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Best external Thunderbolt HDD for 2011 iMac

B

beaupatrice

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 20, 2016
10
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Hi all,

I just added a new 1TB SSD in my mid 2011 27 inches iMac and pleasantly surprised by the performance boost.

I am now looking for a thunderbolt one or two external HDD as my iMac doesn't have USB 3 ports.

I will appreciate any good suggestions for external storage.

I am currently using USB 2 drives but they are extremely slow.

Thanks
 
There are docks that give you USB3 ports.

I use OWC, LaCie and Oyen enclosures with drives that I select from 8TB reds to 500GB SSDs. The OWC and Oyen can hold 4 or 5 drives. These enclosures are in the $300-$400 range plus your drive(s)
 
Appreciate some quick responses. Would you be able to share link for external docks that will give me USB3 support.

I found this on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Kanex-Thunderbolt-eSATA-plus-Adapter/dp/B00LOLBBQQ

But price seems quite steep for this small adapter with one SATA and USB3 port.

Also find this
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TB2U3MED0GBO/

Caldigit solution looks good to me an price wise it is not that expensive and give me option to connect USB 3 HDDs, eSata HDDs and additional monitor if I want to. My question is what kind of eSata HDDs are recommended?

https://www.amazon.com/CalDigit-TS2-Thunderbolt-Ethernet-TS2-US-60/dp/B00R85YSYO#customerReviews

Thanks
 
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Using cheap with Thunderbolt is an oxymoron. I have two startech docks that have been solid performers (TBDOCKHDPBC and the newer TB2DOCK4KDHC). I like them because they seem to avoid the audio pop issue other docks have. CalDigit makes a good TB-3 dock. You will probably need more than one USB port at some time. The best dock for you is usually the one with the best port combo for your use.

Many of the higher end enclosures have a eSATA port along with USB and sometimes firewire., usually you buy the SATA cable separate.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GQSBP90/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

https://www.amazon.com/Thunderbolt-...StarTech-com/dp/B00Q6DNQT2/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
 
Last edited:
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ColdCase said:
Using cheap with Thunderbolt is an oxymoron. I have two startech docks that have been solid performers (TBDOCKHDPBC and the newer TB2DOCK4KDHC). I like them because they seem to avoid the audio pop issue other docks have. CalDigit makes a good TB-3 dock. You will probably need more than one USB port at some time. The best dock for you is usually the one with the best port combo for your use.

Many of the higher end enclosures have a eSATA port along with USB and sometimes firewire., usually you buy the SATA cable separate.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GQSBP90/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

https://www.amazon.com/Thunderbolt-...StarTech-com/dp/B00Q6DNQT2/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
Click to expand...

Thanks, After reviewing various docks, I was leaning more towards Caldigit Thurderbolt 2 and StarTech Thunderbolt 2 docks mainly due to various ports including eSata. But review of StraTech dock is not looking good on Amazon.com.

But thanks for confirming that you really like StarTech dock. I also like the look of this dock compare to other available including OWC, Belkin, Elgato, Iogear, etc. and I found a really good deal on a light used StarTech Thunderbolt 2 dock for under $100. I think I can't go wrong in trying that.

Thanks
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
There are several reviewers on Amazon that seem to be technically challenged... issues seem to be mostly with multiple displays and a misunderstanding of how they work. All docks run hot when in heavy use. A used one should get you by the infant mortality phase that some seem to have reported. Mine have been running 24/7 for near 4 years and 2 respectively.
 
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ColdCase said:
There are several reviewers on Amazon that seem to be technically challenged... issues seem to be mostly with multiple displays and a misunderstanding of how they work. All docks run hot when in heavy use. A used one should get you by the infant mortality phase that some seem to have reported. Mine have been running 24/7 for near 4 years and 2 respectively.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will go for Startech :)
 
Yeah, you can swap it out.

I've been using a Buffalo ministation via Thunderbolt on my 2011 27" iMac for a year now and it's been great. I bought the version with the 1TB 2.5" drive and swapped it with a Crucial 256GB SSD a friend kindly donated to me - it was the cheapest way for me at the time to get a Thunderbolt 1 external SSD. I use it as an external boot drive for High Sierra and it's been great. The hardest thing was getting the caddy apart as the adhesive pad that sticks it togther was pretty strong. The white plastic clips that hold the inner parts together are a little thin and require a gentle touch but it wasn't too bad, just a bit fiddly.

I followed a video such as this one:


It's not the sort of caddy you'd want to constantly be opening up though, if that's your plan.
 
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Thanks, since I installed 1TB SSD in my Mac, I guess I can live with 2.5" mechanical hard drive, but appreciate the link. It is good to know that there is an option.
[doublepost=1533016273][/doublepost]where can I pick up a good quality thunderbolt cable as apple OEM cable is quite expensive

Thanks
 
Bertrude said:
Yeah, you can swap it out.

I've been using a Buffalo ministation via Thunderbolt on my 2011 27" iMac for a year now and it's been great. I bought the version with the 1TB 2.5" drive and swapped it with a Crucial 256GB SSD a friend kindly donated to me - it was the cheapest way for me at the time to get a Thunderbolt 1 external SSD. I use it as an external boot drive for High Sierra and it's been great. The hardest thing was getting the caddy apart as the adhesive pad that sticks it togther was pretty strong. The white plastic clips that hold the inner parts together are a little thin and require a gentle touch but it wasn't too bad, just a bit fiddly.

I followed a video such as this one:


It's not the sort of caddy you'd want to constantly be opening up though, if that's your plan.
Click to expand...
You should get close to internal SSD performance using that method. Perfect for running macOS and applications from whilst using the iMac Drive for data.
 
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