OWC Debuts 40Gbps USB4 Cables Up to 15 Feet Long

[God of Biscuits]

That's neat! Since it's an optical cable, can't it package in a flat cable?

There's copper in there, too: you can't transmit power over light.

 

[justperry]

Still overpriced, costs a lot less €€€ on AliExpress, they work fine.

 

[ArodPonyboy]

The release presents a more affordable alternative to Apple's 3-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable, which is priced at $159. Like Apple's offering, the OWC cables feature a braided nylon covering for durability and flexibility.

I think the link is wrong; it links to https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MW5H3AM/A/thunderbolt-4-usbhttps://www.apple.com/shop/product/MW5H3AM/A/thunderbolt-4-usbwhen it shouldn't have that second link embedded in it

 

[burgman]

People here are complaining about the cost but fail to mention how crazy fast these things are. If you need 40 Gbps chances are that you have the money for them. And look how complicated they are. You are combining copper cable with optical which means you have to have optical to electrical signal conversion at each end.

If Thunderbolt 5 gets the kinks out in 2025, now that Apple offers it and Intel is close, not sure it's a good buy unless one needs it now.

 

[iBluetooth]

I would expect them to bring out a Thunderbolt 5 cable now. Why, aren't they doing that?

 

[drrich2]

Also mentioned in the article was the OWC Thunderbolt 5 hub. If I understand correctly, you're basically paying around $190 (over $200 with sales tax, likely) for a net gain of 2 Thunderbolt ports and 1 USB-A port.

How many of you foresee yourself buying one of these?

 

[drrich2]

I would expect them to bring out a Thunderbolt 5 cable now. Why, aren't they doing that?

They already have. Here's a link to OWC's page for Thunderbolt 5 cables. Roughly $20 0.3 meter, $28 0.8 meter and $35 1 meter.

 

[burgman]

I would expect them to bring out a Thunderbolt 5 cable now. Why, aren't they doing that?

Apple has one also https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC9C4AM/A/thunderbolt-5-usb‑c-pro-cable-1-m

 

[MikeDr206]

There's copper in there, too: you can't transmit power over light.

God enters the chat.

 

[MikeDr206]

Still overpriced, costs a lot less €€€ on AliExpress, they work fine.

15 feet? With full throughput?

 

[svish]

Though I don't need longer cables right now, good to see cables of longer length are now available for purchase.

 

[joecomo]

Great stuff - I once got a 15m optical Thunderbolt Cable from Corning (only data no power).
Which clearly was overkill as the 4.5 meter would have sufficed.