Corning's Optical Thunderbolt 3 Cables Now Available in Lengths From 5 to 50 Meters

[MacRumors]

Back in March, we noted that optical Thunderbolt 3 cables were starting to become available some four years after the standard's debut. Availability of these high-end optical cables has taken another step forward recently, as Corning has begun shipping out its cables in lengths ranging from 5 meters to 50 meters.

Corning's 10-meter optical Thunderbolt 3 cable​

Compared to passive and active copper Thunderbolt 3 cables that support relatively short lengths most appropriate for a desktop setting, optical cables allow for much longer cable lengths needed by certain professional and corporate users. But for anyone who wants to be able to put their computer and/or accessories like external storage some distance away from their workspace, such as for heat, noise, or aesthetic reasons, these cables are certainly an option.

While optical Thunderbolt 3 cables allow for long cable runs, they do have some limitations compared to traditional copper cables, with one of the most significant being a lack of power capabilities. That means small accessories like external SSDs that need to draw bus power from the host devices they're attached to won't work with optical cables.

Optical Thunderbolt 3 cables also only support Thunderbolt 3 connections and can not fall back to USB modes running at slower speeds, so you won't be able to use one of these optical Thunderbolt 3 cables to directly connect USB-C devices that don't support Thunderbolt 3, for example.

They can, however, be used with Thunderbolt 3 docks that can in turn support a variety of other types of connections such as USB, displays, audio, and more, as the Thunderbolt controller in the dock handles converting everything to run over Thunderbolt. Daisy-chaining of multiple Thunderbolt 3 accessories is also supported with optical cables.

Connectors on optical Thunderbolt 3 cables are a little on the bulky side given the components needed to convert the electrical Thunderbolt 3 signal to an optical one and back. They are, however, only a bit larger than typical passive copper cable connectors and similar in size to active copper cable ones, so they shouldn't block adjacent ports. With only the fiber optic strands inside, the cable itself is also significantly thinner than most traditional USB and Thunderbolt cables.

Unsurprisingly, all of this optical technology comes at a cost that may put these cables out of reach for many consumers. The shortest Corning optical Thunderbolt 3 cable, the 5-meter version, is priced at $360 at vendors like B&H Photo. The price does not, however, rise significantly with cable length as the expensive parts are in the connectors, with 10-meter cables priced at $370, 15-meter cables at $390, 25-meter cables at $410, and, 50-meter cables at $480.

B&H is currently quoting special order status with availability in 7-14 business days for all but the 50-meter version, which is listed as in stock. Corning says significantly improved supplies will be available in just a couple of weeks.

Article Link: Corning's Optical Thunderbolt 3 Cables Now Available in Lengths From 5 to 50 Meters

 

[Internet Enzyme]

Really useful idea, actually. People will guffaw at the price—I did—but you know what it’s novel and genuinely a lifesaver to have for the captive pros who need it, so they’re able to price them to hell. I hope that this becomes more standard, because one of the worst aspects of thunderbolt is how its nearly impossible to actually connect anything at a normal USB-type distance. What use is an external device when it has to tethered within three feet of its host?

 

[Trik]

Black and Silver?! I hope Anker makes a gold version so I can spend $1,000 and show off my cable next to my cuff links...

 

[Gabebear]

You would need a VERY specific use case for these with USB4 40Gbps around the corner. USB4 is loosely based on Thunderbolt3(same tech, but different specs).

 

[roundski]

Why not just concentrate on USB4?

 

[JosephAW]

I was wondering if they were fiber. Nice!

 

[dubaimac]

They don't support 6k for the XDR display though, important caveat......
unless they are firmware upgradeable

 

[ageis]

I hope they're more reliable than the TB2 versions. I had 2 and they both burned out in under 1 year each.

 

[BornAgainMac]

But I would like to see a Wireless Thunderbolt between devices (palpatine style) but normal calm and quiet USB 4 for everything else.

 

[justperry]

I hope they're more reliable than the TB2 versions. I had 2 and they both burned out in under 1 year each.

The plug, must be, the cable itself can't, it's fiber.

 

[AngerDanger]

Finally, thanks to Corning's Gorilla Glass, you can drop thunderbolt cables whenever you want without worrying about them shattering.

 

[MRisberg]

I've been waiting years for these to come to market. It's so nice they're finally here!
Need to find out it's latency now.

 

[kyeblue]

thunderbolt 3 is annoyingly expensive and my experience with TB3 devices are very very disappointing.

 

[underattack]

40 GBit USB4 cables will be limited to 80cm. Sure, you will probably find longer once, but it will be questionable if they will work.

The price of these cables is "ok" considering the technology and the cost of getting it all packaged up. A cheap 40 GBit SPF transceiver runs about $50. You got 2 in this cable, plus the fiber (relatively cheap) and the cost of assembling it all. Probably costs $150 or so to make these cables? Add the small market for them, and the price is appropriate.

 

[CarlJ]

Finally, thanks to Corning's Gorilla Glass, you can drop thunderbolt cables whenever you want without worrying about them shattering.

Just don’t bend them too tightly.

 

[IIGS User]

Intriguing technology, but undoubtedly a niche product. Few users will see the need to spend $360 for a 5 meter cable.

 

[ageis]

The plug, must be, the cable itself can't, it's fiber.

Yes, usually its the transceiver end, built-in in this case. Transceiver overheating is common with bad designs.

 

[citysnaps]

Nice! People with requirements who really need them will gladly pay the price. Those who don't will have a good moan.

 

[Jupeman]

I had earlier Thunderbold cables from corning that were long and they died after one year of use. Of course, immediately after warranty. I am very wary of buying again, particularly because of the price point.

 

[jent]

Why not just concentrate on USB4?

Same question for Thunderbolt 4.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

The small price jumps aren't unusual with fiber. Even 15 years ago, the price of the fiber wasn't even close to the largest part of the price of installing fiber. It's the connectors (back then), installing and testing those connectors, and the transceivers that convert the electrical signal to/from light, which most of us know. It surprised our clients, how inexpensive the cable actually was. And once installed, clients liked the durability and resilience of the connections. We started running more fiber for clients, and they liked it. It just worked, all day, every day. You can't beat it, but it does have a high entrance cost.

This is good news for people. Eventually the cost will go down. Anyone remember fiber audio connections? Did anyone use them? I did a couple of times. Good stuff. I don't imagine many people did though. *shrug*

 

[Unity451]

The price does not, however, rise significantly with cable length as the expensive parts are in the connectors

That's a lot for a cable, but this at least this makes sense. Not like the old audio-only optical cables from the pre-hdmi era. Never understood how Monster could charge so much for some plastic tubing wrapped in rubber.

 

[justperry]

40 GBit USB4 cables will be limited to 80cm. Sure, you will probably find longer once, but it will be questionable if they will work.

The price of these cables is "ok" considering the technology and the cost of getting it all packaged up. A cheap 40 GBit SPF transceiver runs about $50. You got 2 in this cable, plus the fiber (relatively cheap) and the cost of assembling it all. Probably costs $150 or so to make these cables? Add the small market for them, and the price is appropriate.

Your prices are retail prices, for instance the 40 Gb transceiver can be bought for less than €40, cost of manufacturing is most likely less than €10
Pretty sure this cable won't cost more than about €50 to make.

They're all machine made.

I do think though that a high price is warranted, developing this product can't be cheap, and then there are licences.

That's a lot for a cable, but this at least this makes sense. Not like the old audio-only optical cables from the pre-hdmi era. Never understood how Monster could charge so much for some plastic tubing wrapped in rubber.

Because there are always fools who buy overpriced junk.

It can even be worse, look at corporate networks, they own all their gear like switches/routers/Acces points and have to pay an annual licence fee to run the software on each and every one of them separately, WTF.

 

[dukeblue219]

Just one application -- This is great if you're running a test in some kind of environmental chamber and need many Gbps a hundred feet away in a control room but can't co-locate a PC with your device being tested. Ethernet-based solutions have limitations, not the least of which is bandwidth, so this is intriguing to me. Really wish it could seamlessly support USB 3.x, though.

 

[kaycrystal626]

That's one expensive cable!