Macbook pro 2.0 & Monitor with 3.0 USB..

Who knows? If you connect the monitor with a Thunderbolt cable (not a MiniDP cable) and they've implemented the Thunderbolt standard correctly and the specs as stated are correct, then yes, you should get USB 3.0 speed. But in the real world that doesn't always happen. You would need to see reviews from technical publications and users to see if that actually works with the monitor you have in mind. Thunderbolt 1 has a throughput of 10Gb/sec., USB3 is 5Gb/sec. You can do the math to see if the monitor (typically 60fps) would approach 5Gb/sec. However, most HDD would have a speed of no more than 100MB/sec. so that should be factored in as well.

EDIT: I did the math on the monitor I use - 2560x1440, 32-bit color = 884MB/sec., so it would be tight. Correct my math/assumptions if it's incorrect.

 

You'd get USB 2. slowest link in chain wins.

 

If you connect the monitor's USB hub via USB to your MBP, you'll get USB 2.0. If the monitor is Thunderbolt equipped and you connect via it, you may get USB 3.0.

 

There's a Kanex Thunderbolt to USB3 adapter on Amazon and the first review is from a person who connected the to their monitor and says they got USB3 so I think it is possible given the right implementation. But the other thing to check before purchasing is OS compatibility.

http://www.amazon.com/Kanex-KTU10-T...60337377&sr=1-1&keywords=thunderbolt+to+usb+3

 

Yes, the SSD will make much of what you do faster, but won't make a USB 2.0 bus any faster.
The ONLY way you can get USB 3.0, is with a Thunderbolt device that provides that output.
And, as treekram said, if you use thunderbolt for video too, - then other performance capabilities, such as USB 3.0, might be supported, or won't fully work to give you everything that you want. There is only so much bandwidth available.
Best bet, if you want USB 3.0, will be to upgrade to a computer that has USB 3.0 on the logic board.

 

Well if you are connecting through thunderbolt it may work. As others have said that depends on multiple factors you'll have to try and see.

 

Which monitor are you getting? Apple's Thunderbolt display, for example, provides USB 2.0 ports, which won't help you on your quest to faster USB connection.

 

- The LG 34UM95 has a USB 3.0 hub that works via Thunderbolt (at least Thunderbolt 2; Thunderbolt 1 is a bit unsure).

 

The Kanex adapter wasn't meant to be something you should buy, but an example that a Thunderbolt 1 daisy-chain could support a monitor and USB3. The Kanex would involve 2 separate devices, the monitor you're looking at would be a daisy-chain in one device. The reason why I put the link there is because in the reviews, many of the posters had a 2011 MBP and had the same need - a monitor and USB3 where no USB3 port is available. If you buy a monitor and the USB3 doesn't work at a much faster speed than USB2, then you know it's the monitor, not the Thunderbolt technology that is at fault.

 

You would need either an LG monitor with Thunderbolt or a thunderbolt hub.