selecting the appropriate USB port to connect your gadgets can be significantly easier. However, the confusion persists even though they are all USB-C. Certain ports are more advantageous than others, and Apple promotes the majority of its ports as Thunderbolt rather than merely USB-C. So, how can you determine which one is the right choice?
It may be tempting to assume that all USB-C ports are the same, but that’s not true. Some ports are designated as Thunderbolt yet are still USB-C connectors; they simply employ a different protocol than standard USB-C ports. This allows them to offer additional features such as enhanced transfer speeds and the capability to transmit video to an external display. Thus, if your intention is to connect an external monitor, opting for a Thunderbolt connector is the only route, as standard USB-C ports can solely transmit video signals using DisplayPort Alt Mode, a functionality that modern MacBooks only provide through Thunderbolt ports. The distinctions between the two protocols highlight the necessity of understanding what to search for when selecting between a Thunderbolt and a USB-C monitor, as well as the implications of USB ports having different colors.
Some older MacBooks still provided USB-A connectors (which appear more like rectangular ports compared to the rounded USB-C connectors). These usually rely on outdated technology that doesn’t deliver the same functionalities as USB-C.
