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Make Thunderbolt 1 port a USB 3.0 port

MacUse-R

MacUse-R

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 24, 2017
185
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So my MBP late 2011 does only have usb 2.0 ports, so if I buy the Apple USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 1/2 adapter, will I then get a USB 3.0 port if i also use a Thunderbolt to thunderbolt cable and a USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter?

I know it involves a few cables and adapters, but thats the possible solution i could think of. I know there are converters from Thunderbolt 1/2 to USB 3.0 but they cost a lot, and I already have the Thunderbolt cable and the USB-C to USB-A adapter.

Since the USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 1/2 adapter from Apple apparently works both ways, so with a normal thunderbolt cable attached to the adapter that would give me a USB-C connector, and then using a USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter.

Would that be possible, is everything compatible? I hope you didn't get too confused?
 
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Errrr no, that won't turn your USB2 port into a USB3 port. The speed of the port is determined by the type of port thats on the motherboard, not by what cables you plug into it. In your case, you have USB 2 ports on your motherboard.
 
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MacUse-R said:
So my MBP late 2011 does only have usb 2.0 ports, so if I buy the Apple USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 1/2 adapter, will I then get a USB 3.0 port if i also use a Thunderbolt to thunderbolt cable and a USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter?

I know it involves a few cables and adapters, but thats the possible solution i could think of. I know there are converters from Thunderbolt 1/2 to USB 3.0 but they cost a lot, and I already have the Thunderbolt cable and the USB-C to USB-A adapter.

Since the USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 1/2 adapter from Apple apparently works both ways, so with a normal thunderbolt cable attached to the adapter that would give me a USB-C connector, and then using a USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter.

Would that be possible, is everything compatible? I hope you didn't get too confused?
Click to expand...
The Apple Thunderbolt adapter won't work for that. You'd need either a Thunderbolt hub or something like the Kanex Thunderbolt-USB adapter. https://www.kanex.com/category/adapters#adapter-thunderbolt
 
mick2 said:
Errrr no, that won't turn your USB2 port into a USB3 port. The speed of the port is determined by the type of port thats on the motherboard, not by what cables you plug into it. In your case, you have USB 2 ports on your motherboard.
Click to expand...

Easy easy, Im not talking about the USB-A 2.0 ports on the computer, i´m talking about the Thunderbolt port, it can surely handle faster speeds than a USB-A 2.0.
[doublepost=1556019415][/doublepost]
chrfr said:
The Apple Thunderbolt adapter won't work for that. You'd need either a Thunderbolt hub or something like the Kanex Thunderbolt-USB adapter. https://www.kanex.com/category/adapters#adapter-thunderbolt
Click to expand...

Yep, thats the one which I thought of when said that they are too expensive, its like 130 USD here in Europe and then about 20 USD extra for shipping.

So do you know why it wouldn't work? I actually seen this solution mentioned on a couple of other places on the internet, don't know if they are accurate though?
Since the adapter works both ways and as far I have understood a Thunderbolt port can handle data just like a USB-port can?
So if you reverse the adapter you get a USB-C port/connector, so why not a USB-A port with the right adapter?

So is there any other converters/ adapters other than the Kanex, which has a price which doesn't cost half of what the MBP is worth?
 
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MacUse-R said:
Easy easy, Im not talking about the USB-A 2.0 ports on the computer, i´m talking about the Thunderbolt port, it can surely handle faster speeds than a USB-A 2.0.
[doublepost=1556019415][/doublepost]

Yep, thats the one which I thought of when said that they are too expensive, its like 130 USD here in Europe and then about 20 USD extra for shipping.

So do you know why it wouldn't work? I actually seen this solution mentioned on a couple of other places on the internet, don't know if they are accurate though?
Since the adapter works both ways and as far I have understood a Thunderbolt port can handle data just like a USB-port?

So is there any other converters/ adapters other than the Kanex, which has a price which doesn't cost half of what the MBP is worth?
Click to expand...

Apple's Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 1/2 adapter is for physically adapting Thunderbolt ports. That's all it does. It does not have a USB Controller. It can only pass through protocols supported by Thunderbolt 1/2 (PCIe and Video).

The reason why you need a dock or some expensive adapter. Is that Thunderbolt 1/2 is just a straight Thunderbolt connection. USB needs a controller chipset to function. The docks are so expensive because Thunderbolt is expensive to implement. Which is also why hardly anyone buys Thunderbolt devices.

USB C was designed to be a jack of all trades. It allows USB, PCIe and Video to utilize the same connector. It simplified connectors but make life more difficult for consumers. Since now they have to know what the port supports.
 
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velocityg4 said:
Apple's Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 1/2 adapter is for physically adapting Thunderbolt ports. That's all it does. It does not have a USB Controller. It can only pass through protocols supported by Thunderbolt 1/2 (PCIe and Video).

The reason why you need a dock or some expensive adapter. Is that Thunderbolt 1/2 is just a straight Thunderbolt connection. USB needs a controller chipset to function. The docks are so expensive because Thunderbolt is expensive to implement. Which is also why hardly anyone buys Thunderbolt devices.

USB C was designed to be a jack of all trades. It allows USB, PCIe and Video to utilize the same connector. It simplified connectors but make life more difficult for consumers. Since now they have to know what the port supports.
Click to expand...

Okay I see, thanks for the good explanation. Okay so my only alternative would be to buy one of these kanex converters. Not only that they are expensive but I haven't actually seen many different converters of that kind, I think the kanex one is the only one I've seen, maybe one other but not more than that. So that doesn't leave me with many options.

Maybe I can find a used one on ebay if I look around for a while? Otherwise I have to be without a USB 3.0 port.
 
Any thunderbolt 1/2 dock with USB 3.0 should work. As long as it is Mac compatible.

I'd like to say Thunderbolt 3 (not USB c) docks would work with the Apple adapter. But I'm not sure if they rely on USB passthrough or have USB controllers. For their USB 3/3.1/3.1 Gen 2 ports
.
 
OP wrote:
"Okay so my only alternative would be to buy one of these kanex converters. Not only that they are expensive but I haven't actually seen many different converters of that kind, I think the kanex one is the only one I've seen, maybe one other but not more than that. So that doesn't leave me with many options."

The Kanex adapter is expensive because there was never much of a market for it. It was a "specialty item" with little demand.

That's also why there were no "other" products of that type on the market -- few people wanted one.

You'll note that if you go to the Kanex page, it shows "back order". I'm wondering if they're ever going to be made again.

It's still possible to find them used, or "new old stock".

I don't think it's worth it to buy a dock for a 2011 MBP.
But that's just me.
 
Yeah, i´m definitely not going to buy it at that price for a 2011 MBP. I just thought it would have been nice to have a USB 3.0 port on my MBP.

If there is not cheaper alternatives to get a USB 3.0 port then I will just forget about it.
 
Yeah, i know that Delock brand, didnt knew they made this kind of adapter. There was no price on their website, about how much does that adapter cost?
 
hi there everyone,
same issue here with a new second-hand MacBook pro. I would like to connect an external ssd to it via usb 3 using an adaptor Thunderbolt 1 to Usb 3 - any specific suggestion for a Thunderbolt dock ? otherwise it looks like the Delock adaptor is the way to go... thx
 
Personally i gave up on trying to get a USB 3.0/3.1 port for my 2011 MBP, i couldnt find any solution that was less than like 120 Euro with shipping. I dont know if its worth since the MBP 2011 is not worth too much on its own.
But as i have understand it the only solution is the expensive Thundebolt 1/2 to USB 3 converter/adapter, and the only ones i found was the Kanex and the Delock.

So that doesn´t leave you with many options. Go with the Delock if you think its worth it.
 
Hi there, MacUse-R,
everyone,

Merry Christmas.

So I did go for the Delock Adapter Thunderbolt™ male > USB 3.0 Type-A female.
1. because according to some other thread I read, it seems to be a fully functional and valid solution.
2. because it's Christmas.

Regarding 1.
I did read on a similar thread, that such an adaptor did effectively provide USB 3.0 to a MBP 2011
and furthermore, the start-up time of the Mac OS from a SSD drive connected over that adapter was even significantly faster than an internal SSD! I forget the exact numbers, but it was a ration of 3 to 1...

So hopefully I will receive this adapter Friday or Saturday, test it, and will gladly post here about the results.

I bought that 2011 Macbook Pro with 16GB of RAM, a 500GB SSD and 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7 for 250€
I always run my music set-up 8 years behind so it's completely developers-bug free, and I never give into to the Rat race too easily, for fear of loosing / having to re-purchase half of my plug-ins, softs, etc.

For a 100€ I'll get USB 3.0 and can have an external SSD drive with my all my "instruments" readily available on my Studio machine (2008!) or my brand new triple-hand Road Ready MCP 2011
 
I just bought a Thunderbolt Display, which comes with 3xUSB 2.0 ports which are slow, which is the only drawback. anyone have an idea the thunderbolt port on the back of display would support USB3.0 using that converter or that port is for display-only purpose?
 
akbarali.ch said:
I just bought a Thunderbolt Display, which comes with 3xUSB 2.0 ports which are slow, which is the only drawback. anyone have an idea the thunderbolt port on the back of display would support USB3.0 using that converter or that port is for display-only purpose?
Click to expand...
You can buy one of the expensive Thunderbolt to USB 3.0 adapters or get a Thunderbolt dock, which will have more ports than just USB 3.0 and be even more expensive than the USB only adapter, if you can still find one. Most vendors have moved to Thunderbolt 3 devices at this point.
 
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Hi all,
I’m new here so don’t know where to post this! But would love some help.
I have an early 2014 MacBook Air that has thunderbolt 1.
I have just bought a new dell usb c monitor.
I want to connect my MacBook to this.
What is the best way to do this? And cheapest?
The monitor has a built in hub but only one upstream port which is the usb c. Can I use the thunderbolt 3 to 2 adaptor and cable to connect the MacBook to the monitor?
Will this let me access the USB ports on the monitor to plug keyboard mouse in? And will it transfer video over to the monitor? Will it charge the MacBook too?
All tips and ideas would be much appreciated! Thanks!
 
I'm pretty sure that thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 adapter won't work as it won't carry any USB C video/data signal.

The thunderbolt 1/2/3 also carry display port and HDMI data. So I'm pretty sure you can use a mini display port (which is the exact same connector as thunderbolt 1/2) to USBC cable (look out for one supporting 4K). These are simple cheap cables. I don't think this cable would carry any non-video data, but try and post it here. Remember you are going to transfer display port video signal, not thunderbolt data.
 
Sambo7728 said:
Hi all,
I’m new here so don’t know where to post this! But would love some help.
I have an early 2014 MacBook Air that has thunderbolt 1.
I have just bought a new dell usb c monitor.
I want to connect my MacBook to this.
What is the best way to do this? And cheapest?
The monitor has a built in hub but only one upstream port which is the usb c. Can I use the thunderbolt 3 to 2 adaptor and cable to connect the MacBook to the monitor?
Will this let me access the USB ports on the monitor to plug keyboard mouse in? And will it transfer video over to the monitor? Will it charge the MacBook too?
All tips and ideas would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Your Dell display most likely has additional ports besides USB-C. Use those. Apple's Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter will not pass through video unless being connected to a true Thunderbolt device, which your Dell is not.
 
Hadrian_2020 said:
Hi there, MacUse-R,
everyone,

Merry Christmas.

So I did go for the Delock Adapter Thunderbolt™ male > USB 3.0 Type-A female.
1. because according to some other thread I read, it seems to be a fully functional and valid solution.
2. because it's Christmas.

Regarding 1.
I did read on a similar thread, that such an adaptor did effectively provide USB 3.0 to a MBP 2011
and furthermore, the start-up time of the Mac OS from a SSD drive connected over that adapter was even significantly faster than an internal SSD! I forget the exact numbers, but it was a ration of 3 to 1...

So hopefully I will receive this adapter Friday or Saturday, test it, and will gladly post here about the results.

I bought that 2011 Macbook Pro with 16GB of RAM, a 500GB SSD and 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7 for 250€
I always run my music set-up 8 years behind so it's completely developers-bug free, and I never give into to the Rat race too easily, for fear of loosing / having to re-purchase half of my plug-ins, softs, etc.

For a 100€ I'll get USB 3.0 and can have an external SSD drive with my all my "instruments" readily available on my Studio machine (2008!) or my brand new triple-hand Road Ready MCP 2011
Click to expand...

Hey, hope you had a good Christmas :) Can I ask you what your experience was of the adapter? I have an old Late 2012 iMac that still works fine for its need (home schooling assignments...) except when it's backing up to Time Machine through the USB. During most back ups it is so slow to being unusable. My thinking is that if I use one of the TB ports it frees up the USB and avoids some of the CPU lock up. Any feedback would be great!
 
Hi,
I have MBP late 2011. I think my USB ports are be are becoming a bit worn (cables connectors are not tight), so would like to connect a Thunderbolt dock to the Thunderbolt 1 port, which would replace the MBP ports. The only Thunderbolt dock I can find with USB2 ports is Belkin Thunderbolt Express which is no longer available. Does any one know of any others? I'm not trying to turn the Thunderbolt 1 port into Thunderbolt 3 and I don't have any Thunderbolt 3 devices currently. I'm just trying to connect USB 2 devices. Any help much appreciated.
 
TQ33 said:
Hi,
I have MBP late 2011. I think my USB ports are be are becoming a bit worn (cables connectors are not tight), so would like to connect a Thunderbolt dock to the Thunderbolt 1 port, which would replace the MBP ports. The only Thunderbolt dock I can find with USB2 ports is Belkin Thunderbolt Express which is no longer available. Does any one know of any others? I'm not trying to turn the Thunderbolt 1 port into Thunderbolt 3 and I don't have any Thunderbolt 3 devices currently. I'm just trying to connect USB 2 devices. Any help much appreciated.
Click to expand...

USB is forewards/backwards compatible. A Thunderbolt dock with USB 3.0/1/2 ports will work just fine for your USB 2.0 devices.
 
velocityg4 said:
USB is forewards/backwards compatible. A Thunderbolt dock with USB 3.0/1/2 ports will work just fine for your USB 2.0 devices.
Click to expand...
Thank you for responding. I'm unable to find any Thunderbolt 1 docks and the only Thunderbolt 2 docks all seem to have only USB 3 ports which look like they are a slightly different shape to USB2. I haven't examined one physically - just from the images on the internet. Am I correct? Also will the Thunderbolt 2 connector, connect to my Thunderbolt 1 port?.
 
TQ33 said:
Thank you for responding. I'm unable to find any Thunderbolt 1 docks and the only Thunderbolt 2 docks all seem to have only USB 3 ports which look like they are a slightly different shape to USB2. I haven't examined one physically - just from the images on the internet. Am I correct? Also will the Thunderbolt 2 connector, connect to my Thunderbolt 1 port?.
Click to expand...
USB 1, 2, 3 all have the same size connector, USB-C has the faster USB3 speed and is the small slot shaped plug, it is also the same connector for Tunderbolt 3 - IF - it has Thunderbolt 3 implemented (same connector 2 different protocols).

Yes, the thunderbolt 1 and 2 connector are the same. It is also the mini displayport connector. 2008 thru 2010 MacBook Pro's had this same connector that was mini displayport only for monitors, and was NOT Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt was introduced in 2011.

Here are three samples of docks available used that are Thunderbolt 2, backwards compatible to Thunderbolt 1 with USB 3 ports, Thunderbolt 2 ports that would allow daisy chaining devices such as a Thunderbolt (displayport) monitor or hard drive, and other ports. Sorry, these links will eventual die.

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Elgato-Thu...527868?hash=item2f436aae7c:g:zK0AAOSwo71ewdoI

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/StarTech-T...292566?hash=item2ae8ea40d6:g:ef0AAOSw7RdewYTR

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Belkin-Thu...848432?hash=item4dac383c70:g:2agAAOSwmQNetO99

Cheers.
 
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