Thunderbolt cable.

[Liver]

Who makes the best (speed and reliable) thunderbolt 4 cable? Normal length, 3-6 feet max.

I believe TB4 is the latest version. Is that correct?

I spent over an hour trying to diagnose why my SSD back up drive was malfunctioning connected to my Mac Studio. It was the no name cable I was using. It went bad. It worked when I made the back up, and now it’s failed. I used the cable that came with my iPad, but the speed was poor (but it worked).

I looked on Apple and almost bought a cable, but I didn’t because of the price. If that’s the best, I’ll get it.

Edit. I’m looking on Amazon, but I do not need to buy there. I guess I’m asking specifically for monoprice or whatever.

 

[pendragon1]

if its with apple stuff, get an apple one, their shit is picky.

 

[Zepher]

I believe Apple makes one of the best TB cables, but they are soooo expensive.
I would buy a cable or two from Amazon and test them (read some reviews first) and keep the better one.
I have bought other cables from this brand in the past and have been pleased,
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cable+matters+tb4&crid=3C1P0S4TMS4K0&sprefix=cable+matters+tb4,aps,100

 

[Zepher]

I guess there is Thunderbolt 5 now?
https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...roduces-thunderbolt-5-standard.html#gs.f20fpu

 

[Liver]

if its with apple stuff, get an apple one, their shit is picky.

Gah. I only need one cable so I may do this.

I believe Apple makes one of the best TB cables, but they are soooo expensive.
I would buy a cable or two from Amazon and test them (read some reviews first) and keep the better one.
I have bought other cables from this brand in the past and have been pleased,
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cable+matters+tb4&crid=3C1P0S4TMS4K0&sprefix=cable+matters+tb4,aps,100

I’ll try this. It’s half the price.

 

[Zepher]

Gah. I only need one cable so I may do this.



I’ll try this. It’s half the price.

Ya, if it doesn't work out, get the Apple one.

 

[uOpt]

Get the Apple one.

There is a youtube video where they x-rayed and analyzed the $120 Apple cable and a cheap one. From a construction standpoint the Apple one was worth it.

 

[uOpt]

Get the Apple one.

There is a youtube video where they x-rayed and analyzed the $120 Apple cable and a cheap one. From a construction standpoint the Apple one was worth it.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD5aAd8Oy84&t=2s

 

[Liver]

Well. Im glad I asked. I really expected to get an answer that a cable is a cable, just get whatever is cheapest.

I went ahead and ordered the 6 foot apple cable for 139.74 after taxes. WOW. I expect it to work without issue, and that has to be worth something.

Thanks

 

[vegeta535]

I brought this cable and have not had any issues with it using it on the thunderbolt ports on both my laptop and desktop.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09ZPF5YLS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[Liver]

I’ll get that cable too. I could use both. Use the Apple cable for the drive.

 

[Jinto]

Nothing special about the Apple cable. For shorter runs passive TB cables work fine. For longer ones (6ft) best to use active ones. For even longer ones need optical.

That youtube video is comparing a passive vs an active cable. Of course its going to be 'much better' but its not because its Apple. You can find alternatives for cheaper. For 3m passive ones should work fine or better yet buy an LG TB cable that came with its monitors on Ebay. Those are like dirt cheap and are active cables.

 

[pendragon1]

he didnt ask for "should work fine", he asked for "best speed and reliability".

 

[Liver]

Nothing special about the Apple cable. For shorter runs passive TB cables work fine. For longer ones (6ft) best to use active ones. For even longer ones need optical.

That youtube video is comparing a passive vs an active cable. Of course its going to be 'much better' but its not because its Apple. You can find alternatives for cheaper. For 3m passive ones should work fine or better yet buy an LG TB cable that came with its monitors on Ebay. Those are like dirt cheap and are active cables.

I wondered why the LG cable with my monitor worked so well. Clears that up. Hey, I looked for some cheap LG TB cables on eBay and only found stuff that was $75+. Certainly cheaper than apple cables, but not dirt cheap. Maybe Im not looking in the correct search term.

he didnt ask for "should work fine", he asked for "best speed and reliability".

I did and I bought the official (and expensive) Apple cable. Thing works great. Thanks.

 

[Liver]

I am backing up my M4 iPad Pro to my M1 Studio with the official cable.

This is a much faster experience (and better) than I have experienced in the past.

Thank you for recommending that purchase the official cable.