This means that each device connects to the next device, rather than all having to plug into a separate port into your MacBook. Like USBs, it is plug-and-play but allows you to daisy chain a wide variety of peripherals including displays, storage devices, video capture cards, and more. Thunderbolt ports are available on all MacBook Pro models and are Apple’s focus for long-term Mac expansion. Ideal for connecting an external display or monitor or external hard drive to your computer, Thunderbolt represents the best in peripheral connectivity. Thunderbolt is a relatively new technology developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple. Let’s see how the two display interfaces stand up to each other and which one’s better. Thunderbolt is significantly faster than USB 3.0 or FireWire and provides more video bandwidth than HDMI.

Connecting certain peripherals to Mac using the Thunderbolt port offers a great alternative to using a FireWire connection. Similar to USB, it is plug-and-play but allows you to daisy chain multiple devices together. It is the latest and the fastest connection type yet, ideal for connecting an external display or monitor or external hard drive to your computer. Thunderbolt is the latest in peripheral connectivity and a high-speed connection technology that supports both data and HD display data on a single cable. HDMI ports can be found in almost every consumer electronics device including HDTVs, DVRs, music players, etc. In simple terms, HDMI combines audio and video into a single digital interface for use in video game consoles, Blu-ray players, HDTVs, audio receivers, etc. When it comes to connecting your laptop to your monitor or TV, HDMI is the preferred connection type capable of transferring high-definition audio and video over a single cable. Today, most of the televisions are equipped with at least one HDMI port. Short for High Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI is the standard for connecting high-definition video devices.

Cable thunderbolt to hdmi