Is a USB cable a USB cable?

[Tucom]

I need to (ever so slightly) extend the USB cable on my 20 Aluminum Apple Cinema Display for it to reach my Mac Pro, and I found this cable -

http://www.amazon.com/NEEWER®-White...428378951&sr=8-9&keywords=White+USB+extension

Is there any danger or potential for danger when using a "cheapo" cable? My main concern is that is it properly grounded? I'm guessing there's some kind of certification that if a product is sold in the US it must meet certain design and quality standards, so I imagine it's grounded?

Is there any risk in damaging the motherboard or USB ports on the Mac Pro if there's something wrong with the cable, or by using cheaper cables like this?

I imagine it is fine but I just thought I'd ask anyways; I'll invest in a higher quality cable if need be, but this one's all I need.

 

[flowrider]

My choice for cables has been Monoprice. Quality stuff at very reasonable prices.

For the type of cable you are looking at:

http://www.monoprice.com/Search/Index?keyword=usb+male+to+usb+female

Lou

 

[Tucom]

My choice for cables has been Monoprice. Quality stuff at very reasonable prices.

For the type of cable you are looking at:

http://www.monoprice.com/Search/Index?keyword=usb+male+to+usb+female

Lou

Thanks, I've used MonoPrice gear for years. I've probably given them over $200 easily. Number one choice for most things cables.

Questions still remains - is there any danger in ordering a lower price USB cable, or at least one that is obviously a no brand one? I believe the cable (one I linked) is the same one I bought at MicroCenter a year or two ago for about $10. Seemed to work fine.


I may just end up getting a name brand Cinema extension cable that has USB and Mini DP and use the Mini DP to DVI adapter I have.

 

[flowrider]

^^^^Maybe I should have been more clear in my suggestion. I have ordered a USB Cable from Amazon (once) and it was garbage. I ordered it because Monpprice was out of stock and I din't want to wait. I ended up recording the cable from Monoprice.

The answer to your question, is that's it's fine to use a low priced cable, if it's a quality piece, IMHO, Monoprice's cables are equal in quality to "name brand" cables.

Lou

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Thanks, I've used MonoPrice gear for years. I've probably given them over $200 easily. Number one choice for most things cables.

Questions still remains - is there any danger in ordering a lower price USB cable, or at least one that is obviously a no brand one? I believe the cable (one I linked) is the same one I bought at MicroCenter a year or two ago for about $10. Seemed to work fine.


I may just end up getting a name brand Cinema extension cable that has USB and Mini DP and use the Mini DP to DVI adapter I have.

it could short circuit

 

[Tucom]

it could short circuit

That's what I was thinking, but are there any links or claims that would support this? Or are you just speculating?

I still think that there's got to be some kind of certification program in the U.S that would prevent problematic cables - no matter how low cost - from being sold, no?

For peace of mind it'd probably be best I get a quality name brand cable in the end.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

That's what I was thinking, but are there any links or claims that would support this? Or are you just speculating?

I still think that there's got to be some kind of certification program in the U.S that would prevent problematic cables - no matter how low cost - from being sold, no?

For peace of mind it'd probably be best I get a quality name brand cable in the end.

I had an aftermarket iPod cable for a basestation short circuit and kill the iPod.

With that said i buy cables from monoprice all the time.

 

[crjackson2134]

As unlikely as it may sound, my wife bought a cheap cable from BigLots! She plugged it into her Sony Viao and it instantly popped and blew the motherboard.

Previous to this happening, I would have never even thought it possible.

 

[mikeboss]

low-cost cables also are eating up power. german IT magazine "c't" once tested USB charging cables and with the cheap ones it took considerably longer to charge a mobile phone!

@flowrider
agree, cheap≠crap

 

[flowrider]

One more time, and I'm outta here. There's low cost crap cables and low cost quality cables. Take a look at the specs on the cables Monoprice provides. They sell quality products with top tier specs. They do not sell crap cables.

I know of no one who has complained about a Monoprice cable or has damaged his equipment with one.

Lou

 

[Tucom]

Good to know! That's what I was concerned about - a short in a low quality cable. I'll def. be avoiding any in the future (and have in the past). Crazy how something as simple as an interconnect can be gotten so wrong.


I've use MonoPrice cables for years, as I've already mentioned. I've probably given more money to them than most. Some of their Mini DP cables have issues that I've read on Amazon, but yes, besides that, they're great.

 

[DPUser]

One can always test with a VOM before using...