Configuring USB 3?

Do you mean this part?

What happens if I plug in a USB 2 device into the USB 3 port first?
If you plug in a USB 2 hub first, all devices connected or "daisy-chained" to that hub will operate up to the maximum transfer rate of USB 2 speed (480 Mbps).

Click to expand...

If so, it only means, that USB 2.0 devices will work at USB 2.0 speeds. USB 3.0 devices will still be able to work at USB 3.0 speeds, as USB does not really allow daisy chaining like Firewire or Thunderbolt does, it only supports the use of hubs.

I'm pretty sure that phrase means that if you connect a USB 2.0 hub to a USB 3.0 port, you'll only get USB 2.0 speeds out of any devices connected to the hub, regardless of being USB 3.0 or not. Basically, the hub has to support USB 3.0 for any subsequent devices to connect at USB 3.0 speeds.

first in the line.

it's not going to disable your computer permanently, that's would be like them making the first site you visit in safari will be the only site you can visit.

Well, I discovered that even if you plug a USB 3 hub into a Mac's USB 3 port, USB 3 devices attached to this hub will still drop back to USB 2 speeds. At least with the current USB 3 driver in OS X.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1399179/

stuck with USB 2.0 forever??

Hi all. I'm wondering the same thing as ayres - will I only ever be able to achieve USB 2.0 speeds after using 2.0 devices with my 3.0 capable inputs on my MacBook Pro?

The previously mentioned apple support page seems to suggest that.

If that is the case, does anyone know if there is away to 'reconfigure' the ports so that I can use 3.0 devices to their full capacity?

They simply mean the first device in the port is the maximum speed you get for devices further down the chain.
e.g. using a USB 2 hub in the port, means any USB 3 devices plugged into that hub, will only work at USB 2 speed, as the USB 2 hub is the first device in that "configuration".

If you unplug it, and just insert the USB 3 device straight into the port (not using the USB 2 hub), then it will re-configure immediately to work at USB 3 speeds, as there are no USB 2 devices (e.g. USB 2 hub) between the port and the USB 3 device.

So plug in USB 2 and USB 3 devices interchangeably to your heart's content — just remember you get the speed of the slowest device on all devices if it's first in the port on the chain of devices you are using in that set-up.