Apple has always been a game-changer in the tech industry, a juggernaut that upends the status quo and changes the way we see tech. With their latest innovations, it seems that the future of Thunderbolt 3 is now coming into question. As this new technology evolves, there are a lot of questions being raised about Thunderbolt 3 support & Thunderbolt USB support and what that might look like in the future. Apple & Intel have successfully partnered together for many years to develop and improve the Thunderbolt technology, but that chapter has now concluded as Apple transitions its product lines away from Thunderbolt.

The background of Thunderbolt 3

Apple and Thunderbolt have a long history together. Before Thunderbolt entered the tech field, the USB  was the foundation for it all. For reference, there are two general categories for multi-purpose connections: The USB and Thunderbolt, and both operate differently.

Although commonly used, the term USB-C by itself may not mean as much when it comes to data and charging, but the evolution of the USB itself has been pivotal for the USB-C connector.

At its core, the USB was designed to be a standardized tool used across different devices. As the USBs evolved and took various forms, the aim was to improve its speed. 

The Thunderbolt was introduced as a joint venture between Apple and Intel, meant to serve as an alternative to USB that could handle up to six devices. As the Thunderbolt evolved, its bandwidth increased - particularly with the introduction of Thunderbolt 3. The Thunderbolt 3 included compatibility with USB-C and Thunderbolt USB support. 

Thunderbolt 3 and its compatibility with USB-C enabled the Thunderbolt 3 devices to increase power delivery capabilities and improved users’ overall experience. However, with Intel’s introduction of Thunderbolt 4, new changes are brewing for Thunderbolt USB 4 compatibility. Thunderbolt 4 offers improved support compared to Thunderbolt 3, including increased support and increased data transfers.

Apple has released the new M1 powered MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13-inch, and Mac Mini. They included Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports in their new Macs running these M1 processors.  

We know that our customers want to know about compatibility between the new M1-based Macs and Satechi adapter solutions… 

All of Satechi’s USB-C docks are fully compatible with the new M1-based Macs including the ability to charge a laptop and more.

  

However, the only limitation is that the new M1-based Macs cannot support dual “Extended” displays through their Thunderbolt 3 ports, which is a big departure from previous Thunderbolt 3 Macs. 

During our testing, we have discovered that Dual Extended display support (with the Dual HDMI and Dual Multimedia adapters) are not possible on either the new Apple MacBook Air or MacBook Pro 

The M1 Mac mini can handle a 6K display and a 4K display (one through USB-C and one through the included HDMI port). Where an Intel Mac can handle 2 external 4K displays, and a single 6K display, in addition to the built-in HDMI.  

This means that when using the adapters, users cannot extend their desktop over two displays, and will be limited to either dual “Mirrored” displays or 1 external display. 

This is not a limitation of OUKKE USB-C docks, but of the Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 ports on the new M1-based Macs. Users with Intel-based Macs and (some) Windows 10 PC users can still benefit from dual “Extended” displays when using OUKKE DUAL docks.  

 All other functionality of our docks including laptop charging will work as normal. 

We hope this information helps explain the new compatibility with video output on the new Mac line-up. We are working closely with our developers for a possible workaround/firmware update in the future. 

As devices evolve over the years, they change in size, design, and functionality… but one thing you always need is MORE POWER! Yes, there is a wide range of fast charging protocols and PD chargers on the market today, but what if you could have a better and more powerful device that was not only smaller... but can run cooler and allow for multiple connections? It sounds too good to be true, right?!

In the past, we have released our Travel Chargers and larger wattage portable devices that can charge all your Tech, from your laptop to your phone, to all of the power banks and headphones in-between. One exemplary device can replace a dozen chargers. Well, GaN Technology promises high efficiency and voltages to streamline this performance. It has low on-state resistance and fast-switching properties. Meaning, that its fast charging capabilities can be easily enabled, giving you the peace of mind and convenience of getting the power you need; when you need it.

Previously, the primary material used in the internal voltage chip production was silicon. But silicon allows a limited amount of thermal and electrical transfer. Hence, it is becoming difficult for chip manufacturers to use it in modern devices that produce more heat. Using gallium nitride (GaN), a semiconductor material used in the manufacturing of LEDs (think the blue laser used for Blue-ray players), means it's easier for energy to pass through it and enables it to sustain higher temperatures and higher voltages than silicon. GaN allows your devices to stay cool, not overheat, and maintain a fuller charge, ensuring less discharge on the battery over time… Meaning, less wasted energy and more money saved on that pesky electric bill. 

All this, and it's still 2.5 times faster than a standard 1A output!

Our premier GaN chargers will come in two sizes:

- A Dual 100W PD compatible switching model, suitable for new larger MacBook Pros and Gaming computers, while still including a USB-A port for your other accessories.

- A single small 100W travel charger for on the go power in your pocket when you need it.