Laptops

Best Thunderbolt 4 Laptops

Written by John

Thunderbolt 4 is the latest technology building upon the innovation of Thunderbolt 3 with the ability to transfer data, video output to display, and power devices using a single USB-C cable. Since there are minimum requirements that have to be guaranteed met, Thunderbolt 4 is the most comprehensive solution available from USB-C connectors.

A single Thunderbolt 4 port can replace up to 12 ports on your laptop. It supports dual 4K monitors or a single 6K 60Hz monitor. The Thunderbolt 4 port supports connection to various protocols including DisplayPort and PCI Express. It also has Intel VT-d based DMA protection. The better performance and reliability offered by Thunderbolt 4 give users a better overall experience.

You can connect external GPUs with Thunderbolt 4. All you need is an eGPU, an enclosure, and a laptop with Thunderbolt 4 that supports eGPUs. The setup is simple. However, the cost of an eGPU and enclosure can make you think twice before getting an external GPU for your laptop with Thunderbolt 4.

Thunderbolt 4 gives you a clutter-free desktop setup that can make you highly productive by replacing a lot of cables. If you’re looking for the best Thunderbolt 4 laptops for your needs, we have made sure to test all the best laptops with Thunderbolt 4 to give you our unbiased opinions.

Best Thunderbolt 4 laptops

1. MacBook Pro M1

MacBook Pro M1

CPU

Apple M1 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores

GPU

Apple M1 8-core GPU

RAM

8 GB

SSD

256 GB

SCREEN

13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone, 500 nits brightness, Wide color (P3)

Thunderbolt 4/ USB-C 4

Two Thunderbolt 4

PROS

CONS

- 16-core Neural Engine for machine learning

- Amazing performance with the M1 chip

- Great Battery Life

- Stunning Retina Display

- Slim and lightweight

- Touch Bar

- Same design as previous MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro M1 from Apple is a powerhouse laptop capable of sustained high performance for all kinds of intensive tasks. It is aimed at high-end users who need superior CPU and GPU performance. With the M1 chip, Apple aims to provide the best experience for its users as it can have tighter control over both the hardware and software components of its devices.

The latest MacBook Pro M1 has 8GB unified memory options. You can choose your preference but you have to remember that upgrades to memory are not possible in the future. This is due to the new architecture of the M1-powered MacBook Pro laptops. Since the RAM has been built-in along with other functioning parts in the System-on-a-Chip (SoC), upgrades to RAM are not possible.

The connectivity options include two Thunderbolt / USB4 ports. You can connect an external display and other devices with a Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C cable. The port also allows you to charge your MacBook with a USB-C cable. Use a USB-C or Lightning cable to charge your iPhone and iPad. You can increase the number of available Thunderbolt ports by getting a Thunderbolt 4 Hub. This will enable you to create a complete workstation setup that is convenient and highly effective.

The latest macOS Big Sur is designed to work seamlessly with the Apple M1 chip. You can experience the full performance and efficiency gains of the M1 chip with the Big Sur as you can take advantage of the advanced power management features that allow intelligent splitting of tasks between the performance and efficiency cores of the processor. Apple has taken convenience and performance up by many notches with the latest M1 chip. This makes MacBook Pro M1 the best Thunderbolt 4 laptop in 2021.

2. HP OMEN Laptop 15

HP OMEN Laptop 15

CPU

10th Gen Intel Core i5 2.5 GHz, up to 4.5 GHz, 8 MB L3 cache, 4 cores

GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (6 GB)

RAM

8 GB

SSD

512 GB

SCREEN

15.6" FHD display

Thunderbolt 4

One Thunderbolt 4

PROS

CONS

- Bright and vivid display

- Impressive gaming performance

- Solid battery life

- Keyboard with small keys

The HP OMEN Laptop 15 is a wonderful gaming laptop that comes with a beautiful full HD display and solid battery life. The design of the laptop is premium. The body of the laptop is mostly plastic but also has a little bit of metal. Being a gaming laptop, there are a lot of ports available. There is a Thunderbolt 4 port, a pair of USB-A ports, HDMI port, mini DisplayPort, Ethernet port, SD card reader, and headphone jack.

HP OMEN Laptop 15

The laptop has a vivid display with an average brightness of 311 nits. The display is more colorful than the average gaming laptop and the colors are incredibly vibrant. The performance is amazing when playing games and multitasking with multiple heavy applications. The laptop is a powerhouse and has great overall performance. HP OMEN Laptop 15 can tend to get hot under heavy workloads. The battery life is decent. However, the keyboard and speakers are a letdown. The bottom-mounted speakers are underwhelming even after making sound adjustments using the Omen Audio Control software. The keys are packed tighter together which can affect the typing speed of users.

This mid-tier gaming laptop is a great choice for users looking for a laptop that serves their gaming needs while still being excellent for use in an office setting. If you want a solid gaming laptop with good connectivity options without exceeding your budget, the HP Omen 15 will be an ideal choice for you.

3. HP Spectre x360 Convertible Laptop - 15t-eb100

HP Spectre x360 Convertible Laptop - 15t-eb100

CPU

Intel Core i7-1165G7 (up to 4.7 GHz, 12 MB L3 cache, 4 cores)

GPU

Intel Iris Xe Graphics

RAM

16 GB

SSD

256 GB

SCREEN

15.6" 4K UHD, IPS, 340 nits

Thunderbolt 4

One Thunderbolt 4

PROS

CONS

- Powerful 6-core Intel CPU and Nvidia graphics

- Beautiful Design

- Stunning AMOLED 4K/UHD touch display

- Comfortable keyboard

- Average battery life

- Blaring speakers at high volume

The HP Spectre 15t-eb100 touch x360 Convertible Laptop is a top-tier convertible laptop that impresses with its style, features, and capabilities. The stunning AMOLED 4K/UHD touch display makes everything look classy and luxurious. The display is super bright and colorful. There is an anti-glare treatment on the Corning Gorilla Glass display and the screen resists fingerprints due to touch. Aimed at intermediate and power users, the Hp Spectre 15t-eb100 touch comes with an Intel Core i7-10750H processor that clocks up to 5GHz on turbo. The 4GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti (Max-Q) graphics card is powerful for enjoying games in 1080p resolution.

HP Spectre x360 Convertible Laptop

The convertible laptop comes with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage. The connectivity options include two Thunderbolt 4 ports. This enables you to connect two 4K external displays to your laptop. This is highly useful if you want a complete workspace without having to deal with a lot of cables. If you need to connect more devices and need more Thunderbolt 4 ports, you can buy a Thunderbolt 4 Hub to expand the number of ports.

For a 2-in-1 convertible laptop, the HP Spectre 15t-eb100 touch is one of the elite options available if you’re looking for Thunderbolt 4 laptops. With AMOLED 4K/UHD display, powerful processor, and great performance, the laptop stands out as an ideal choice for users looking to set up a complete workstation.

4. MacBook Air M1

MacBook Air M1

CPU

Apple M1 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores

GPU

Apple M1 8-core GPU

RAM

8 GB

SSD

256 GB

SCREEN

13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone, 400 nits brightness, Wide color (P3)

Thunderbolt 4/ USB-C 4

Two Thunderbolt 4

PROS

CONS

- Amazing performance

- Beautiful Retina display

- Lightweight and slim

- Good battery life

- Same design as previous MacBook Air

The MacBook Air M1 from Apple is an ideal laptop for basic to intermediate users. The laptop can also meet the needs of power users. It has the M1 chip from Apple that gives it a significant boost in performance and efficiency when compared to many laptops with Intel and AMD chips. Since Apple has full control over the hardware and software components, it has been able to deliver a wonderful user experience.

The laptop has both 8GB and 16GB unified memory options. You have to note that memory upgrades are not possible due to the new architecture. The RAM is in-built along with other functioning parts in the SoC (System-on-a-Chip) and hence upgrades are not possible.

The MacBook Air M1 has two Thunderbolt / USB4 ports for connectivity. You can connect an external display and other devices with a Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C cable. The port also allows you to charge your MacBook with a USB-C cable. Use a USB-C or Lightning cable to charge your iPhone and iPad.

macOS Big Sur is designed from the ground up to work seamlessly with the Apple M1 chip. This means that you can take full advantage of the performance and efficiency benefits offered by the new chip. The advanced power management features allow you to split tasks intelligently between both the performance and efficiency cores of the processor.

5. Asus TUF Dash F15

Asus TUF Dash F15

CPU

11th Intel Core i7-11370H 3.3GHz  (up to 4.8 GHz, 12MB Cache, 4-Cores)

GPU

NVIDIA RTX 3060 6GB

RAM

16 GB

SSD

512 GB

SCREEN

15.6" Full HD (1920x1080) 144Hz

Thunderbolt 4

One Thunderbolt 4

PROS

CONS

- Thin and lightweight

- Strong performance

- Multiple ports

- Keyboard backlighting can be better

The Asus TUF Dash F15 is a gaming laptop from Asus that has a thin form factor and is easily portable when compared to heavy gaming laptops. Armed with Intel's new 11th-generation Tiger Lake-H35 processors, the laptop delivers a breathtakingly powerful experience. Although it is aimed at gamers, it is highly suitable for performing all kinds of intensive tasks.

The Asus TUF Dash F15 comes with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage. The 15-inch 1080p display with a 144Hz refresh rate makes it an enjoyable experience to use the laptop. It has a super-portable design and a great battery life that makes it one of the best gaming laptops. The TUF line of laptops from Asus is aimed at the budget audience who are looking for the best gaming laptop without compromising on specs and performance.

Asus TUF Dash F15 with Thunderbolt 4

There are many connectivity options available including USB-A ports, HDMI, Thunderbolt 4, Ethernet, and a dedicated charging port. You can add an additional display with the Thunderbolt 4 port. You can also add more Thunderbolt ports by using a Thunderbolt 4 Hub. The specifications and performance of the laptop make it one of the best Thunderbolt 4 laptops in 2021.

If you’re looking for a great gaming experience at an affordable price, you can pick the Asus TUF Dash F15. The performance and slim form factor along with multiple connectivity options make it a good choice of laptop for intermediate and high-end users.

6. Dell XPS 13 Laptop

Dell XPS 13 Laptop

CPU

11th Intel Core i5-1135G7 (8MB Cache, up to 4.2 GHz)

GPU

Intel Iris Xe Graphics

RAM

8 GB

SSD

256 GB

SCREEN

13.3-inch FHD InfinityEdge Touch Display (1920 x 1080)

Thunderbolt 4

Two Thunderbolt 4

PROS

CONS

- Sleek and beautiful design

- Compact chassis

- Long battery life

- Limited ports

The Dell XPS 13 laptop is an ultraportable laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance and efficiency. It comes with a 13.3-inch display and has a gorgeous chassis. With a beautiful style and amazing performance, Dell XPS 13 is definitely one of the fan-favorite laptops for 2021.

Even without 4K, the display is exceptional. The 16:10 aspect ratio is helpful when you’re scrolling through long documents and web pages. There is 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD storage on the laptop. While the connectivity options are limited, Dell XPS 13 still has two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support. There is also a headphone jack and a microSD card reader. You will definitely need a Thunderbolt 4 Hub to add more ports to connect an external monitor and add more devices.

The Dell XPS 13 is an ideal laptop if you’re looking for a beautifully designed laptop promising exceptional performance. As one of the best premium ultraportable laptops, the XPS 13 is a good alternative choice for the MacBook Air M1.

7. HP EliteBook x360 830 G8

HP EliteBook x360 830 G8

CPU

11th Intel Core i5-1135G7 2.4 (8MB Cache, up to 4.2 GHz)

GPU

Intel Iris Xe Graphics

RAM

8 GB

SSD

256 GB

SCREEN

13.3-inch FHD InfinityEdge Touch Display (1920 x 1080)

Thunderbolt 4

Two Thunderbolt 4

PROS

CONS

- Solid build quality

- 360° hinge with different setup options

- Good battery life

- Limited ports

HP EliteBook x360 830 G8 Notebook is a 2-in-1 multi-touch laptop from HP that has you covered for keeping you more productive throughout the day. The 360° hinge allows you to use the laptop in different setup modes. The laptop can handle demanding tasks and has 8GB of RAM for multitasking needs.

The 13.3-inch Full HD screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio has a refresh rate of 60Hz and brightness of 400 nits. The touch screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The multi-touch functionality and ability to use the laptop in different angles make the HP EliteBook x360 830 G8 an exciting option for travelers looking for a portable laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance.

The connectivity options include two Thunderbolt ports and two USB Type-A ports. The USB Type-A ports double up as charging ports. You can connect an external display and other devices with Thunderbolt 4 ports. You can also set up a Thunderbolt 4 Hub to add more ports to connect more devices.

HP EliteBook x360 830 G8 is one of the best Thunderbolt 4 laptops to consider if you’re looking for a highly portable touchscreen laptop that you can take anywhere and use in different setup modes.

8. Asus ROG Zephyrus S17 GX703 GX703HM-KF001R

Asus ROG Zephyrus S17 GX703

CPU

Intel® Core™ i7-11800H 2.3 GHz (24M Cache, up to 4.6 GHz, 8 Cores)

GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB

RAM

16GB

SSD

1TB

SCREEN

17.3-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) 120Hz

Thunderbolt 4

One Thunderbolt 4

PROS

CONS

- Powerful gaming experience

- Large 4K display

- Multi-wheel control system

Cell

The Asus ROG Zephyrus S17 GX703 GX703HM-KF001R is a gaming laptop that has incredible performance. The laptop has a rising keyboard that Asus claims lets you comfortably do your work and play games. There is a multi-wheel control system that is customizable and allows you to customize for things like increasing brightness and volume. The 8-core CPU can boost up to 4.6 GHz which allows you to do any task easily. There is 16GB of RAM (upgradable up to 48GB) to allow you to seamlessly switch between multiple tasks.

Asus ROG Zephyrus S17

A fingerprint scanner is present for added security and the large 17.3-inch 4K display with a 120 Hz refresh rate is truly stunning. There are a lot of connectivity options available including the Thunderbolt port, USB-A ports, DisplayPort, HDMI, LAN port, and SD card reader. The powerful graphics on the laptop makes it suitable for playing any game at high resolution and settings. The only drawback is the overheating and loud fan noise during heavy gaming and workloads.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus S17 GX703 GX703HM-KF001R is a good choice if you’re an ardent gamer looking for a laptop with a large 4K display, excellent performance, and great connectivity options. This is one of the best Thunderbolt 4 laptops for gaming and high-end usage.

While there aren’t many laptops with Thunderbolt 4 ports available, the ones that do are each unique and add a lot of value to users. By understanding your individual needs, you can choose the best Thunderbolt 4 laptop from our list of the best Thunderbolt 4 laptops for 2021.

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