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thatdarnfish

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 23, 2004
128
0
New York
I recently purchased a Mac mini and Apple Studio Display. I want to place the Mac mini vertical and on the floor, which will necessitate a longer cord. My question is, do I have to spend big $$$ on a Thunderbolt Pro cable from Apple (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MU883AM/A/thunderbolt-4-usb‑c-pro-cable-1-m) or will this 2m cord, also from Apple, suffice (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD861LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-cable-20-m)? FWIW, I will only be using the other ports on the back of the ASD for charging my iPhone and Apple Watch. Thanks!
 

PaulD-UK

macrumors 6502a
Oct 23, 2009
574
268
The 2nd link (MD861LL) is a Thunderbolt 2 cable for a 2015 iMac - no good at all for an ASD.
You need a TB3 or USB-C cable capable of up to an 8K video signal - the cable specs need to list that, like the first Apple cable you linked to lists:
"DisplayPort video output (HBR3)
Connect to Thunderbolt (USB-C) and USB devices and displays"

There are cheaper options than the Apple one but they have to have the same description (or they probably won't work).
"Thunderbolt4 cable features enough bandwidth to drive one 8K display."
 
Last edited:

tstafford

macrumors 6502a
Sep 13, 2022
974
891
I have three displays (2 ASD and the Dell 6K) attached to my Studio. The ASD cables are too short. I use this cable on them w/o any issues.

 
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