Certified Reliability—
Thunderbolt Certified to ensure maximum functionality in professional environments, the Plugable 1M (3.3ft) Thunderbolt cable delivers up to 240W (48V/5A) power, 40Gbps data transfer speeds, and supports two 4K displays or one 8K display—ideal for high-performance workstations, creative suites, and enterprise IT setups.
Maximum Power—
Engineered with Extended Power Range (EPR) for up to 240W (48V/5A), this cable exceeds previous 100W USB Power Delivery (PD) limits to support demanding laptops, docks, and peripherals used across business operations. Reliable for charging and powering USB-C devices in any corporate or production environment.
Display and Resolution Support—
Enable efficient multitasking and crisp visual workflows. The Thunderbolt 4 USB-C cable supports dual extended 4K screens at 60Hz or a single 8K display at 30Hz when paired with compatible docks or hubs; perfect for content creators, engineers, and data analysts.
Universal compatibility—
3 ft USB C cable works with USB-C enabled devices including laptops, tablets, smartphones, docking stations, and external storage. Supports DP1.4 Alt Mode for up to 8K video. Perfect for a streamlined tech ecosystem. Actual performance determined by host device
2-Year Coverage, Lifetime Support—
Every Plugable product, including this 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 Thunderbolt 4 EPR cable is built to deliver a true Thunderbolt experience.
Incredibly fast 40Gbps data transfer speeds and support for two 4K screens or one 8K screen is just the start. With Extended Power Range (EPR), this cable is built with the future in mind and can deliver up to 240W. And because it’s Thunderbolt Certified, it can be used as a Thunderbolt 3 cable in your Thunderbolt 3 dock—and that’s true for USB-C and USB4, too.
240W Extended Power Range
When we say this cord offers Extended Power Range (EPR), we mean it can carry up to 240W, unlike previous generations of cables that max out at 100W.
For many, this will be considered a fast charging option. And that’s no surprise, because with 240W, you can power just about any laptop on the market, and those to come.
As more devices begin to integrate EPR functionality, you’ll find this cable has you future-proofed.
Thunderbolt Certified
Often overlooked, the cables connecting our computers to their peripherals have an important part to play. That’s why our Thunderbolt 4 EPR cables are Thunderbolt Certified, it’s the only official way to ensure you’re getting complete compatibility and reliability. That means this cable with speeds up to 40Gbps, 240W 48V/5A EPR, is backward compatible with previous generations of Thunderbolt and USB.
Future-Proof with Thunderbolt 4
Thunderbolt 4, USB4, or USBC to USBC cable, what is it? All of the above. And a little more.
This cable is Thunderbolt 4 certified, and that comes with some incredible benefits. Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, or USB-C, it doesn’t matter, the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 EPR cable will work. Even at a full meter (3.3ft), you won't see a decrease in performance.
It should be noted that actual performance is determined by the capabilities of the host and peripheral(s).
Compatible with Thunderbolt 4, USB4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C hosts (Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS) as well as Thunderbolt 4, USB4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C docks, hubs, storage devices, monitors, tablets, phones and eGPUs.
Get Started
Connect one end of the USB-C cable to the host device.
Connect the other end of the USB-C cable to the other desired device.
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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 the TBT4-240W-1M and USB4-240W-1M are essentially identical in terms of specifications, the TBT4-240W-1M has passed Intel's notoriously rigorous Thunderbolt™ Certification, which makes it officially Thunderbolt™ Certified.
The USB4-240W-1M is USB-IF Certified, which is another set of high standards to ensure functionality and interoperability. While it is not officially Thunderbolt™ Certified, it is still fully compatible with Thunderbolt™ devices. The TBT4-240W-1M is also USB-IF Certified.
In either case, you can be confident that our cables will be compatible with your Thunderbolt™ and USB4 devices!
The new USB Power Delivery specifications allow for the delivery of up to 240W via a USB Type-C cable (an increase from the previous 100W max). The previous Power Delivery range has been relabeled as Standard Power Range (SPR), and the new specifications (between 100W and 240W), have been labeled as Extended Power Range (EPR).
Yes! Our 240W cables can transfer up to 240 watts of power, which means that it can also transfer lower wattages such as 45W, 60W, 85W, 100W, 140W, and anything in between.
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. Thunderbolt 5 (As of 2024)
Up to 80 Gbps bi-directional bandwidth (Double that of Thunderbolt 4’s 40 Gbps).
Up to 120 Gbps bandwidth for displays (With Bandwidth Boost — 120 Gbps upstream and 40 Gbps downstream for display-intensive use cases).
Support for dual 6K or 8K displays (Compared to Thunderbolt 4’s dual 4K support).
4. 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.
Many users assume that USB-C devices can work with older Thunderbolt 2 Macs if they use a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, such as the one made by Apple. However, this is not the case. These adapters are specifically designed to support Thunderbolt devices only -not standard USB-C peripherals.
While Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C share the same connector type, they use different underlying data protocols. Non-Thunderbolt USB-C devices, rely on USB standards for data and power. The Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter does not carry USB signals; it only passes Thunderbolt data. Because of this, plugging a USB-C device into a Thunderbolt 2 Mac using this adapter will not work - the computer will not detect or communicate with the device.
If you need to connect peripherals to a Thunderbolt 2 system, we recommend using a USB-A dock or hub (if available on your system). This ensures compatibility without relying on unsupported adapter chains.
In short, even though the connectors may fit, USB-C devices are not compatible with Thunderbolt 2 Macs via Thunderbolt adapters - only Thunderbolt devices will work in that setup.
All Thunderbolt docking stations include the appropriate Thunderbolt cable in order to connect the docking station to the host computer. As of this writing, all Plugable Thunderbolt host cables that are included with Plugable Thunderbolt docking stations are 1.0 meter (approximately 3.3) feet in overall length.
For reference, the specifications of all Plugable Thunderbolt cables are printed on a small white cable flag attached to the cable itself.
If the original 1.0 meter long Thunderbolt host cable is not sufficient for a specific use case, longer cables of up to 2.0 meters (approximately 6.6 feet) in overall length can be purchased separately from Plugable. An example of such a cable is the Plugable TBT4-40G2M cable
Plugable does NOT support using Thunderbolt host connection cables that are over 2.0 meters in overall length with any Plugable brand product.
Plugable does NOT support the use of any type of Thunderbolt extension cable or any type of signal repeater in conjunction with our products.
Please note, Plugable can only guarantee the performance and compatibility of Plugable brand cables.
All Plugable USB-C docking stations include the appropriate USB-C cable in order to connect the docking station to the host computer. As of this writing, all Plugable USB-C host cables that are included with Plugable USB-C docking stations are 1.0 meter (approximately 3.3) feet in overall length.
For reference, the specifications of all Plugable brand USB-C cables are printed on a small white cable flag attached to the cable itself.
If the original 1.0 meter long USB-C host cable is not sufficient for a specific use case, longer cables of up to 2.0 meters (approximately 6.6 feet) in overall length can be purchased separately from a 3rd-party.
We recommend purchasing a cable that matches or exceeds the specifications of the original Plugable cable and purchasing said cable from both a well known and reliable brand.
Plugable does offer a 1.0 meter long USB-C extension cable (USBC-METER3-1MF) that can be used in conjunction with our USB-C docking stations. This extension cable can be combined with the original 1.0 meter long Plugable USB-C cable included in the box with the docking station to extend the overall cable length to 2.0 meters.
Plugable does NOT support using USB-C host connection cables that are over 2.0 meters in overall length with any Plugable brand product. Additionally, Plugable does NOT support the use of any type of 3rd-party USB-C extension cable or signal repeater in conjunction with our products.
For most modern Windows and Mac systems, Thunderbolt devices are automatically approved and will ‘just work’ once connected.
The main exception is Apple Mac laptops with Apple CPUs running macOS Ventura (13) or newer, where you’ll be prompted to manually approve the device the first time you connect it.
The summary table below provides the specific details at a glance, and the text that follows explains the table in more detail.
To expand further, Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 are in essence external connections to the host computer’s internal PCI Express bus. This type of low-level and high speed connection warranted security protocols to prevent unauthorized access to user data.
Windows: From Intel Software to Native OS Support
When Thunderbolt 3 Windows systems were first introduced in late 2015 it was necessary to use Intel Thunderbolt software to manually authenticate and approve external Thunderbolt devices.
With the introduction of Thunderbolt 4 Windows systems in 2020, it was still necessary to have Intel Thunderbolt software installed on the host computer. However, in most cases the authentication and approval process would happen automatically greatly simplifying the process.
Starting with Windows 11 version 21H2 released in October of 2021, Microsoft integrated support for both USB4 and Thunderbolt into the Windows operating system → LINK
This means that with most modern Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 computers running the latest version of Windows 11 it is no longer necessary to install Intel Thunderbolt software on the host computer in order to manage Thunderbolt devices. In most cases, the authentication and approval process will still happen automatically.
macOS: From Intel CPUs to Apple CPUs
When Thunderbolt 3 Mac systems with Intel CPUs were first introduced in 2016, the authentication and approval mechanism was built-in to macOS and was transparent to the end user.
Apple introduced Mac computers based on Apple CPUs in 2020. Macs based on Apple CPUs running macoS 11 Big Sur or macOS 12 Monterey would automatically approve and authenticate Thunderbolt devices when connected.
macOS 13 Ventura was released in 2022 and for portable Macs with Apple CPUs Apple introduced a feature known as ‘Accessory Security’ (also known as ‘Restricted Mode’) → LINK
By default, portable Macs (i.e. laptops) with an Apple CPU running macOS 13 Ventura or newer version of macOS will require the end user to authenticate and approve a Thunderbolt device when initially connected.
Stationary Macs (i.e. desktops) with an Apple CPU running macOS 13 Ventura or newer version of macOS do NOT implement the ‘Accessory Security’ feature. As a result, Thunderbolt devices will be automatically approved and authenticated when initially connected.
Apple Macs with Intel CPUs (both laptop and desktops) running macOS 13 Ventura or newer do NOT implement the ‘Accessory Security’ feature. As a result, Thunderbolt devices will be automatically approved and authenticated when initially connected.
When connecting a laptop/dock to a monitor, the right direction matters. Many “converter” cables only work one way. If the cable’s intended direction doesn’t match your source (video output) and display (video input), you’ll get no signal. Even if the connectors fit.
Key terms
Source (Output): Laptop, dock, GPU port sending video
Display (Input): Monitor/TV/projector receiving video
Uni-directional: Works only one way (e.g., DP to HDMI)
Bi-directional: Works both ways (common with HDMI to/from DVI, DP to/from mDP)
Active adapter: Has electronics to convert formats/directions (e.g., HDMI to DP)
Passive adapter/cable: No electronics; relies on source capabilities (e.g., DP++ to HDMI)
What typically works and what doesn’t
Scenario
Directionality
Requirement
Notes
DisplayPort (DP) source to HDMI display
Often uni-directional (DP to HDMI)
Passive may work with DP++; otherwise use an active DP to HDMI
Many docks/GPUs support DP++, but some do not so please check specification
HDMI source to DisplayPort display
Uni-directional (HDMI to DP)
Active HDMI to DP adapter
A DP to HDMI cable won’t work in reverse.
USB-C (DP Alt Mode) source to HDMI/DP display
Uni-directional
Alt-Mode USB-C to video cable/adapter
Not reversible (you can’t feed HDMI into USB-C).
Thunderbolt 3/4 source to HDMI/DP display
Uni-directional
TB/USB-C video adapter
Behaves like USB-C Alt Mode for displays.
HDMI to/from DVI
Bi-directional (passive)
Simple adapter/cable
Same TMDS signaling.
DP to/from Mini-DP
Bi-directional (passive)
Simple cable
Same protocol.
Digital to/from VGA (analog)
Direction varies
Active converter
Digital/analog conversion required.
Rule of thumb: For DP to/from HDMI, assume DP to HDMI unless the product explicitly says HDMI to DP (Active).
Docking stations: quick notes
USB-C/Thunderbolt docks output standard HDMI/DP signals (direction rules above still apply)
DisplayLink-based docks still output HDMI/DP at the port (same direction rules)
DP MST/daisy-chain works only in DP domain; converting to HDMI at the first hop ends DP-specific features downstream
Features like HDR, HDCP, and VRR may require active adapters and sufficient bandwidth
For long runs or flaky links, prefer active solutions
Shopping checklist (esp. on Amazon)
Check the pictures: Listings often show Source to Display with icons/arrows (match this to your setup)
Read the title/bullets: Look for explicit direction (“DP to HDMI,” “HDMI to DP (Active)”)
Scan specs: “Active” vs. “Passive,” DP++, supported resolutions, and any power needs
Quick examples
Dock (DP out) to Monitor (HDMI in): DPtoHDMI cable/adapter; use active if DP++ isn’t supported or for higher reliability
Laptop (HDMI out) to Monitor (DP in): Active HDMItoDP adapter required
USB-C laptop (Alt Mode) to HDMI monitor: USB-CtoHDMI cable/adapter; not reversible
FAQs
Why doesn’t my “DP to HDMI” cable work from an HDMI laptop to a DP monitor? It’s uni-directional (DP to HDMI). Your path is the reverse and needs an active HDMI to DP adapter.
Are “bi-directional” cables truly both ways? Commonly for HDMI to/from DVI and DP to/from mDP. For DP to/from HDMI, true bi-directional products are uncommon—verify the exact directions in the listing images/text.
