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User profile for user: mephistocles
mephistocles Author
User level: Level 1
16 points

thunderbolt and USB 3 ports on the 2021 M1 imac - questions on a rundown of speed and power

A few questions on this overall


I have the 4 port iMac so two thunderbolt and 2 USB3 ports.


1) what are the operating speeds of each type of port - I believe the thunderbolt ones are up to 40gbs and the 3.1 ones are lesser but how much less?


2) what are the operating powers of each port? for charging purposes - I ask this as have been charging various devices but have discovered that the thunderbolt ports will charge all apple devices but not eg Anker Powerpack, but the USB3.1 ports will charge all and any device. My Q is will thunderbolt ports charge larger devices eg laptops quicker?


3) see the attached photos - sometimes the report will show the USB3.1 ports being connected to either an iPhone or Apple Watch charger but the USB4 / thunderbolt ports won't describe any device attached to them regardless of whether apple or other -could it be that they only show thunderbolt connections when a proper thunderbolt lead is attached?


Thanks in advance.


iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Nov 27, 2021 4:39 AM

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User profile for user: hcsitas
hcsitas
User level: Level 6
12,806 points

Nov 27, 2021 5:16 AM in response to mephistocles

The spec has the speeds, snapshotted below. As for power capacity, both 3 and USB4 are capable of up to 100W depending on what’s connected and also the vendor’s implementation. Apple doesn’t provide power specifics in the spec but it’s well known that macOS together with the hardware regulates and monitors power draw based on what’s connected to which port.


In all cases, Apple devices will charge faster while mileage will vary for 3rd party devices i.e. you’ll need to come up with your own mileage numbers through trial and error assuming the 3rd party manufacturer didn’t. No one size fits all, unfortunately.

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thunderbolt and USB 3 ports on the 2021 M1 imac - questions on a rundown of speed and power

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