Certified Reliability—The Plugable Active 2M (6.6ft) Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 cable is Thunderbolt certified to ensure 100W 20V/5A Power Delivery, 40Gbps data transfer speeds, and support for two 4K screens or one 8K screen
Compatibility—As a Certified Active Thunderbolt 4 cable built with an Intel chipset, it’s also fully compatible with Thunderbolt 3, USB4, USB C, USB 3.x/2.x/1.x. And at 2M long, that’s one heck of a versatile Thunderbolt cable
Display and Resolution Support—See the whole picture with support for dual 4K screens at 60Hz, or one 8K screen at 30Hz when paired with an appropriate hub or docking station. It’s worth noting M1 Macbooks only support a single external display
Certified, and Scrutinized—This cable was designed and built to Plugable’s highest standards and rigorously tested in a variety of environments and scenarios. It should work in just about any USB C port you can find
2-Year Coverage, Lifetime Support—Every Plugable product, including this USB transfer cable, is covered against defects for 2 years and comes with lifetime support. If you ever have questions, contact our North American-based team - even before purchase
The Plugable Active 2M (6.4ft) Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 cable is built with an Intel chipset to deliver a true Thunderbolt experience. Even at two massive meters, get 100W Power Delivery, 40Gbps data transfer speeds, and support for two 4K screens or one 8K screen with no loss in performance. And because it’s certified Thunderbolt 4, it can be used as a Thunderbolt 3 cable in your Thunderbolt 3 dock—and that’s true for USB-C and USB4, too.
Thunderbolt 4 and USB4
Thunderbolt 4 or USB4, which is it? Both. And a little more. This cable is Thunderbolt 4 certified, and that comes with some incredible benefits. USB-C, USB4, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4, it doesn’t matter, The Plugable Active 2M USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 cable will work. Even at a full 2 meters, you won't see a decrease in performance.
Capable Cables
Often overlooked, the cables connecting our computers to their peripherals have an important part to play. That’s why our TBT4-40G2M cables are Thunderbolt certified—it’s the only way to ensure you’re getting complete compatibility and reliability. That means data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, 100W 20V/5A Power Delivery, and backward compatibility with previous generations of Thunderbolt and USB.
33 Million Picture-Perfect Pixels
You have a powerful laptop. You have a high-definition monitor. Don’t sacrifice your resolution to cheap Thunderbolt cables. Plugable’s 2M Active Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 cables deliver 33 million picture-perfect pixels, either split between two 4K monitors @60Hz, or all on one 8K screen @30Hz.
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Yes, Thunderbolt 4 cables can support up to 240W of power allowing you to keep your devices charged, but some cables may not offer the full 240W capability and instead offer a maximum of 100W of Power Delivery.
While both cables are suitable replacements for Thunderbolt 3 docks, Thunderbolt 3 capable devices can be interconnected using a Thunderbolt 4 cable.
With backward compatibility being one of the design criteria Intel used, you'll have the same performance as with a Thunderbolt™ 3 device, so we recommend replacing your Thunderbolt 3 cables with a Thunderbolt 4 cable if a future-proof solution is desired.
Understanding your laptop's video output capabilities is essential when connecting to external displays. This guide will help you identify what video technologies your laptop supports and how to find the relevant information.
Common Video Output Technologies
Modern laptops commonly use one or more of the following technologies to transmit video to external monitors:
1. Thunderbolt 3
Supports video output using the DisplayPort protocol.
Capable of driving up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or one 5K display at 60Hz.
Uses a USB-C connector and features a lightning bolt symbol next to the port.
Note: An example of Thunderbolt 3 ports
2. Thunderbolt 4
Provides improved performance over Thunderbolt 3.
Supports up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or one 8K display.
Uses a USB-C connector with the same lightning bolt symbol but may also include the number "4" for identification.
Note: Thunderbolt 4 has the same physical connection and “lightning” bolt icon as Thunderbolt 3
3. USB-C DisplayPort "Alt Mode"
Allows video output directly through the USB-C port using DisplayPort technology.
Commonly supports one 4K display at 60Hz, but capabilities may vary.
Often marked with a DisplayPort ("DP") symbol, but this feature may also be specified in your system's documentation.
Note: An example of a USB-C port with DisplayPort capabilities
How to Identify Your Laptop's Video Capabilities
To determine what video technologies your laptop supports, follow these steps:
1. Check Your Laptop's User Manual:
Locate your laptop's user manual (often available online from the manufacturer's support site).
Search for keywords like "Thunderbolt," "DisplayPort Alt Mode," or "video output capabilities."
2. Visit the Manufacturer's Website:
Go to the support page for your laptop model and find the technical specifications section.
Look for details on Thunderbolt or USB-C video capabilities.
3. Inspect Your Laptop's Ports:
Check for identifying symbols next to USB-C ports:
Thunderbolt 3/4 ports may have a lightning bolt symbol.
DisplayPort Alt Mode may be marked with a "DP" icon.
“What if I do not have the above technologies?”: USB 3.0 (Type-A) and Display Expansion
While USB 3.0 (Type-A) ports do not support native video output, they can still be used to extend to two or more displays using software-based solutions like DisplayLink or Silicon Motion's InstantView. These technologies enable video through USB-A ports by utilizing dedicated drivers and software.
If your laptop lacks Thunderbolt or USB-C video capabilities, DisplayLink or InstantView may be a viable alternative for expanding your display setup. A few other things to consider:
Not all USB-C ports support video output. Checking your laptop's documentation is crucial to confirm this capability.
Thunderbolt ports are backward compatible with USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode but provide enhanced performance and flexibility.
If you have further questions about connecting your Plugable docking station or adapter to your laptop, please reach out to our support team for guidance.
