . Thunderbolt cables and embrasure are often typify by a “ thunderbolt ” logo . These equipment and peripheral must fill minimum requirements to adorn the Thunderbolt logotype .
Thunderbolt was initially conceived by Intel as “ Light Peak ” before settle on the eventual name . The first looping of Thunderbolt debuted on a range of Apple Macs in 2011 , including models of MacBook Pro , Mac mini and iMac . The technology would then begin look on other twist , such as Windows laptop computer that featured Intel chips , motherboards and more . The port used was a Mini DisplayPort , which stay as the larboard of pick for Thunderbolt 2 as well .
With Thunderbolt 3 , Intel moved the standard toUSB - hundred , which has rest throughThunderbolt 4and Thunderbolt 5 . bolt 5 was announced in 2023 , supporting 120GB / s bandwidth through Bandwidth boost , multiple 8 K displays and up to 240W charging . bolt of lightning 4 is expected to cohere around , with the fifth iteration becoming a high - end selection for power users .
Thunderbolt is found almost entirely on Apple or Intel flake - sporting machine but it is actually a royalty - free engineering science , so companies like AMD and Qualcomm could choose to utilise the engineering .
Thunderbolt typically sets the standard for the next USB , with USB 4 launching six years after Thunderbolt 3 and boast many of the specifications that debuted on the latter . USB 4 is also for the most part aligned with the eyeglasses of Thunderbolt 4 .
