When Speed Numbers Lie: Why Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Demand Different Developer Choices

While both standards promise identical speeds, Thunderbolt 4's Intel certification guarantees critical features—32Gbps PCIe tunneling and dual 4K display support—that USB4 doesn't commit to, making these differences decisive for multi-monitor and eGPU workflows. Developers commonly discover this gap only after purchasing incompatible docking solutions, proving that technical clarity here directly impacts both setup reliability and cost when building professional development environments.