Daisy Chains, Hubs, and DocksĬonnect multiple Thunderbolt™ devices together in a daisy chain. Compared to the variable speeds of USB4, this requirement ensures that connections are always delivering peak file transfer speeds to support productivity, gaming, and content creation. The Thunderbolt™ 4 standard requires a total bandwidth of 40 Gbps, which it dynamically allocates between data and video for all devices on a single connection.

Rich display options: Up to two 4K 60 Hz displays or one 8K 60 Hz display on a single connection 1.

Quick charging: Up to 100W of power for laptop charging and up to 15W for computer-powered accessories.

High bandwidth: 40 Gbps of bandwidth dynamically allocated for data and video, ideal for heavy workloads or fast file transfers.

For example, with a Thunderbolt™-enabled laptop, display, and cable, the laptop can pass a video signal to the monitor and the monitor can charge the laptop at the same time. Thunderbolt™ 4 ports and cables support the trifecta of power charging and data transfer with bidirectional movement and video display in one interface. Power, Data Transfer, and Video Display in One Productivity, content creation, and gaming applications can all benefit from Thunderbolt™ 4 technology with cleaner workspaces and more bandwidth to support more accessories. Tl dr: you cannot connect a thunderbolt 3 device to a mini displayport computer regardless of adapter.Thunderbolt™ 4 offers distinct advantages over USB-C with a more flexible and expansive set of capabilities. A thunderbolt device cannot be connected to a USB c port on a computer. Thunderbolt 3 and usb c have the same connector but are not the same signaling. A computer with a thunderbolt 1/2 port can connect to a device (like a monitor) with either a thunderbolt 1/2 connection or displayport, BUT a device with thunderbolt 1/2 must be connected to a computer with thunderbolt, not only mini displayport. Thunderbolt 1/2 and mini displayport use the same physical connector, but DIFFERENT signaling. Simply put, you cannot connect a device that uses thunderbolt to any port on a computer except thunderbolt, even if you find an adapter cable that physically fits the ports. This matters because to connect a thunderbolt 3 device such as an external drive, it must be connected to a thunderbolt 3 port (NOT USB C, more on that in a minute) or a thunderbolt /thunderbolt 2 port (via an adapter) on the computer.

Thunderbolt 3 is effectively a PCIe connection over a cable, which is 'lower level' than, say, usb or displayport. The answer to this question is NOT as simple as 'is there a cable that fits into the ports on laptop and external device?' You don't mention anywhere in your post why you need to adapt your laptop's mini displayport to thunderbolt 3, so I'll assume it's because you have a thunderbolt 3 external drive you're connecting to for the purposes of this explanation.

Mini display to thunderbolt adapter