What Happened To Firewire & Thunderbolt?
Past, Present, and Future Connectivity
In the dynamic landscape of creator laptops, Kreative Devices is unwavering in its commitment to universal and reliable connectivity. Our decision not to support Apple's non-standard protocols, such as Firewire and Thunderbolt, stems from a dedication to simplicity, reliability, and future-proofing technology. In this blog, we explore the facts and reasoning behind our choice, drawing parallels between the obsolescence of Firewire with the rise of USB 3 and foreseeing a similar fate for Thunderbolt with the advent of USB 4.
The Evolution of USB Connectivity
USB has evolved into a versatile and powerful standard, providing creators with various speeds:
USB 1.x: 12 Mbps
USB 2.0: 480 Mbps
USB 3.0: 5 Gbps
USB 3.1: 10 Gbps
USB 3.2: 20 Gbps
USB 4: 40 Gbps
USB 2.0: Surpassing Expectations
Contrary to common perceptions, USB 2.0, with its 480 Mbps speed, offers surprising capabilities for audio. Transmitting digital audio data requires a relatively small amount of bandwidth, and USB 2.0 proves to be more than sufficient. At studio standard quality (24Bit/96Khz), USB 2.0 can handle over 40 channels – far exceeding the physical I/O of most audio interfaces available today.
Latency and Processing Speed
A prevailing misconception surrounds USB, Thunderbolt, and latency. The truth is, more bandwidth doesn't equate to faster data travel speed; it simply allows for more simultaneous tasks. The analogy of two highways with the same speed limit illustrates this concept – data travels at the same speed, and adding more lanes (bandwidth) accommodates more tasks (channels). For creators concerned about latency, the connection type plays a minor role compared to the processing speed of the computer, the monitoring method, and the efficiency of the audio interface driver. The real challenge arises when processing signals in real-time, requiring optimal CPU speed and efficient drivers.
With the right CPU, drivers, and settings, the same latency can be achieved with any interface, using any connection type.
USB vs. Thunderbolt
USB's open standard, time-tested reliability, and universal compatibility set it apart from Thunderbolt, a proprietary protocol with inherent implementation costs. While setting up a Thunderbolt interface on a MacBook may seem straightforward, issues often arise when used with Windows, especially for tasks beyond DAW applications. Creators demand hassle-free solutions that work seamlessly across platforms. USB not only meets this criterion but also boasts backward compatibility, and with only two connection types that support each other via commonly sold adapters (which come free with some cell phones), unlike the many dongles used for the various connection types found on old MacBooks; USB-A and USB-C connections ensure continuous functionality with every USB device, past, present, and future.
USB - The Consistent and Reliable Choice
At Kreative Devices, our choice to exclusively support USB-A and USB-C connections in creator laptops is rooted in the belief that simplicity, reliability, and future-proofing technology are paramount. Drawing parallels with the obsolescence of Firewire with the rise of USB 3, we anticipate a similar trajectory for Thunderbolt with the introduction of USB 4. USB stands as the only consistent and reliable connection that will never become obsolete, providing creators with a seamless and dependable experience for years to come. Join us in embracing the future of connectivity with USB.