USB C and Thunderbolt 3. Confused

[OffbeatBryce]

Hello,

I found a Dell XPS i7 16GB ram computer. I'm confused exactly what the difference is between USB C and Thunderbolt 3. according to the specs of the XPS on Dell website it says it's a USB C 2nd gen which features display port, thunderbolt 3, audio etc. But does that mean that any Thunderbolt 3 device I purchase such as a Hard Drive External etc it will get Thunderbolt 3 speeds?

Just wondering.

Here is what the specs say for the USB C port.

"Thunderbolt™ 3 (2 lanes of PCI Express Gen 3) supporting: Power in/charging, PowerShare, Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps bi-directional), USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps), Native DisplayPort 1.2 video output, VGA, HDMI, Ethernet and USB-A via Dell Adapter (sold separately) "

Here is the link to the Laptop. http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/cty/pdp/spd/xps-15-9560-laptop/smx15w10p2c1608

 

[k1114]

It's a tb3 port. I don't see anywhere mentioning it's a usb-c port or usb type c port or anything except tb3. It says usb 3.1 gen 2 but not c. But I understand the confusion which stems from the use of a type c connection that supports different modes. The connection should really be ignored. If it states it's a usb port then it only supports usb data mode. If it states it's a tb3 port, it supports all those other modes.

 

[OffbeatBryce]

but isn't a usb c cable the same plug as a thunderbolt 3?

Even more confusion Best Buy lists the same computer but as a USB C port instead

 

[k1114]

Tb3 uses the same type c connection but usb 3.1g2 is lower power and a usb 3.1g2 cable will not run at tb3 speeds and power. You'd need a tb3 cable. Again, ignore connection and go off the what the port is, thunderbolt or usb or whatever. Almost every data port in the future will start using the same type c port but it doesn't mean it's a usb port (usb mode only), or a tb3 port or whatever. They have different logos printed by the port so you know which one it is without having a spec sheet.

If you notice I call it a type c port and not usb-c because that confuses it with usb. I know others will always call it usb-c but just like this situation, it confuses people.

 

[OffbeatBryce]

okay but can I buy a USB c external drive and make it work with the Thunderbolt 3 port on the XPS laptop?

 

[k1114]

Tb3 includes it all which is why it's the best. If type c supports it, tb3 has it. You already listed all the different modes it supports.

 

[Glenwing]

Hello,

I found a Dell XPS i7 16GB ram computer. I'm confused exactly what the difference is between USB C and Thunderbolt 3. according to the specs of the XPS on Dell website it says it's a USB C 2nd gen which features display port, thunderbolt 3, audio etc. But does that mean that any Thunderbolt 3 device I purchase such as a Hard Drive External etc it will get Thunderbolt 3 speeds?

Just wondering.

Here is what the specs say for the USB C port.

"Thunderbolt™ 3 (2 lanes of PCI Express Gen 3) supporting: Power in/charging, PowerShare, Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps bi-directional), USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps), Native DisplayPort 1.2 video output, VGA, HDMI, Ethernet and USB-A via Dell Adapter (sold separately) "

Here is the link to the Laptop. http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/cty/pdp/spd/xps-15-9560-laptop/smx15w10p2c1608

TB3 is basically a USB-C port that supports additional features. It can still do everything that a normal USB-C port can do, and is compatible with all USB-C devices, cables, adapters, etc, plus some extra TB3-specific things (like increased 40 Gbit/s speeds and higher display modes) if connected to a device that also supports TB3.