Adding USB C 3.0 to 2011 iMac via Thunderbolt

[SR20DETDOG]

Hey everyone,
Been years since I was here last.

I've got a top of line (at the time ) 2011 iMac, with an unused thunderbolt port and 4 over used painfully slow USB 2.0 ports.

I actually still like my 6yr old iMac, so I'm wondering if there's a thunderbolt adapter out there that has a couple USB 3 ports for the original thunderbolt 1 with miniDP connector. Even better would be a couple of 3.0 type A ports and a type C.

Cheers
Doggy

 

[Anonymous Freak]

https://www.amazon.com/Kanex-Thunderbolt-eSATA-plus-Adapter/dp/B00LOLBBQQ

Cheapest device I've seen that turns a Thunderbolt 1/2 port in to a USB 3.0 port.

There are Thunderbolt docks that add USB 3.0, but all the ones I've seen use Type A / Gen 1, not the newer Type C / Gen 2.

You could use a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter, then connect that to a Thunderbolt 3 dock that has Type C ports. But I haven't seen any devices like the link at the beginning of my post that adds USB Type C.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

When you go to the Amazon page make sure you read the reviews and troubles folks have had with the 2011 iMac and this adapter.

 

[Fabsye]

https://www.amazon.com/Kanex-Thunderbolt-eSATA-plus-Adapter/dp/B00LOLBBQQ

Cheapest device I've seen that turns a Thunderbolt 1/2 port in to a USB 3.0 port.

There are Thunderbolt docks that add USB 3.0, but all the ones I've seen use Type A / Gen 1, not the newer Type C / Gen 2.

You could use a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter, then connect that to a Thunderbolt 3 dock that has Type C ports. But I haven't seen any devices like the link at the beginning of my post that adds USB Type C.

 

[Fabsye]

What do you mean? is eSata a USB 3 2gen?
How can you connect eSata to USB 3 or C?

 

[USB3foriMac]

Hey everyone,
Been years since I was here last.

I've got a top of line (at the time ) 2011 iMac, with an unused thunderbolt port and 4 over used painfully slow USB 2.0 ports.

I actually still like my 6yr old iMac, so I'm wondering if there's a thunderbolt adapter out there that has a couple USB 3 ports for the original thunderbolt 1 with miniDP connector. Even better would be a couple of 3.0 type A ports and a type C.

Cheers
Doggy

You may also look here:

USB 3.0 for iMac mid 2011

Hello folks, I have been following the thread about graphics card upgrade 2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade for some time, and someone mentioned that he has upgraded to USB3. So I started my own USB3 project, and succeeded, at a cost of around US$ 20, plus around 3 hours work. I replaced the...

forums.macrumors.com

Maybe this gives you some ideas or it's exactly what you are looking for.

 

[DeltaMac]

What do you mean? is eSata a USB 3 2gen?
How can you connect eSata to USB 3 or C?

If you actually look at that linked device, it will connect to a Thunderbolt 1 or 2 port, providing two connections - eSata, and USB 3.0 . That device has been listed on Amazon since 2014, so is older than the various Gen 2 designations.
Might be interesting to try it, maybe System Profiler actually reports that USB connection as "Up to 5Gb/sec".

note: thread started 3 years ago - OP has never returned. I suspect the OP has resolved this issue.
The adapter only gives a single USB 3 port, so not as capable as the mod in post #6, but then doesn't need the case modifications. Just plug in, and use it. (I wonder if it works in real life... )