Intel has finally fulfilled its promises from 2017. USB 4 is officially here and comes as a "royalty-free" version of the famous Thunderbolt 3 interface. It has the same specifications and manufacturers will no longer have to obtain special privileges to use this connector, which is true of the Thunderbolt interface.
Speed up to 40 Gbit / s and two 4K monitors at once
The latest USB 4 standard basically brings the main benefits of the exclusive Thunderbolt 3 interface for everyone. Organization USB-IF officially announced new standard, just shortly after the introduction of the complicated USB 3.2 Gen 2 × 2 interface. However, USB 4 delivers twice the speed, increasing the original 20 Gbit / s up to 40 Gbit / s.
The connector will be able to supply up to 100 W for power supplywhich is enough to use external graphics cards and to power it two 4K monitors or one 5K monitor. You will also need the appropriate cables to use the full 40 Gbit / s speed. However, all existing Thunderbolt 3 (and other accessories) should work well with the new USB 4.
3 years old technology, but for everyone
If we think about it, USB 4 just copies 3 years old technology. But by becoming an open standard, it is likely to become even more affordable and cheaper. This applies not only to the computers themselves, but also to external peripherals such as monitors, docks or external graphics cards.
Although USB 4 integrates the features of Thunderbolt 3, Intel claims that the two standards will coexist. With the difference that USB 4 is open, Thunderbolt 3 is not and Intel requires manufacturers to be certified for use.
The full specifications of USB 4 are to be published in the second half of this year. USB-IF assumes that until manufacturers begin selling devices with this new standard, it may pass next year and a half. We will still wait for the real operation of the new standard. It is not yet known whether we will see it in smartphones and whether they will be able to use it.
