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Any solution for Thunderbolt port shortage on MBP?

M

MacRumoren

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 20, 2010
72
1
Canada
Hi guys, need your feedback.

I would like to use an external Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt drive, but my 15" MacBookPro already has one thunderbolt port connected to an external Dell monitor and the other port connected to the Thunderbolt->Ethernet adapter.

Unfortunately the Lacie Rugged Drive only has one Thunderbolt port so I can't daisy-chain it to the Ethernet adapter. What solutions are available, preferably cost-effective too?

I checked out the USB Ethernet port solution, but asaik there is no Gbps version available yet.
 
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Freyqq said:
hdmi to dvi cable can get your dell monitor to work over hdmi up to 1920x1200.

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try to use one that is usb 3 instead for the full speed
Click to expand...

This. I paid about £10 for a Gigabit USB3 adapter from Amazon for use on my iMac. Works perfect. Uses the ASIXX chipset.
 
durkkin said:
Why not move the Dell monitor to the HDMI port?
Click to expand...
because the Dell 30" must use the TB/displayport to work, HDMI doesn't support 2560x1600 :(

durkkin said:
Also, there are several gigabit usb ethernet adapters out there. A Google search would have turned up many. Here's one that matches the typical Apple white, too: http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Hi-Speed-Gigabit-Ethernet/dp/B00BM7XY7Q/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_5
Click to expand...
Yes, but I already have 6 USB3.0 drives connected to the USB3.0, the USB ethernet adapters may steal too much bandwidth from my drives? :confused:
 
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I think you need to look at a storage box that has two TB ports so you can daisy chain. Otherwise there are TB docks like the $300 Belkin that you could perhaps make work, as it has Ethernet and USB built in:

1 Thunderbolt port to connect to Mac or Thunderbolt Display
1 Thunderbolt port to connect Thunderbolt devices (Daisy-chain up to 5 devices)
1 Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000 Mbps)
1 FireWire 800 port
1 3.5mm Headphone Output Jack
1 3.5mm Audio Input Jack
3 USB 3.0 ports (data transfer at 2.5Gbps max)
 
MacRumoren said:
because the Dell 30" must use the TB/displayport to work, HDMI doesn't support 2560x1600 :(


Yes, but I already have 6 USB3.0 drives connected to the USB3.0, the USB ethernet adapters may steal too much bandwidth from my drives? :confused:
Click to expand...

Each USB 3 can do about 250 MB/s. So, that can handle taxing about 2 HD and gigabit Ethernet at once. You probably don't tax more than 2 at a time. You could do 2 HD and gigabit Ethernet on one and 4 HD on the other.

Or, you can build a cheap NAS storage PC and connect that to gigabit Ethernet too.
 
Last edited:
Freyqq said:
Each USB 3 can do about 250 MB/s. So, that can handle taxing about 2 HD and gigabit Ethernet at once. You probably don't tax more than 2 at a time. You could do 2 HD and gigabit Ethernet on one and 4 HD on the other.
Click to expand...

Split the HDs into 2/4 configuration sounds like the best compromise for now, I only need to spend on a $20 USB ethernet dock. :eek:

I would love to get the TB dock, but it's simply too expensive!:eek:
 
ColdCase said:
I think you need to look at a storage box that has two TB ports so you can daisy chain. Otherwise there are TB docks like the $300 Belkin that you could perhaps make work, as it has Ethernet and USB built in:
Click to expand...

Speaking of the Belkin dock, why does it have such a bad rep? Slow USB3.0 speeds, random disconnections, and data corruption. It doesn't sound like a premium $300 device.
 
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