What is Thunderbolt 3?
Thunderbolt is designed as an all-in-one port. Most significantly, it allows users to connect high speed devices that would normally be integrated into a motherboard.
Technically, it could be the only port you'd ever need for new generation peripherals. The HP EliteBook 800 G5 however, still provides legacy port support for a wide range of connectors in addition to Thunderbolt 3 including a LAN port, USB 3.0 and HP's standard docking connector.
It also provides a single port for connecting to docks that can support all high speed desktop accessories while suppling power to charge the notebook.
Technically, it could be the only port you'd ever need for new generation peripherals. The HP EliteBook 800 G5 however, still provides legacy port support for a wide range of connectors in addition to Thunderbolt 3 including a LAN port, USB 3.0 and HP's standard docking connector.
It also provides a single port for connecting to docks that can support all high speed desktop accessories while suppling power to charge the notebook.
Thunderbolt 3 versus USB-C™
USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 both use the same connector. USB-C devices and adaptors can be used with Thunderbolt equipped notebooks including the HP EliteBook 800 series, but notebooks that are equipped with only USB-C ports cannot connect to Thunderbolt peripherals. To tell the difference, look for the lightning bolt symbol - this indicates Thunderbolt 3 support.
Both USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 support:
- Rapid charge - which for the HP EliteBook 800 G5 series allows the battery to recharge to 50% within 30 minutes when using a 65 watt rated HP power adapter
- DisplayPort pass-through for resolutions up to 2x 4K monitors
- USB-C Adaptors and Docks for connecting VGA displays, USB 3.0, HDMI, DisplayPort monitors, LAN ports providing power and other peripherals (varies by adapter or dock)
- USB-C peripherals including high speed storage and USB-C monitors
But only Thunderbolt 3 equipped notebooks also support:
- Thunderbolt 3 docks and adaptors for high speed peripherals
- Thunderbolt displays
- Thunderbolt high speed storage arrays
- External high performance 3D graphics controllers from nVidia or AMD (compatibility verification is recommended)
How fast is Thunderbolt 3?
- Up to 40Gbps (Gigabits per second)
- When connected to USB-C devices, the Thunderbolt 3 port supports USB-C speeds (up to 10Gbps)
- By comparison, the initial USB 1.x standard supported speeds of up to 12Mbps (around 3000 times slower than Thunderbolt 3)
Why does it matter to my users?
As well as supporting universal chargers for new generation smart phones, tablets and notebooks, Thunderbolt 3 allows considerably faster devices to be connected to user computers.
For environments that are considering VR, Thunderbolt 3 allows desktop-class 3D graphics controllers to be connected that far exceed the capability of most mobile 3D accelerators.
Thunderbolt 3 docks also allow users to connect all desktop devices including up to two 4K displays with none of the display lag restrictions of slower connections. 4K displays are supported at refresh rates up to 60Hz (far exceeding the 24Hz commonly found with HDMI 1.4 connections).
This makes the new HP EliteBook 800 G5 more flexible and more user-friendly - particularly for power users.
For environments that are considering VR, Thunderbolt 3 allows desktop-class 3D graphics controllers to be connected that far exceed the capability of most mobile 3D accelerators.
Thunderbolt 3 docks also allow users to connect all desktop devices including up to two 4K displays with none of the display lag restrictions of slower connections. 4K displays are supported at refresh rates up to 60Hz (far exceeding the 24Hz commonly found with HDMI 1.4 connections).
This makes the new HP EliteBook 800 G5 more flexible and more user-friendly - particularly for power users.
