OWC’s new ultra-long Thunderbolt 5 cables may be taller than you
Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- PCWorld studies that OWC has launched the primary two-meter Thunderbolt 5 cable, measuring 6.56 toes in comparison with commonplace 3.2-foot variations.
- This prolonged cable addresses widespread desk setup limitations the place one-meter cables from Thunderbolt docks are too brief for optimum placement.
- The longer cable prices $79.99 versus $34.99 for OWC’s one-meter model, primarily benefiting Mac Mini and MacBook Professional customers since Thunderbolt 5 stays restricted on PCs.
OWC has introduced the primary two-meter Thunderbolt 5 cable upfront of CES 2026, providing extra comfort for Thunderbolt dock setups, in addition to desktops, which aren’t constrained by house.
Up to now, most docks ship with a one-meter Thunderbolt 5 cable included, which is barely adequate for a Thunderbolt dock in your desk. As I write this, my present dock sits moderately awkwardly to the correct of my laptop computer, with the cable stretched all the way in which behind it to the one Thunderbolt ports it incudes — which occur to be on its left-hand facet.
Sure, I may rearrange my desk to maneuver the dock, too, however the way in which it’s arrange, with an influence strip in a particular place, and a cellphone charger arrange simply so — nicely, you get the concept. I’d moderately have a barely longer cable to accommodate my present desk setup, moderately than rearrange my desk to slot in a dock in a sure method.
OWC’s new $79.99 two-meter cable stretches 6.56 toes, versus the three.2 toes a one-meter cable provides. Presumably, the cable is an “energetic” cable, which features a little bit of logic to amplify the sign versus a thinner (and cheaper) passive cable. By comparability, OWC’s one-meter cable prices $34.99.
Apple provides longer Thunderbolt cables as nicely, such because the two-meter Thunderbolt 3 cable it shipped for $129 5 years in the past, or the $159 three-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable it introduced three years in the past. It has but to announce an extended Thunderbolt 5 cable, nonetheless. In the meantime, PCs nonetheless have a tendency to make use of the HDMI port for productiveness, and DisplayPort for high-refresh-rate gaming connections. We do see some shows with devoted USB-C connections, although.
For now, nonetheless, Thunderbolt 5 is primarily a Mac-specific know-how. Whereas a small variety of PC gaming laptops embody Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, Thunderbolt 5 isn’t natively built-in into any of the PC processor platforms, together with Intel’s imminent Core Extremely Collection 3 “Panther Lake” chips. (Thunderbolt 5 might be added if a laptop computer maker purchases a discrete chip, and some gaming notebooks have accomplished so.) As an alternative, the Mac Mini with an M4 Professional in addition to the MacBook Professional with an M4 Professional or M4 Max chip combine Thunderbolt 5, making them the popular platforms.
Is an extended Thunderbolt 5 cable a necessity for PC customers? No. However it’s actually a welcome comfort.
