{"id":26214,"date":"2017-01-06T08:54:51","date_gmt":"2017-01-06T13:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/?p=26214"},"modified":"2017-01-04T15:53:54","modified_gmt":"2017-01-04T20:53:54","slug":"understanding-the-relationship-between-thunderbolt-3-and-usb-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/understanding-the-relationship-between-thunderbolt-3-and-usb-c\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Relationship between Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apple\u2019s new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models rely on a new kind of connection port: Thunderbolt 3. Unfortunately, while this switch is great from a technical standpoint, it has caused confusion in the Mac world. Let\u2019s sort it all out.<\/p>\n

The root of the confusion is the fact that Thunderbolt 3 uses a different physical connector than Thunderbolt 1 and 2. They relied on the physical Mini DisplayPort connector, which made sense since they are commonly used to connect monitors. Thunderbolt 3 instead relies on the reversible USB-C connector that has previously appeared in the Mac world only on the 12-inch MacBook, where it replaces USB-A.<\/p>\n

\"thunderbolt-3-cables\"<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the key fact to remember: all USB-C devices, cables, adapters, and chargers should work when plugged into a Thunderbolt 3 port, but Thunderbolt 3-specific peripherals will not<\/b> work when plugged into the USB-C port of a 12-inch MacBook. In short, Thunderbolt 3 is a superset of USB-C.<\/p>\n

The only visible difference between a Thunderbolt 3 cable and a USB-C cable is that a Thunderbolt 3 cable is labeled with the same lightning logo used on previous Thunderbolt cables. USB-C-only cables may be labeled with SS+ for SuperSpeed+.<\/p>\n

If you buy a new MacBook Pro and want to connect it to older devices that lack Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C ports, you\u2019ll need a special cable, adapter, or dock. Apple makes a number of these, and more are available from numerous independent manufacturers. The two most important adapters to get are Apple\u2019s Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter and a USB-C to USB-A adapter.<\/p>\n

\"thunderbolt-3-tb2-usb-c\"<\/p>\n

With those handy, you can connect to any Thunderbolt device (including many older Macs and Apple\u2019s Thunderbolt Display) and any USB device. You can also add Apple\u2019s older Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter and Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter to connect to Ethernet networks and FireWire hard drives.<\/p>\n

\"thunderbolt-3-ethernet-firewire\"<\/p>\n

Connecting to other displays requires additional adapters, which are specific to the different video standards. Apple makes adapters for USB-C to HDMI and VGA, but not for USB-C to DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, and DVI, so you\u2019ll have to turn to another manufacturer for displays that rely on those last three standards.<\/p>\n

\"thunderbolt-3-hdmi-vga\"<\/p>\n

The practical upshot of all this is that if you have a new MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3, you may need to get a couple of adapters to be able to migrate data from an older Mac, connect to your existing accessories, and drive external displays and projectors. (Macworld has a nice guide to all the possibilities<\/a>.) That\u2019s an unfortunate fact of life right now, but in a few years, once most peripherals support USB-C and new Macs come with Thunderbolt 3, there will be one cable to rule them all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Apple\u2019s new MacBook Pro models sport both the snazzy Touch Bar and Thunderbolt 3 ports. But since Thunderbolt 3 uses USB-C connectors, many people are confused about how to connect older peripherals. If that\u2019s you, head over to our blog for an explanation of the relationship between Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26217,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[39,5,53,138,140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-mac","category-mac-blog","category-thunderbolt-3","category-usb-c"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thunderbolt-3-photo-1080x675.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6YLEm-6OO","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":26013,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/just-announced-new-macbook-pro-with-touch-bar\/","url_meta":{"origin":26214,"position":0},"title":"Just Announced: New MacBook Pro with Touch Bar","author":"computeradv","date":"October 28, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Apple just announced new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros with an entirely new input device, the Touch Bar, that replaces the function keys above the keyboard and includes a Touch ID sensor. Check out our blog to learn what the Touch Bar can do for you, and what else is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"MacBook Pro with touchbar","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30167,"url":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/need-to-move-lots-of-data-between-macs-try-target-disk-mode\/","url_meta":{"origin":26214,"position":1},"title":"Need to Move Lots of Data Between Macs? Try Target Disk Mode","author":"computeradv","date":"December 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"If you ever have to move tens or hundreds of gigabytes of data between Macs, give Target Disk Mode a try. It\u2019s fast, easy, and reliable.","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/need-to-move-lots-of-data-between-macs-try-target-disk-mode.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/need-to-move-lots-of-data-between-macs-try-target-disk-mode.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/need-to-move-lots-of-data-between-macs-try-target-disk-mode.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/need-to-move-lots-of-data-between-macs-try-target-disk-mode.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/need-to-move-lots-of-data-between-macs-try-target-disk-mode.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":33836,"url":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/new-m1-pro-and-m1-max-chips-power-the-14-inch-and-16-inch-macbook-pros\/","url_meta":{"origin":26214,"position":2},"title":"New M1 Pro and M1 Max Chips Power the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros","author":"computeradv","date":"October 21, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Last year, Apple started to transition Macs away from Intel processors to its custom M1 system-on-a-chip. The M1\u2019s performance is stellar, but Apple has used it only in low-end models so far: the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and new 24-inch iMac. For professionals looking for more power,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AirPods"","block_context":{"text":"AirPods","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/airpods\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/new-m1-pro-and-m1-max-chips-power-the-14-inch-and-16-inch-macbook-pros.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/new-m1-pro-and-m1-max-chips-power-the-14-inch-and-16-inch-macbook-pros.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/new-m1-pro-and-m1-max-chips-power-the-14-inch-and-16-inch-macbook-pros.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/new-m1-pro-and-m1-max-chips-power-the-14-inch-and-16-inch-macbook-pros.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/new-m1-pro-and-m1-max-chips-power-the-14-inch-and-16-inch-macbook-pros.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28287,"url":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/the-best-apple-related-gifts-for-2018\/","url_meta":{"origin":26214,"position":3},"title":"The Best Apple-Related Gifts for 2018","author":"computeradv","date":"November 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Black Friday and the start of the holiday shopping seasons are nearly upon us. If you\u2019re looking for gift ideas for your Apple-using loved ones, we have a few suggestions that are guaranteed to be popular. Apple Watch The new Apple Watch Series 4 may be the gift hit of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AirPods"","block_context":{"text":"AirPods","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/airpods\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/gift-guide-Apple-Watch-Series-4-fall-607x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/gift-guide-Apple-Watch-Series-4-fall-607x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/gift-guide-Apple-Watch-Series-4-fall-607x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28445,"url":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/keyboard-service-program-for-macbook-and-macbook-pro\/","url_meta":{"origin":26214,"position":4},"title":"Keyboard Service Program for MacBook and MacBook Pro","author":"computeradv","date":"December 12, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Apple has determined that a small percentage of the keyboards in certain MacBook and MacBook Pro models may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors: Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly Letters or characters do not appear Key(s) feel \"sticky\" or do not respond in a consistent manner Apple or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Repair Extension Program"","block_context":{"text":"Repair Extension Program","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/service\/repair-extension-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":27806,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/what-is-the-best-hard-drive-to-use-for-your-backups\/","url_meta":{"origin":26214,"position":5},"title":"What Is The Best Hard Drive to Use for Your Backups?","author":"computeradv","date":"May 22, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Backing up your Mac is like flossing your teeth: everyone knows they should do it every night, but too many people never get around to it. Unlike flossing, once you set up backups, they don\u2019t require daily attention. And turning on Apple\u2019s Time Machine backup feature is easy\u2014simply open System\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Apple Pros"","block_context":{"text":"Apple Pros","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/apple-pros\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/backup-drive-Time-Machine.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/backup-drive-Time-Machine.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/backup-drive-Time-Machine.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26214"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26214\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26217"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}