Getting True USB4 Speed Is Still A Huge Headache
© PC WorldHow do I know if a fancy USB4 external drive is using full USB4 speed? If you see a box on the shelf, the answer is no.
As a standard, especially if you're looking for such fast file transfers, USB 4 is still a confusing mess of tech-speak that prompts manufacturers to simply label low-quality drives with the "USB4" label. With him. Gordon talked about this in a recent PCWorld YouTube video.
First of all, did you know there is a difference between USB 4 (no space, the copyright word is the USB Developer Forum specification) and USB 4.0 (view space)? Yes, and this applies to printed circuit boards and controllers, not bundled disk packs. In short, when a drive labeled "USB4" (like the ZikeDrive Z666 enclosure) conforms to earlier USB or Thunderbolt standards, it cannot ignore earlier components that are "compatible" with USB4.
But there are other elements that prevent you from reaching top speed, and you have little control over them. Bit drives aren't the only cheap hardware in USB controllers, and even expensive laptops or motherboards more than a generation or two old can't reach full USB 4 speeds (even if they're USB 4 certified).
We're not exactly talking about the huge speed difference we had on USB 1-2 days. The difference between a true USB 4 drive and one using Thunderbolt 3 is about 20-25 percent - not that much, but not the limit either. But if diversity is important to you, check out our in-depth review to make sure you can get the best speed for your external drive and your laptop, desktop or tablet. (This list of the best external drives and best gaming motherboards will help you find the best products quickly.)
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