About Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2.0 m)

Learn more about Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2.0 m) and find answers to frequently asked questions, including the proper usage of Thunderbolt cables.

Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2.0 m) is a two meter long cable that has a Thunderbolt connection on both ends and can be used for connecting Thunderbolt devices and peripherals to a Mac which has at least one Thunderbolt port.

1. What is the maximum bandwidth supported by Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2.0 m)?

2. What is the proper way to insert the Thunderbolt cable into my Thunderbolt-capable device or Mac?

3. How do I confirm a Thunderbolt-enabled device is connected to a Mac?

4. Can I use a Thunderbolt cable to connect a Promise, LaCie, or other third-party storage device that uses Thunderbolt?

5. Is there a maximum supported length for using Thunderbolt cables with Apple products?

6. Why is there a black screen when I use a Thunderbolt cable to connect to an Intel-based iMac that supports Target Display Mode?

7. What do I do if my Mac doesn't have a Thunderbolt option in System Profiler and no connected devices seem to be recognized?

8. I've installed all available updates, but no Thunderbolt devices are recognized when I connect them with a Thunderbolt cable.

9. Can I use a Thunderbolt cable with supported versions of Microsoft Windows on a Thunderbolt-capable Mac with Boot Camp?

What is the maximum bandwidth supported by Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2.0 m)?

Thunderbolt utilizes two separate 10Gbit/s links that are bidirectional, allowing each link to read and write up to 10Gbit/s simultaneously. Choose the Disk Activity tab in Activity Monitor to read current disk activity statistics, which may be helpful to determine disk activity with storage devices using Thunderbolt. Most storage devices have a maximum transfer rate lower than the bandwidth potential of Thunderbolt.

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What is the proper way to insert a Thunderbolt cable into my Thunderbolt-capable device or Mac?

You can plug either end of the cable into a device or Mac; the connectors on each end are the same. Line up the connector with the port, using the shape of each to indicate the proper orientation. Do not force the Thunderbolt cable into your Thunderbolt-capable device or Mac computer's Thunderbolt port.

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How do I confirm a Thunderbolt-enabled device is connected to a Mac?

Open System Profiler and examine the Thunderbolt section listed under Hardware for a list of any connected Thunderbolt devices.

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Can I use a Thunderbolt cable to connect a Promise, LaCie, or other third-party storage device that uses Thunderbolt?

Yes. You can use a Thunderbolt cable to connect any Thunderbolt-enabled device or Mac.

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Is there a maximum supported length for using Thunderbolt cables with Apple products?

Thunderbolt cables should not exceed three meters for maximum performance. The Apple Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2.0 m) is two meters in length. Some Thunderbolt devices include an extra port you can use to connect other Thunderbolt devices downstream with additional Thunderbolt cables.

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Why is there a black screen when I use a Thunderbolt cable to connect to an Intel-based iMac that supports Target Display Mode?

Although a Thunderbolt cable will fit into Mini DisplayPort connections, only Mini DisplayPort cables can be used in Target Display Mode with an iMac (Late 2009) or iMac (Mid 2010) connected to a Thunderbolt-enabled Mac; iMac models produced before 2011 do not support Thunderbolt cables or devices. If you have an iMac (Late 2009), make sure you have the 27-inch SMC iMac Firmware Update 1.0 installed to avoid issues waking from sleep in Target Display Mode.

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What do I do if my Mac doesn't have a Thunderbolt option in System Profiler and no connected devices seem to be recognized?

For Mac computers with Thunderbolt, run Software Update to install any available updates to use Thunderbolt devices with your Mac.

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I've installed all available updates, but no Thunderbolt devices are recognized when I connect them with Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2.0 m).

Try using a different a Thunderbolt cable. You can also try shutting down your device or computer, waiting a few seconds, then restarting it.

Note: If after applying the most recent updates to your computer Thunderbolt is not listed in System Profiler, inspect the Thunderbolt port on your Mac carefully to find the Thunderbolt icon (a lightning bolt shape). If the port has a mini DisplayPort icon (a rectangle shape) then your computer does not have Thunderbolt. Even though the Thunderbolt cable will fit in the mini DisplayPort socket, it cannot be used with your computer.

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Can I use Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2.0 m) with supported versions of Microsoft Windows on a Thunderbolt-capable Mac with Boot Camp?

Yes. More information is available in Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ).

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