Devices · 1h ago
USB4 2.0 and Thunderbolt 5 Push Copper Cables to Their Limits
USB4 Version 2 and Thunderbolt 5 are set to deliver up to 80 Gbps and 120 Gbps respectively, pushing copper cabling to its physical limits. These standards will reshape laptop, desktop, and peripheral connectivity by 2026. The transition may require shorter cables or active optical solutions for full performance.
Meridian48 take
The headline understates the engineering challenge: copper's bandwidth ceiling is near, and the industry may soon need to embrace optical or hybrid cabling for next-gen speeds.
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The future of USB connectivity (2026) — How USB4 Version 2 and Thunderbolt 5 are bringing copper to its physical limits →
Tom's Hardware
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