Thunderbolt vs USB-C for Video Output
Video output technology has come a long way since the days of VGA and DVI ports on our computers. Today, with the advent of high-resolution displays, there are many options to choose from when it comes to display interface technology. Two of the most popular are Thunderbolt and USB-C. In this blog post, we will do a head-to-head comparison between Thunderbolt and USB-C for video output and see which one comes out on top.
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is a high-speed data transfer technology that was originally developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple. Thunderbolt supports data transfer rates of up to 40 Gbps and the ability to daisy-chain up to six devices. Thunderbolt also supports video output, up to 4K at 60Hz, as well as audio.
One of the biggest advantages of Thunderbolt over USB-C for video output is bandwidth. Thunderbolt can provide up to 40 Gbps of bandwidth, which is more than enough for video output, even at high resolutions. With Thunderbolt, you can connect multiple 4K displays to your computer without sacrificing performance.
USB-C
USB-C is a newer display interface technology that was introduced in 2014. USB-C supports data transfer rates of up to 10 Gbps and the ability to daisy-chain up to six devices. USB-C also supports video output, up to 4K at 60Hz, as well as audio.
One advantage of USB-C over Thunderbolt is its ubiquity. USB-C is a standard that is supported by virtually all modern computers and devices, whereas Thunderbolt is typically only found on newer Apple computers and a limited number of PC laptops.
However, USB-C's lower bandwidth can be a problem for video output at high resolutions. While USB-C can support 4K displays at 60Hz, it may struggle with multiple 4K displays or displays with higher refresh rates.
Which one should you choose?
The answer to this question largely depends on your needs. If you are a professional who needs to connect multiple high-resolution displays to your computer, Thunderbolt is the way to go. Thunderbolt's higher bandwidth ensures that you can connect multiple displays without sacrificing performance.
However, if you're a regular user who only needs to connect one or two displays to your computer, USB-C is likely more than sufficient. USB-C is also a more universal standard and is supported by a wider range of devices.
Conclusion
Thunderbolt and USB-C are both capable display interface technologies that support video output at high resolutions. Thunderbolt offers higher bandwidth, making it ideal for professional use, while USB-C is a more ubiquitous standard that is more than sufficient for most consumers. Ultimately, the choice between Thunderbolt and USB-C will come down to your individual needs.