Thunderbolt 4 is here, and if the hype is to be believed, this new connection will greatly improve the way users utilize their peripheral accessories and devices. But how much better is Thunderbolt 4 compared to its predecessor, Thunderbolt 3? Is it worth choosing a device with the new port?

We think so for three important reasons. Here are those three reasons, and why we ultimately think Thunderbolt 4 is worth the investment.

The first of the main advantages of Thunderbolt 4 is that, unlike Thunderbolt 3, it works with a docking station that has four Thunderbolt ports. With this many Thunderbolt ports, you can connect a large number of powerful and reliable peripherals, maximizing your productivity at work.

A second advantage of Thunderbolt 4 is the ability to connect dual 4K displays or a single 8K display, greatly increasing the flexibility of connecting a laptop to multiple monitors compared to Thunderbolt 3, which only allowed connection of a single 4K display. The ability to connect multiple 4K displays (or a single 8K display). The ability to use multiple 4K displays (or a single incredible 8K display) allows the user to see every detail of their work.

A third advantage of Thunderbolt 4 over its predecessor is its support for use with cables up to two meters in length; Thunderbolt 3 cables were only half that length and tended to be cumbersome when setting up workstations. This improvement means that peripherals can be connected without having to worry about the connection distance at all.

While it is true that Thunderbolt 4 is very new, there are already several laptops out there with it. Of these, the devices in the HP Intel Evo lineup are the best options. This includes the HP Envy x360 and the HP Spectre x360. Both laptops feature state-of-the-art 11th generation Intel processors, Intel Xe graphics, and large memory and storage capacities. Both also have great battery life and support for Wi-Fi 6.

The difference between the two lies mainly in the specs; the HP Envy x360 is the more budget-friendly mainstream of the two, offering great performance in a more affordable package. If you are looking for something that can crush basic productivity, this is the laptop for you.

The HP Spectre x360 is a more premium device for those seeking a heavier workload or a convertible laptop, with higher top specs than the Envy and options like 4K display and touch support. As a result, the price is higher, but if you can take advantage of the benefits, it is more than worth it.