iPad Pro 11" (2020) and USB-C cables for sync & charging...

[dbrewood]

Guys I'm in the UK and have the above due to arrive next week. From what I've read / seen online it comes with a USB-C charger and a 1m USB-C to USB-C lead.
I'll be looking to charge it on my desk which means I need a 2m cable to reach the power charger (will sit behind the desk) and a second cable to connect it to the Mac Mini (2018) for sync'ing etc.
So I'll need to buy 2 new USB-C to USB-C 3m cables.

I've been thinking on this and so far my thoughts on options are:

• Apple USB-C Charge Cable (2m) for £16.80, but I'm aware Apple cables can wear easily plus I dislike white cables.
• Fasgear USB C to Type C Cable (6') for £17.99. Has the bonus that it caters for 10Gb data transfer if I ever wanted to use it with a USB-C monitor.
• USB C to USB C Cable 2M,NIMASO USB Type C for £6.99. This is a LOT cheaper but does this mean the quality is off somewhat?

So folks, and ideas on which to go with or any other decent quality cables I could consider? Ideally I'd love both cables to be braided and one cable to be red (to indicate the charger), and the other blue (to indicate sync). I don't think the colour options are out there though.....

So any assistance / thoughts appreciated.

 

[sparksd]

Guys I'm in the UK and have the above due to arrive next week. From what I've read / seen online it comes with a USB-C charger and a 1m USB-C to USB-C lead.
I'll be looking to charge it on my desk which means I need a 2m cable to reach the power charger (will sit behind the desk) and a second cable to connect it to the Mac Mini (2018) for sync'ing etc.
So I'll need to buy 2 new USB-C to USB-C 3m cables.

I've been thinking on this and so far my thoughts on options are:

• Apple USB-C Charge Cable (2m) for £16.80, but I'm aware Apple cables can wear easily plus I dislike white cables.
• Fasgear USB C to Type C Cable (6') for £17.99. Has the bonus that it caters for 10Gb data transfer if I ever wanted to use it with a USB-C monitor.
• USB C to USB C Cable 2M,NIMASO USB Type C for £6.99. This is a LOT cheaper but does this mean the quality is off somewhat?

So folks, and ideas on which to go with or any other decent quality cables I could consider? Ideally I'd love both cables to be braided and one cable to be red (to indicate the charger), and the other blue (to indicate sync). I don't think the colour options are out there though.....

So any assistance / thoughts appreciated.

I'm using this with my 12.9 Pro -

uni 100W USB C to USB C Cable 10ft, USBC Fast Charging Cable PD 5A, Type C Charger Cable Nylon Braided, Compatible with MacBook Air/Pro M3, iPad Pro, Galaxy S24, iPhone 15/Pro/Plus/ProMax

USB-C to USB-C Cable (10ft/3m) - uni USB-C Charge Cable with Braided Nylon [5A] for MacBook Pro 2018/2017, iPad Pro/MacBook Air 2018, MacBook 12'', Galaxy S9/S8 Plus, Pixel 2, Nexus 6P and More

www.amazon.com

Great cable, braided but with no color options. 6 ft or 10 ft choice (I use 10).

 

[dbrewood]

Thanks for that, I guess in the UK it is this one, the only snag it that it is only available in a 3m (10 feet) length which is a bit too long for the connection to the Mini

 

[sparksd]

Thanks for that, I guess in the UK it is this one, the only snag it that it is only available in a 3m (10 feet) length which is a bit too long for the connection to the Mini

How about this -

Amazon Basics Double Braided Nylon USB-C to USB-C 2.0 Cable, 0.9 m, Dark Grey

Amazon Basics offers everyday items for your home, office, garden and more. With a selection that continues to grow, the Amazon Basics brand is set to become a part of your daily convenience for electronics products and lifestyle.

www.amazon.co.uk

I've got a number of Amazon Basics cables and they've always been good - and inexpensive.

 

[dbrewood]

Thanks I'll add it to the consideration list. Just found this one though:

NIMASO USB C to USB C Cable 2M, USB Type C 100W 20V/5A PD Fast Charging Date Cable with E-Mark Chip for iPhone 15,MacBook Air/Pro iPad Pro/Air/Mini 6,Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 7 Pro, Huawei Mate 60 Pro

NIMASO USB C to USB C Cable 2M, USB Type C 100W 20V/5A PD Fast Charging Date Cable with E-Mark Chip for iPhone 15,MacBook Air/Pro iPad Pro/Air/Mini 6,Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 7 Pro, Huawei Mate 60 Pro

www.amazon.co.uk

Which looks like it ticks all boxes including colour options Yes or no guys?

 

[nicho]

How about this -

Amazon Basics Double Braided Nylon USB-C to USB-C 2.0 Cable, 0.9 m, Dark Grey

Amazon Basics offers everyday items for your home, office, garden and more. With a selection that continues to grow, the Amazon Basics brand is set to become a part of your daily convenience for electronics products and lifestyle.

www.amazon.co.uk

I've got a number of Amazon Basics cables and they've always been good - and inexpensive.

"Up to 480 Mbps data transfer speed"

 

[sparksd]

Thanks I'll add it to the consideration list. Just found this one though:

NIMASO USB C to USB C Cable 2M, USB Type C 100W 20V/5A PD Fast Charging Date Cable with E-Mark Chip for iPhone 15,MacBook Air/Pro iPad Pro/Air/Mini 6,Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 7 Pro, Huawei Mate 60 Pro

NIMASO USB C to USB C Cable 2M, USB Type C 100W 20V/5A PD Fast Charging Date Cable with E-Mark Chip for iPhone 15,MacBook Air/Pro iPad Pro/Air/Mini 6,Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 7 Pro, Huawei Mate 60 Pro

www.amazon.co.uk

Which looks like it ticks all boxes including colour options Yes or no guys?

Looks good!

 

[nicho]

Thanks I'll add it to the consideration list. Just found this one though:

NIMASO USB C to USB C Cable 2M, USB Type C 100W 20V/5A PD Fast Charging Date Cable with E-Mark Chip for iPhone 15,MacBook Air/Pro iPad Pro/Air/Mini 6,Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 7 Pro, Huawei Mate 60 Pro

NIMASO USB C to USB C Cable 2M, USB Type C 100W 20V/5A PD Fast Charging Date Cable with E-Mark Chip for iPhone 15,MacBook Air/Pro iPad Pro/Air/Mini 6,Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 7 Pro, Huawei Mate 60 Pro

www.amazon.co.uk

Which looks like it ticks all boxes including colour options Yes or no guys?

The red one looks good for charging.

If you want to buy the other one for syncing, be aware it's USB 2 speeds only. How frustrating that is will depend on how much you're syncing.

Have you considered charging your ipad via your mac mini and just having one cable?

 

[dbrewood]

@nicho Drat, I'd missed that it was USB 2 only. A pity that as with that one I'd have had matching cables

I could go with sync'ing and charging with one cable and using it with the Mini, but some times I want to avoid data sync taking Place.

So from what we've seen what would you say is the best to use for syncing with the Mini? I only sync media once a week or so, but do a backup to the Mini daily.

Hmm this might do it...

NIMASO USB C to USB C 3.0 Cable (6.6ft/2m), 3A/ 60W 5Gbps USB Type C to Type C PD Fast Charger Compatible with MacBook Pro,iPad Pro 2021,Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G S20 /S21 Ultra,Google Pixel 4

NIMASO USB C to USB C 3.0 Cable (6.6ft/2m), 3A/ 60W 5Gbps USB Type C to Type C PD Fast Charger Compatible with MacBook Pro,iPad Pro 2021,Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G S20 /S21 Ultra,Google Pixel 4

www.amazon.co.uk

Then again this is high spec USB plus has the colour options:

Fasgear USB C to USB C Cable, 1 Pack USB 3.1 Type C Gen 2 Fast Charge Cable, 100W 20V/5A Power Delivery, 10Gbps Data Transfer, 4K@60Hz Video Output, Compatible for Type-C Device (6ft, Black)

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[0128672]

I looked at buying a 2m usb-c to usb-c for my 12.9 for non-desk use, but decided to just use an extension cord with the original charger instead. Cost $0. If I do get a 2m cable, I'll go with Amazon Basics. They've been reliable and resilient for USB-A cables.

 

[dbrewood]

Thanks for that, for various reasons an extension lead is not a good fit. Amazon basics, hmm I'm still not sure as I've had issues with some amazon basics kit in the past.

 

[0128672]

I can understand your hesitation about Amazon Basics. The other good option that's certified by Apple are Anker cables. I'm hesitant to buy any cable that's not braided though, especially Apple's, because of the wear and shredding. That also eliminates the non-braided Anker Powerline line for me. I don't mind replacing a cable once a year, but more frequently is not ok.

Here's an Anker Powerline 6' braided: https://www.anker.com/products/variant/anker-powerline--iii-usb-c-to-usb-c-6ft/A8863011. I didn't review the links above, so hopefully it's not repeat.

 

[dbrewood]

It's not a repeat, in the UK it's:

Anker USB C Cable, PowerLine+ III USB C to USB C (6ft) USB-IF Certified Cable, 60W Power Delivery PD Charging for Apple MacBook, iPad Pro 2020, iPad Air 4, Google Pixel 4a, and More Type-C Devices

Anker USB C Cable, PowerLine+ III USB C to USB C (6ft) USB-IF Certified Cable, 60W Power Delivery PD Charging for Apple MacBook, iPad Pro 2020, iPad Air 4, Google Pixel 4a, and More Type-C Devices

www.amazon.co.uk

Which is seriously expensive...... but as you say it does look to be certified..... but unless I'm missing something it is USB2 only?

 

[sparksd]

It's not a repeat, in the UK it's:

Anker USB C Cable, PowerLine+ III USB C to USB C (6ft) USB-IF Certified Cable, 60W Power Delivery PD Charging for Apple MacBook, iPad Pro 2020, iPad Air 4, Google Pixel 4a, and More Type-C Devices

Anker USB C Cable, PowerLine+ III USB C to USB C (6ft) USB-IF Certified Cable, 60W Power Delivery PD Charging for Apple MacBook, iPad Pro 2020, iPad Air 4, Google Pixel 4a, and More Type-C Devices

www.amazon.co.uk

Which is seriously expensive...... but as you say it does look to be certified..... but unless I'm missing something it is USB2 only?

Yeah, USB 2 only.

 

[dbrewood]

Which is a pity......

 

[sparksd]

Amazon Basics 3 foot Nylon USB Type C to USB Type C 3.1 Gen 1 Cable with Power Delivery (5 Gbps), Dark Grey

Amazon Basics 3 foot Nylon USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 Cable with Power Delivery (5 Gbps), Dark Grey

www.amazon.com

 

[dbrewood]

Yeah I know but the quality......... That braiding looks terrible...... and as I say I have had issues with 'Basics' before...

 

[0128672]

There's this 2m Mophie usb-c to usb-c cable that's certified and also in the Apple Store, but even on the Mophie/Zagg site under tech specs (or in the Apple Store), I can't find whether it's usb 2 or 3.1.

USB-C Cable with USB-C Connector

Fast-charge USB-C charging cable.

www.zagg.com

Let us know what you end up getting.

 

[dbrewood]

@Namara Found it, as you say specifications are not detailed enough, the lead time in the UK is over a month plus it's not listed as compatible with the 2nd Generation 1" iPad.

And I thought this was going to be easy!

 

[nicho]

@nicho Drat, I'd missed that it was USB 2 only. A pity that as with that one I'd have had matching cables

I could go with sync'ing and charging with one cable and using it with the Mini, but some times I want to avoid data sync taking Place.

So from what we've seen what would you say is the best to use for syncing with the Mini? I only sync media once a week or so, but do a backup to the Mini daily.

Hmm this might do it...

NIMASO USB C to USB C 3.0 Cable (6.6ft/2m), 3A/ 60W 5Gbps USB Type C to Type C PD Fast Charger Compatible with MacBook Pro,iPad Pro 2021,Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G S20 /S21 Ultra,Google Pixel 4

NIMASO USB C to USB C 3.0 Cable (6.6ft/2m), 3A/ 60W 5Gbps USB Type C to Type C PD Fast Charger Compatible with MacBook Pro,iPad Pro 2021,Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G S20 /S21 Ultra,Google Pixel 4

www.amazon.co.uk

Then again this is high spec USB plus has the colour options:

Fasgear USB C to USB C Cable, 1 Pack USB 3.1 Type C Gen 2 Fast Charge Cable, 100W 20V/5A Power Delivery, 10Gbps Data Transfer, 4K@60Hz Video Output, Compatible for Type-C Device (6ft, Black)

www.amazon.co.uk

It’s been a while since I synced iOS devices to my Mac but... i thought automatic syncing could be disabled, so you can plug it in but you need to go to iTunes (finder now) and begin the sync manually.

[edit: just want to throw it out there in case one suitable cable costs less than having two for specific purposes]

 

[dbrewood]

Sorry I should have been clearer on the last, I should have said t times I just want to charge without a sync taking place.

 

[nicho]

Sorry I should have been clearer on the last, I should have said t times I just want to charge without a sync taking place.

I got that - that was my point. It used to be perfectly possible to plug in an iOS device and charge it without syncing it. You just don't click the sync button.

 

[0128672]

And just to add to @nicho, you can backup to iCloud or your computer there too without syncing. As soon as your device is connected, you're charging regardless of using that utility.

 

[dbrewood]

@nicho & @Namara I'm with you guys, but if I want to charge quickly then surely it'd be way quicker to do it using the supplied power adaptor instead of the Mini?

If that is a viable method though I'm still stuck deciding which cable to go with

My short list is down to 2 cables though now:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-Cable-6-6ft-2m-Nintendo-Black-Grey/dp/B07MMPGGF9

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Y86RTSH

With the Fasgear I think having the edge?

 

[nicho]

@nicho & @Namara I'm with you guys, but if I want to charge quickly then surely it'd be way quicker to do it using the supplied power adaptor instead of the Mini?

If that is a viable method though I'm still stuck deciding which cable to go with

My short list is down to 2 cables though now:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-Cable-6-6ft-2m-Nintendo-Black-Grey/dp/B07MMPGGF9

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Y86RTSH

With the Fasgear I think having the edge?

It wouldn't necessarily be that much quicker. The USB-C port on the mac mini is capable of delivering up to 15W of power.

If you really wanted to charge the device quickly, you'd pick up a 30W charger instead.


The Fasgear one looks the better of the two but its specs are slight overkill for your use. You likely wouldn't notice a difference between either of them in use with an ipad pro.