USB-C Cable differences

[mk313]

I'm hoping someone who understands this better than I do can help me understand what I am looking for.

I bought a portable USB-c monitor for my Mac & work laptops to use when traveling.

When I got it, I tried plugging in my Mac & Lenovo USB-C cables that came with the laptops, but neither of them would let the monitor turn on.

I then tried to the cable that came with the monitor (also USB-C) and it turns on the monitor, but if I plug it into my work laptop which is also plugged into an external monitor via HDMI, it turns off the HDMI monitor, so I only get one external (the portable).

Today, I remembered that I got another USB-C cable with my Lenovo dock. I tried using that cable & it allows the monitor to turn on, but also allows me to keep the HDMI monitor active at the same time. The only issue is that the cable is pretty short & I'd like to get a longer one.

The problem is that I don't know what I'm looking for. I don't see any labels or markings on any of the cables, or in the literature that came with the dock or the monitor, so I'm not sure what I should be looking for in a cable. I do know there are different types of USB-C cables & I'm hoping that it's obvious what one I would need to order from the description above, or that there is a way to identify the cable that came with the dock, so I can order a longer one of those,

Thanks in advance,

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Thunderbolt vs. USB-C: What's the Difference?

Thunderbolt ports look just like USB-C ports, but they're speedier, and the two have key inner differences. Here's how to tell them apart, plus crucial tips on which is better for charging, data transfer, and other uses.

www.pcmag.com

 

[mk313]

Thanks. I think that will help