Apple’s 3M Thunderbolt Cable is a Good Deal at $159. Yes, Really.

Apple’s 3M Thunderbolt Cable is a Good Deal at $159. Yes, Really.

After Apple’s Peek Performance event this week winded down the company unveiled a new accessory: a 3M Thunderbolt 4 cable. At first blush it seems like a nothingburger served with a side of Apple gouging. Upon closer inspection though, there’s more to it than you might think.

The introduction of the new 3M cable for $159 came amidst the announcement of Apple’s new Mac Studio PC , which boasts six Thunderbolt 4 ports (four on the rear, two on the front). Although Thunderbolt 4 cables are easy to find, they typically come in lengths that top out at 2M (6.56 feet). That’s because according to Intel, which developed the spec with Apple, that length allows for “full speed” 40Gb/s data transfers. Theoretically, a longer cable might result in slower data transfer rates, which makes Apple’s extra-long cable a rarity. Despite its length, Apple’s website says the cable delivers transfer rates “up to 40Gb/s.” Apple also announced a shorter 1.8M cable, which is actually ridiculously priced at $129.

Apple’s 3M Thunderbolt Cable is a Good Deal at $159. Yes, Really.

As The Verge noted, cables 2M and under are commonplace, and relatively affordable. For example a 2.62 foot (0.8M) TB4 cable that is generic-yet-certified costs just $30. The same generic cable in 2M length costs a bit more though, coming in at $75 on Amazon. A 2M cable from a known brand such as Belkin is similarly priced, at $70. That makes its 1.8M cable a very tough sell. But the 3M cable? If you need to place a device 10 feet away from its source, it’s likely your only option. As far as how Apple was able to achieve this feet of cable mastery while others haven’t, we’re not really sure. It’s possible most people are satisfied with 6.56 feet of cable, which should be enough for most use cases. It’s also likely that since Intel and Apple specify the appropriate length as 2M, that’s what they’re sticking to.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Apple product launch if there wasn’t some type of outrageous add-on pricing. For example, it unveiled a new 27″ Studio Display that only offers tilt adjustment. If you want to adjust the height of the panel though, Apple will sell you a height-adjusting stand for $400 extra. This type of “upgrade” is reminiscent of the company’s infamous $999 monitor stand. The $1,599 Studio Display also does not include Apple’s $19 polishing cloth. On a similar note, if you want to upgrade the Mac Studio desktop to its maximum of 8TB of SSD storage, it’ll set you back $2,200.

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The Iconic Arecibo Observatory Will Be Demolished Following Cable Failures
The Iconic Arecibo Observatory Will Be Demolished Following Cable Failures

The Arecibo dish was damaged following a series of cable failures, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) has decided it would be too dangerous to repair.

Famed Arecibo Observatory Collapses Following Cable Failures
Famed Arecibo Observatory Collapses Following Cable Failures

The National Science Foundation (NSF) previously expressed concern this could happen, which is why it decided last month the dish would be demolished rather than repaired. Gravity took care of that a bit quicker than expected as the 900-ton suspended platform plummeted into the dish overnight, completely destroying the iconic instrument.

USB-IF Rolls Out Logos for new 240W USB-C Cables
USB-IF Rolls Out Logos for new 240W USB-C Cables

Just because you see the distinctive oval-shaped USB-C plug on a device does not mean it automatically supports high-speed data or fast charging. The non-profit USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has sought to address that with optional logos, and there are more of them today that might help you identify the latest USB cables. Emphasis on "might."