Thunderbolt versus USB3.0 - 2.0 backup drives

USB speeds

Although the theoretical speed of USB3.0 and Thunderbolt interface should be 10 times faster than USB2.0, its practical speed is limited by the physical hard drive and only marginally better. Often, manufacturers advertise theoretical interface transfer speed. For example, Apple calls it I/O Performance and LaCie calls it Interface Transfer Rate.

Also manufacturers use different units of measurement. LaCie uses Mbits/s or MB/s (Mbits = 8 x MB/s). Apple uses Gbs. Gbs is the same as GBit/s = 8 x Gbyte/s, Gbs = 1000 Mbits/s.

PC versus Mac

USB3.0 is a PC standard. Mac desktop or notebook will work with USB3.0 drives in slower USB 2.0 mode. Additional USB3.0 adapter and software are required to use USB3.0 advantage on Mac.

USB and thunderbolt speeds MB/S and prices
PC and MacMac only
USB 2.0USB 3.0Thunderbolt
Single hard drive30130
Raid030160200
RRP Price per 1 TB of data$185$200$325

Thunderbolt vs USB 3.0 - 2.0 backup drives speed

11 April 12  Tags: backupMacComputers