USB

USB Type-C to PC / Laptop USB port; USB type-C to another type of ports

(USB Type-C connectors can be used for data transfer, power supply and even video and audio)

USB Type-C is a smaller, reversible iteration of the traditional USB port. Its connector is symmetrical. USB Type-C cables and ports are also small enough to work with smartphones and other smaller devices. In smartphones, USB type-C is replacing the Micro-USB connector you’d find on the bottom of your device. You can find them on everything from a Samsung smartphone to a Nintendo Switch. The speed at which a device charges with a USB Type-C cable ultimately depends on whether it is plugged into a USB 3.1, USB 3.2, or Thunderbolt 3 port.

USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 - explanation

Thunderbolt is a relatively new technology launched in 2011 through a development collaboration between Intel and Apple and now is owned by Intel. Thunderbolt was only compatible with Apple MacBook Pro, but Thunderbolt 3 universalized the technology and made it compatible with USB Type-C. Thunderbolt 3 has adopted the USB Type-C format, so all Thunderbolt 3 ports can use regular USB Type-C cables (connectors). Devices with Thunderbolt ports are also more expensive, but a USB Type-C port allows Thunderbolt cables to connect in all cases. USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 technology are now largely interchangeable. USB Type-C cables (connectors) are now fully compatible with Thunderbolt ports, and USB Type-C ports are compatible with Thunderbolt cables.

However, there are some key differences between the two:

1.) Thunderbolt 3 has higher performance requirements than USB Type-C, so not all USB Type-C cables are of high enough quality to run at Thunderbolt speeds. So, you can use Thunderbolt cables with a USB Type-C port but not every Windows computer with USB Type-C ports will support Thunderbolt 3 cables.

2.) Thunderbolt 3 supports PCI Express (protocols) for using external graphics cards, DisplayPort for driving multiple 4K monitors or a single 5K monitor. Thunderbolt 3 has a PCIe data transfer speed of 16 Gbps;

Thunderbolt 4 supports 4K to dual monitors or 8K to a single monitor. Thunderbolt 4 supports a PCIe data transfer speed of 32 Gbps.

You’ll find Thunderbolt 3 ports on many Apple devices (MacBook Pro has Thunderbolt 3/USB type-C ports) and some Windows laptops like the ASUS Predator. So, If you use, for example, a Lightning (Male) to USB Type-C (Male) adapter cable, which you can find here on USB-Wireless.com, you will be able to connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to your USB Type-C or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) enabled Mac for syncing and charging.

Micro USB to PC / laptop USB port; Micro USB to another type of ports

(This small port is still often the preferred charging connector by many manufacturers of smartphones and low-power tablets. It's not very likely to see it on a laptop or desktop computer. Regular micro USB ports support USB 2.0 speeds /480 Mbps/, but there are a few devices, mostly external hard drives, that have micro USB 3.0 ports that have some extra pins and offer faster transfer speeds.)

Lightning 8-pin connector

The Lightning connector is used to connect Apple mobile devices (iPhone / iPad / iPod / Apple’s wireless keyboard - mouse, Apple pencil /Lightning port/) to PC, USB battery charger, camera, monitor and other peripheral devices. In fact, you can connect/charge your iOS devices with whatever port you prefer. You can find the Lightning connector in different versions of adapter cables with USB-A or USB type-C ends - male and female.

(8 pins instead of 30 pins /Apple 30 pin connector/; Digital signal transmission)