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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Desktop Hardware
USB C to Thunderbolt port on 2011 iMac
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<blockquote data-quote="Randy B. Singer" data-source="post: 1938896" data-attributes="member: 190607"><p>You are correct, but the way you describe it is confusing, possibly even to yourself.</p><p></p><p>Think of it this way. USB-C is the shape of the connectors on the cable, or of the port you are plugging into. That cable with USB-C connectors at both ends might be made to be compatible with any one of a bunch of different transmission protocols. The protocol is what determines how fast data can move through the cable ideally. "USB-C" is not all a description for a transmission protocol, only for the hardware connector.</p><p></p><p>The most common names of the transmission protocols are: USB 3.0 (5Gbps), USB 3.1 (10Gbps), USB4 (40Gbps), Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps). and Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps). (Yes, those last three all offer the same speed. Though the three aren't identical with regard to other capabilities.)</p><p></p><p>What you are calling a "USB-C port" is, in actuality a "USB 3.0 port", or a "USB 3.1 port", with a USB-C connector. It's the same with compatible cables. e.g. a "USB 3.1 cable with USB-C connectors."</p><p></p><p>A "Thunderbolt port" is either a Thunderbolt 3 port, or a Thunderbolt 4 port, with a USB-C connector. Once again the nomenclature is the same with compatible cables.</p><p></p><p>Figuring out which cable to use gets easier when you know that OWC offers USB-C cables that work at best available speed for any and all of the above transmission protocols.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Randy B. Singer, post: 1938896, member: 190607"] You are correct, but the way you describe it is confusing, possibly even to yourself. Think of it this way. USB-C is the shape of the connectors on the cable, or of the port you are plugging into. That cable with USB-C connectors at both ends might be made to be compatible with any one of a bunch of different transmission protocols. The protocol is what determines how fast data can move through the cable ideally. "USB-C" is not all a description for a transmission protocol, only for the hardware connector. The most common names of the transmission protocols are: USB 3.0 (5Gbps), USB 3.1 (10Gbps), USB4 (40Gbps), Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps). and Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps). (Yes, those last three all offer the same speed. Though the three aren't identical with regard to other capabilities.) What you are calling a "USB-C port" is, in actuality a "USB 3.0 port", or a "USB 3.1 port", with a USB-C connector. It's the same with compatible cables. e.g. a "USB 3.1 cable with USB-C connectors." A "Thunderbolt port" is either a Thunderbolt 3 port, or a Thunderbolt 4 port, with a USB-C connector. Once again the nomenclature is the same with compatible cables. Figuring out which cable to use gets easier when you know that OWC offers USB-C cables that work at best available speed for any and all of the above transmission protocols. [/QUOTE]
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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Desktop Hardware
USB C to Thunderbolt port on 2011 iMac
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