It’s nothing new that Apple likes to charge somewhat higher prices for in-house accessories. However, the price for a new cable might seem like usury to many. atechbook explains what the cable can do.
iPhone cases for over 50 euros, braided Apple Watch wristbands for 100 euros or Lightning charging cables for 25 euros. If you want accessories with the Apple logo, you’ll have to pay at least twice as much as the competition. However, you should not forget that Apple’s products are often of better quality. You might not notice a difference in Lightning charging cables, but the originals are clearly ahead in iPhone cases or Apple Watch bands. But what about the 179 euro Thunderbolt 4 cable?
Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable (3m) for 179 Euro
For 179 euros, you can almost get the 3rd generation of AirPods from Apple. Or a three meter long Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable. It can be used to connect a Mac or MacBook to a monitor.
The first question that probably immediately pops into your head: why is this cable so expensive? The answer: it offers the latest technology. It is also very long at three meters. However, the latter plays the smaller role. The Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable is already available in a length of 1.8 meters for 149 Euros.
An Apple cable has never been faster
Here’s an overview of the cable’s specifications:
- Data transfer up to 40 Gbit/s
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 data transfer up to 10 Gbps.
- DisplayPort video output (HBR3)
- Backwards compatible: Connect Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, or USB-C and USB-enabled devices and displays.
- Up to 100 W power transmission
- Connect up to six Thunderbolt 3 devices in series
Many might assume that the outstanding feature and at the same time the biggest price driver is the data transfer rate of 40 Gbit/s. But that is wrong. However, that is wrong. The predecessor, Thunderbolt 3, already achieved the same speeds. Thunderbolt 3 cables are available in 80 cm lengths for around 45 Euros.
However, Thunderbolt 4 is still more powerful, because 8K monitors can be connected instead of only 4K thanks to improved video data support. PCIe data speeds have also doubled to 32 Gbit/s. Important if you want to connect an external graphics card.
Also interesting: 10 cheap alternatives to expensive Apple accessories
Conclusion: High-end for too high a price
In the end, it is a cable that users of the latest Apple hardware will use in the professional sector. In relation to the purchase prices of Mac Pros and co., the price is thus quite plausible. However, if you look at the cable individually, it is simply too expensive. Comparable Thunderbolt 4 cables are available on Amazon for a third of the price.