Peripheral connectivity has come a long way since the days of PS/2 and SCSI (large-format flatbed scanners, anyone?). While many advancements have made connectivity more streamlined, the arrival of USB-C also introduced a new type of confusion. When USB-C was introduced, we published an article that explains the benefits of this new technology. Now, it's time to dive into the newest standard that uses the USB-C connector type: USB4, and explain how it can help IT pros make business users more productive. USB4 Specifications at a Glance USB4 represents a significant upgrade over earlier USB 3.0 standards. Both USB4 and TB4 use a USB-C connector and both support video passthrough. They can also deliver up to 100W of power, audio, and video. Thunderbolt 4 has higher minimum requirements than USB4. For example, TB4 requires support for dual 4K displays at minimum but that is optional on USB4. Some other key differences in required/optional support can be seen in the chart below. Identifying USB-C Port Capabilities If you're not sure if your organization's host devices (e.g. laptops) with USB-C are USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 compatible, here are four ways you can check: Processor If a device has an Intel® Evo™ or Intel® Core™ vPro® processor, then it’s simple! They are required to have at least one Thunderbolt 4 port (which will also work with USB4 devices). Logos On other systems, USB-C ports that have Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 capabilities should have the distinctive Thunderbolt logo. Other icons may be used to indicate USB4 capabilities specifically, but this can be inconsistent by manufacturer. Device Manager If those first two checks aren’t positive, then the system may have USB4 instead of TB4. One way to check for the USB-C post capabilities is in Device Manager under System Devices. The presence of a USB4 or Thunderbolt controller can indicate if one (or more) of the USB-C ports on the device are indeed USB4 or Thunderbolt enabled. For example, this indicates USB4 is supported on at least one of the USB-C ports: Host System Documentation On some systems, the easiest way to determine the USB-C port capabilities is to consult documentation. For Apple products, here is one available resource: Identify the ports on your Mac - Apple Support. For other products, searching online for something like “[system make/model] USB-C port” and looking for the manufacturer’s product specifications page can be a good start. Under a section like Ports, check for keywords like “Thunderbolt 3” or “USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C supports Power Delivery” or “Thunderbolt 4 USB-C”. Format and terminology can vary, so some further interpretation may be required. What USB-C is Not Let’s also be clear about what USB-C is not. The simple presence of a USB-C port on a host device (e.g. laptop) or a peripheral (e.g. laptop docking station) tells you nothing about the actual capabilities of the device. In fact, it’s possible for a USB-C port to support only USB 2.0 data (circa the year 2000) and nothing else. To understand the features and benefits of a particular device or combination of USB-C devices, you need to know what specific protocols are supported by each component, including the cable. This is where USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 can begin to clarify some things. USB4 Advantages for IT Pros The first consumer devices with USB4 were introduced by Apple in November 2020, and since then the number of devices with support for USB4 has grown substantially to include motherboards, laptops, docking stations, drive enclosures and more. While the specification continues to evolve, USB4 can make life easier for IT Professionals and improve productivity for business users in a variety of ways already: Faster transfer rates up to 40 Gbps: transfer large files such as videos quickly and efficiently. Improved video bandwidth: optionally connect multiple monitors to a single USB4 port. Optional compatibility with Thunderbolt 3: use Thunderbolt 3 devices with USB4 ports. Backward compatibility with USB 2.0 and up: continue to use old devices with new USB4 ports. Power Delivery (PD) of up to 240 watts: charge laptops and other devices quickly and efficiently. As you can see, there are some practical benefits to using USB4 in your technology solutions. You can futureproof your business by incorporating USB4 compatible devices and connectivity accessories in your deployments today. Check out our 3ft USB-IF Certified USB4 Cable or Thunderbolt 4 Certified Laptop Dock products, and watch for more USB4 products coming soon!