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Amazon is selling the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Cable, a 2-meter active cable, for $60.43, down 50% from its $119.99 list price. Razer states the cable maintains full 40Gbps bandwidth over its length, supports up to 8K display output, and allows up to 100W pass-through charging, while remaining compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4 and various USB-C standards.
Apple announced a new 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by its M6 chip, its first built on a 2nm process with a 12-core CPU, up from 10 cores in the M5. The laptop keeps the same $1,999 starting price with 16GB of memory and retains ports including three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, MagSafe 3, HDMI, and an SD card slot. Preorders begin October 28th, with shipping starting November 6th, a day before Apple is expected to unveil a separate touchscreen MacBook Pro.
Apple introduced a new 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by its M6 chip, available for pre-order starting October 28 at $1,999 with 16GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage. The company says the 12-core CPU and GPU bring faster performance and AI processing than the M5 model, along with upgraded Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity. This base model replaces the prior M5 version, while M5 Pro and M5 Max configurations remain on sale.
Apple announced via press release a new 14-inch MacBook Pro built around its M6 chip, keeping the same design, ports, camera and display as the M5 model. New additions include Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via the Apple N1 wireless chip, previously limited to Pro and Max configurations, plus a 12-core GPU Apple says delivers up to 30 percent faster graphics performance. Pricing starts at $1,999 for 16GB/1TB, with memory and storage upgrades costing more than before, and preorders begin October 28th.
Retrocomputing developer Yeo Kheng Meng has released xHCI98 v3.0.0.0, an experimental driver suite that adds support for USB 3.x, USB4, and Thunderbolt 3/4 host controllers to Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7. The project, built with AI assistance, replaces Windows' native USB drivers to enable hotplugging, storage, Ethernet, and audio devices on systems whose chipsets lack legacy EHCI controllers.
Developer Yeo Kheng Meng used AI to write a driver enabling generic USB 3.x, USB4, and Thunderbolt 3/4 host controllers to function on legacy Windows versions, including 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7. Meng has published details of the project on his personal blog.
Apple's latest Mac Mini refresh retains its familiar compact design, port layout, and the awkwardly placed rear power button, while introducing the new M6 chip built on a 2-nanometer process. The chip packs 46 billion transistors, roughly 35 percent denser than its predecessor, and the new model adds two extra CPU cores compared to the M4 version.
Reviews from Notebookcheck and PC Gamer found that external GPU enclosures connected via Thunderbolt suffer meaningful performance losses compared to desktop PCIe slots, ranging from 7 to 32 percent depending on resolution and card. PC Gamer found an RTX 4070 Ti ran about 25 percent slower over Thunderbolt than OCuLink, with worse stuttering and lower frame-rate consistency, and found that pairing an eGPU with a faster RTX 4090 yielded diminishing returns versus a full desktop connection.
Tom's Hardware tested Acer's Swift Air 14, a $699 laptop built around an Intel Wildcat Lake chip that prioritizes connectivity and endurance over flashy design. The all-aluminum body houses Thunderbolt 4 ports and delivered over 16 hours of battery life in testing, though the lid and keyboard show some flex and the screen isn't especially bright.
Lenovo debuted Project AeroBlade, a concept 14-inch laptop under 10mm thick and weighing less than 830g, built with a magnesium-aluminum chassis. The device uses a new solid-state cooling system called 'Active Flow' instead of fans, and it packs an Intel processor, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7 and an OLED screen. Lenovo has not shared pricing or release plans, as this remains a proof-of-concept design.
Acer unveiled the Vero 16, a laptop designed for easy repair with removable port covers, a detachable hinge, and a tool-free bottom latch, plus an internal component map etched on its case. The device features a MIL-STD-810H certified low-carbon aluminum chassis, user-replaceable battery and SSD, and support for processor upgrades across at least two generations. It launches early next year in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with pricing and a US release date still unannounced.
Acer introduced the Predator Atlas 7, a compact version of its Predator Atlas 8 handheld, featuring a 7-inch 120Hz FHD touchscreen, Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor with up to Arc B390 graphics, and configurations up to 24GB memory and 1TB storage. It ships with an 80Wh or 60Wh battery option, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 7, and bundled trial access to Xbox and PC Game Pass, launching in North America in Q4 2026 and EMEA from November.