USB-C vs Thunderbolt 3: Which Should You Use to Connect Your MacBook to the Monitor?

The USB Type-C port is at the head of almost every new device, especially Apple MacBook models. It is one of the most confusing standards for users when it comes to combining power, data and video in one. Many people generally assume that any ordinary USB-C cable will work with their MacBook to charge it or connect it to the monitor. Never. You need a special USB-C cable to charge it or connect it to a premium Thunderbolt 3 monitor. Read on before you waste your money buying incompatible cables.

Primarily, all MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini and Mac Pro models released after 2016 have a Thunderbolt 3 port. You’re not the only one who always wonders if you bought the right cable to connect your MacBook to an external monitor. Of course, it is recommended to use a single cable for a higher quality connection and a clutter-free desk. So if you are planning to buy a monitor with USB-C or if you already have one, there are many things to keep in mind before choosing the right cable and monitor.

Speed ​​Difference

The USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port can provide speeds of up to 10Gbps. So you’ll experience these speeds when you connect a compatible SSD or other device with a USB 3.1 port. One thing to note here is that this number is purely theoretical.

Meanwhile, Intel’s proprietary Thunderbolt 3 port can move data at 40 Gbps when connected to a supporting hard drive or a slot. You can also note one advantage of the Thunderbolt 3 cable – it can double as a USB-C cable. However, you can use a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 cable to get Thunderbolt 3 class speeds or features.

However, the shape of the connector on USB-C cables supporting USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 looks the same. So how do you tell the difference and identify the right cable? USB-C cables that support Thunderbolt 3 have the Thunderbolt symbol on both ports.

This is the major difference between both cables and only certified ones carry this symbol. You’ll also find it next to your MacBook’s USB-C ports. Note that plugging the Thunderbolt 3 cable into a regular USB-C port carrying device will make it work just like any other USB-C 3.1 cable.

That’s why you should check the lightning logo on the ports in a product’s photos and the actual cable to verify if it’s a Thunderbolt 3 cable. To be clear, Thunderbolt 3 costs a little more than your regular USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 cables. So you can buy a Thunderbolt 3 cable and also use it for data transfer and charging. When it comes to charging, there is also a distinction.

Power Distribution and Resolution Support

USB-C can be used for power delivery, transfer and video. Power Delivery certified USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 cables can provide up to 100W of power. This means you can use these cables with a compatible USB-C connector with Power Delivery to charge your MacBooks at 100W. This also means your MacBooks will charge faster compared to using a regular USB-C charger.

These USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 cables can also support video output via special DisplayPort Alternate Mode regulation, and you can connect it directly to a DisplayPort or HDMI monitor.

Similarly, Apple-certified USB-C Thunderbolt 3 cables can deliver up to 100W of power. If you have a Mac product released after 2016 then you are in for a treat. A typical Thunderbolt 3 cable can output 4K or 5K video resolution at 60Hz.

All this means you use a single cable to charge your MacBook and at the same time send a video signal to the monitor. However, the catch here is that the respective monitor must support power delivery charging technology to make it worthwhile.

For example, Philips 346B1C USB-C monitor supports up to 90W Power Delivery. That means it’s slightly less than full spec.

The best part is that Thunderbolt 3 also supports DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0. If we talk about external monitors, a single Thunderbolt 3 cable can run a single 5K display at 60Hz or two 4K monitors at 60Hz (more on that later).

Now your main concern should be to choose the right monitor with proper Power Delivery support. You will get a few models such as the LG 38WN95C UltraWide monitor that delivers up to 94W of Power Delivery.

Multiple Monitors Chaining

It goes without saying that multiple monitors help make you more productive. In the case of Windows systems, daisy-chaining (or MST) two or more monitors is an easy task as long as you have a set of compatible monitors and cables with you. What about macOS?

When it comes to USB-C, unfortunately macOS doesn’t let you do much. If you were to connect two USB-C monitors, this would only result in a mirrored screen.

Fortunately, when it comes to Thunderbolt 3, it’s the other way around. Here you can have a real extended display via daisy chaining. For those unaware, the 2019 family 16-inch MacBook Pro can power four 4K monitors via daisy-chaining when connected with Thunderbolt 3 cables. Therefore, Thunderbolt 3 definitely wins when it comes to daisy chaining.

Which Should You Choose: Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C

From the comparison above, it’s pretty clear that Thunderbolt 3 offers greater data transfer speeds, up to two 4K displays, and better daisy-chain support for MacBooks, Mac Mini, iMacs, and Mac Pros running macOS. Things are not the same on the other side of the bridge. USB-C cannot double as Thunderbolt 3.

So, you can opt for a Thunderbolt 3 end-to-end chain by investing in a Thunderbolt 3 monitor like the LG 27MD5KB-B or Samsung 34-inch CJ791 and a solid quality cable. These monitors are quite expensive and you can always get a USB-C monitor and choose one that offers a USB-C output for daisy-chaining.

However, if your budget is tight and you still want 4K quality, there is another way to get the most out of your MacBook’s Thunderbolt port. You can buy a 4K monitor with a DisplayPort 1.4 port and a 144Hz refresh rate. However, you will need a USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) to DisplayPort 1.4 cable to enjoy 4K resolution at 120Hz from your MacBook.