USB-C cables for new Mac Studio

[Gone To Lunch]

I am getting a MOTU M4 to go with my new Mac studio, but I balk at the £37.00 Apple one?

Are there any cheaper but still viable options?

[Dave Rowles]

I use Anker ones.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Charger- ... HJ1ZQ&th=1

No difference whatsoever.

[Guest]

As it is only USB2 speed any old usb c cable would do I would think.

Edit: Two posts at same time, I always go for Anker as well. Good products and amazing support.

[Luke W]

As above, if it's USB then there's less of an issue. If you're connecting Thunderbolt devices then you'll need to make sure the cable is specified for Thunderbolt (they usually have the logo on), although the connectors are the same a USB cable won't do the trick there.

[DGL.]

Got a nice silicon thickish one with a Microsoft Display Dock that are now cheap new and should give you display port and HDMI out plus something like 4 USB 3 ports and a 5V 3A USB-C charger https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184782136840
or my IKEA fabric coated ones that are only £5 have been fine https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/lillhult-u ... -50491543/

[Gone To Lunch]

As above, if it's USB then there's less of an issue. If you're connecting Thunderbolt devices then you'll need to make sure the cable is specified for Thunderbolt (they usually have the logo on), although the connectors are the same a USB cable won't do the trick there.

I wondered about this; my MOTU M4 only has USB-C, but the Mac has both Thunderbolt and USB-C?

[DGL.]

As above, if it's USB then there's less of an issue. If you're connecting Thunderbolt devices then you'll need to make sure the cable is specified for Thunderbolt (they usually have the logo on), although the connectors are the same a USB cable won't do the trick there.

I wondered about this; my MOTU M4 only has USB-C, but the Mac has both Thunderbolt and USB-C?

Both the USB-C and Thunderbolt connections should work for a USB device, on my laptop both the USB-C 3.0 and Thunderbolt 4? connections work with any USB device I've thrown at them.

[Gone To Lunch]

EDIT: I have just RTFM the MOTU M4 and it says:

If your computer has USB-C ports, use a USB-C to USB-C cable (rated for USB2), or a USB-C to USB-A adapter, (both sold separately).

So does this mean that the MOTU USB out is USB-A, and/or 'rated for USB2'?

[Luke W]

As above, if it's USB then there's less of an issue. If you're connecting Thunderbolt devices then you'll need to make sure the cable is specified for Thunderbolt (they usually have the logo on), although the connectors are the same a USB cable won't do the trick there.

I wondered about this; my MOTU M4 only has USB-C, but the Mac has both Thunderbolt and USB-C?

Both the USB-C and Thunderbolt connections should work for a USB device, on my laptop both the USB-C 3.0 and Thunderbolt 4? connections work with any USB device I've thrown at them.

Yes it's become a bit confusing now that the newer USB versions and Thunderbolt use the same connector. I find it helps to remember that USB-C is just the name of the connector itself, it doesn't dictate what's going through the cable.

But thats correct. Thunderbolt ports are compatible with USB devices, but Thunderbolt devices aren't compatible with USB ports, they need a Thunderbolt capable port. It just so happens that on most new compuers those two ports now look identical...

[DGL.]

As above, if it's USB then there's less of an issue. If you're connecting Thunderbolt devices then you'll need to make sure the cable is specified for Thunderbolt (they usually have the logo on), although the connectors are the same a USB cable won't do the trick there.

I wondered about this; my MOTU M4 only has USB-C, but the Mac has both Thunderbolt and USB-C?

Both the USB-C and Thunderbolt connections should work for a USB device, on my laptop both the USB-C 3.0 and Thunderbolt 4? connections work with any USB device I've thrown at them.

Yes it's become a bit confusing now that the newer USB versions and Thunderbolt use the same connector. I find it helps to remember that USB-C is just the name of the connector itself, it doesn't dictate what's going through the cable.

But thats correct. Thunderbolt ports are compatible with USB devices, but Thunderbolt devices aren't compatible with USB ports, they need a Thunderbolt capable port. It just so happens that on most new compuers those two ports now look identical...

Luckily on mine the two Thunderbolt ports are on one side (with a regular USB socket) and the USB 3 USB-C port is on the other. The Thunderbolt connections are also for the charger to confuse things even more, though it does mean a genuine replacment charger is easy to get hold of as other manufacturers use the same Delta Electronics unit.

[Dave Rowles]

EDIT: I have just RTFM the MOTU M4 and it says:

If your computer has USB-C ports, use a USB-C to USB-C cable (rated for USB2), or a USB-C to USB-A adapter, (both sold separately).

So does this mean that the MOTU USB out is USB-A, and/or 'rated for USB2'?

Basically USB-C is backwards compatible. So you can use an A-C or a B-C cable and both will provide the right connection and power. C is capable of higher bandwidth, so C-C is best for high bandwidth applications. This won't be a problem for the M4