Understanding Thunderbolt 3 Ports

The new ports on the MacBook Pros are billed as Thunderbolt 3, but it is better to think of them as USB-C. They can handle USB, Thunderbolt, video and power. They are a single port to handle just about any peripheral need. If you have old devices and cables, then converters are cheap and easy to find.

Comments: 13 Responses to “Understanding Thunderbolt 3 Ports”

    Bill (William)
    8 years ago

    Thanks for this, Gary.

    STL
    8 years ago

    Please provide a link to the Amazon $2 adapter you mentioned or provide a detailed enough description that I can find it on Amazon. Thanks & I really enjoy your YouTube channel

    fsf
    8 years ago

    I have the same question as "STL".

    Keep up the great education work!!

    Jez
    8 years ago

    There've been a lot of negative comments about the new ports on Macbook Pros but this video shows it's really not a big deal. Thanks Gary

    P'nut411
    8 years ago

    When I ordered my new MacBook Pro and was surprised that cables to make it compatible with my other Apple products didn't come pre-packaged as accessories. (I gritted my teeth as I put them in the cart to order them) A week or so later I received an email from Apple stating that I will be credited a portion of the cost for the cables. A whopping $17 savings.. I'm not impressed by their decision to merely lower the price of these critical cables.

    8 years ago

    P'nut411: What happened is that they changed their prices on those cables. I assume they credited you the difference in the price change since they hadn't shipped yet. What accessories are you using, exactly? I'm curious as I literally use zero wired accessories with my MacBooks and I'm a pretty pro-level user (app developer, video stuff, gadget-lover).

    P'nut411
    8 years ago

    Gary: Yes, I was credited the difference on the price of the cables. I bought the USB-C to Lightning & USB-C to USB Adapter cables. As I understand it, the new ports are faster & better; still, it seems a bit unfair to make customers purchase these adapters, especially on first generation change-ups of ports. My TurboDrive will require the USB-C to USB adapter. How is it that you use NO cables/adapters?

    8 years ago

    P'nut411: My photos sync wirelessly and automatically with iCloud Photo Library. My iPhone uses iCloud so I never have to connect it. I use iCloud Drive and Dropbox, both wireless. I have a time machine backup on my network. I guess if I needed to connect to something, like a USB flash drive or an external microphone or webcam, then I would just use the converters I mentioned above which cost me $4 for a pair of them. But I can't remember the last time I needed to do that.

    John Stires
    8 years ago

    I share P'nut's issues. When I ordered the new MBP, Apple added notes suggesting that I buy four separate dongles to connect with the real world of CF cards (Canon 5D-III), DVD/CD drives (vast audiobook library) and other hard, non-network-able devices. Gritting my teeth all the way I ordered the one USB dongle and also rec'd the lowering of its cost.

    Adam Snyder
    8 years ago

    Thanks for sharing Gary. I'm usually fairly savvy on the all of the different ports for computers & A/V, however this video helped to further my knowledge. Well done!

    P'nut411
    8 years ago

    Congratulations, Gary! You are a super-user! I applaud your dedication to all things cloud based.. for me, I'm just not there yet. Thank you for all the content you continue to share with us. I've learned a ton from you and someday, hopefully, I can be cable-free as well. I truly do appreciate your time and effort.

    Ellen Whelan
    8 years ago

    This is the best explanation I have come across. I, too, am all cloud, but teach, with others, a peer to peer iPad class at a senior center. Class is mostly tech savvy old timers, but put off by new port. This explanation will bridge the gap. Million thanks!

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