The thunderbolt connector is a cable connector designed to give a cable plug-in to Macintosh computers. Macs may have other connectors, too, such as HDMI video connectors, USB connectors, audio jacks, and power connectors. The current thunderbolt connector can perform any of these connection functions, too. The standard has changed through the years, adding more speed and capabilities, and it has converged with the USB-C connector used by other computers and devices. The two standards are very nearly the same now, and for most purposes, USB and Thunderbolt connectors can be used interchangeably. They use the same physical connector.
