Until recently, the Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable that Apple started selling around the time the Mac Studio and Apple Studio Display were released was 1.8 meters long. And already at this length it caused some controversy due to its price, but now we have a new competitor: the three-meter Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable.
More distance, same price
Rest assured, the price has not increased: Apple sells it at 179 dollars while the price of 1.8 meters is 149 dollars. As we have already seen, the reasons for these prices are discovered when you take the cable apart and see all the engineering work that goes into it.
What at first glance can be understood as a simple connection port hides chips, covers made of high quality materials and a 19-strand coaxial cable to guarantee the maximum quality of the video signal. In addition, its exterior is braided (which avoids making knots in the cable) and the 24 pins of the Thunderbolt connection in the form of USB-C are gold-plated.
And why the greater distance of three meters? Well, because there are probably professionals who hook up multiple monitors to their Mac Pro or Mac Studio, and that might mean that more distance is needed between monitor and computer. It will also depend on the table, the location of the power outlets and how you can distribute everything on the work table.
Sure, there are cheaper Thunderbolt video cables out there, but if you want all the benefits of Apple Display Studio and are looking for the best quality, this is the best option. If you accept the price to pay, of course.
