Looking for the perfect Thunderbolt dock (if it's possible)

[Dwight Hitchum]

Hi, everyone,

I've been digging through these forums and the rest of the web with no luck, so here goes:

I have a 2011 Mac Mini I would like to use as a server for USB 3 drives while networking it (via Thunderbolt Bridge) with my Retina Macbook Pro. The rMBP needs to access both USB 3 drives at a decent speed.

So, I have a few options:
1. Buy a new low-end Mac Mini (for around $500) with Thunderbolt and USB 3, or...
2. Buy a Thunderbolt dock for my existing Mac Mini. I'm looking at the OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock.

Can a Thunderbolt dock maintain the Thunderbolt Bridge? If so, I'm definitely getting the dock as the latest Minis are a bit lackluster. What do you fine people think? Much thanks in advance!

--Dwight

 

[mfram]

I'm confused. If you want to use a USB 3 drive, plug it into your rMBP directly. Why is the Mac Mini even in the picture here?

 

[Dwight Hitchum]

Sorry for the confusion.

I'll be unloading data on to the Mini's drives while simultaneously using the rMBP for more processor intensive tasks. I won't be able to use the Mini for anything other than dumping data (video footage).