nMP 6,1 Thunderbolt Docks

[Selsk]

I need a thunderbolt dock for my trash can mac pro. I see a couple TB2 docks on the market, but much more TB3 ones obviously. Can I use the OWC TB3 dock with a TB3 to TB2 cable? Would I miss out on any of the dock's features besides the TB3 speed?

Reason I'm asking, the docks are fairly expensive and I don't want to have to invest in more dead end TB2 stuff if I don't have to. At least I could potentially use a TB3 dock with say a new Mac Pro 7,1 etc down the road.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Synchro3]

Afaik there is no TB3 to TB2 cable, only TB3 to TB2 adapters, e.g.: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?

You can use all the TB 3 periphery with this adapter, but not boot from them.

 

[OldMike]

Afaik there is no TB3 to TB2 cable, only TB3 to TB2 adapters, e.g.: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?

You can use all the TB 3 periphery with this adapter, but not boot from them.

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I have that same adapter (several of them) and I boot my nMP from TB3 enclosures (mostly Akitio Quad Mini) all the time.

 

[Synchro3]

Ok, seems like booting TB3 drives with a TB2 Mac is no problem.

But booting TB2 drives with a TB3 Mac is an issue.

I have a TB3 Mac Mini 2018, and when I try to boot a drive from this TB2 enclosure it doesn't work without deconnecting an reconnecting the cable in the right time: https://www.firmtek.com/seritek/thundertek/chassis.php

 

[joevt]

Ok, seems like booting TB3 drives with a TB2 Mac is no problem.

But booting TB2 drives with a TB3 Mac is an issue.

I have a TB3 Mac Mini 2018, and when I try to boot a drive from this TB2 enclosure it doesn't work without deconnecting an reconnecting the cable in the right time: https://www.firmtek.com/seritek/thundertek/chassis.php

The Mac Mini 2018 has a T2 chip. Did you change the boot security settings first?
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/can-you-boot-the-2018-mini-from-external-drive.2156345/

 

[Synchro3]

The Mac Mini 2018 has a T2 chip. Did you change the boot security settings first?
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/can-you-boot-the-2018-mini-from-external-drive.2156345/

Yes, 'Allow booting from external media' is enabled.