Thunderbolt 1/2 to USB-C exists ?

[Macbookprodude]

Hello everyone,

I have a 2011 Macbook Pro which suits my needs rather nicely, though i will soon be getting a 1tb ssd for it and 1600 mhz 16GB memory. With the new USB-C port now in the current MacBook Pros, is there such a thing for older MacBook pro users to make use of USB-C through the TB 1/2 ports ? I am still trying to figure out what I could use TB for.

 

[LarryJoe33]

Hello everyone,

I have a 2011 Macbook Pro which suits my needs rather nicely, though i will soon be getting a 1tb ssd for it and 1600 mhz 16GB memory. With the new USB-C port now in the current MacBook Pros, is there such a thing for older MacBook pro users to make use of USB-C through the TB 1/2 ports ? I am still trying to figure out what I could use TB for.

This could work:
https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-...24871047&sr=8-4&keywords=thunderbolt+to+usb+c

Although I am not sure what you are trying to use it for. What USB-C device are you trying to attach?

If you are looking for something to use your TB port for, I use it all the time for TB (Displayport) to HDMI for connecting to a TV. When traveling this comes in handy for hotel rooms.

 

[BeatCrazy]

This could work:
https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-...24871047&sr=8-4&keywords=thunderbolt+to+usb+c

Although I am not sure what you are trying to use it for. What USB-C device are you trying to attach?

If you are looking for something to use your TB port for, I use it all the time for TB (Displayport) to HDMI for connecting to a TV. When traveling this comes in handy for hotel rooms.

That cable/adaptor won't work.

Best bet is to get a used/cheap Thunderbolt dock, and use its USB 3.0/HDMI ports in order to get high-speed throughput to the MacBook Pro.

 

[LarryJoe33]

That cable/adaptor won't work.

Best bet is to get a used/cheap Thunderbolt dock, and use its USB 3.0/HDMI ports in order to get high-speed throughput to the MacBook Pro.

So it’s possible to get USB 3.0 speeds through TB with a dock? So a usb 3.0 external drive would perform well?

 

[chabig]

So it’s possible to get USB 3.0 speeds through TB with a dock? So a usb 3.0 external drive would perform well?

Yes. Thunderbolt is faster than USB, so USB devices connected to a Thunderbolt dock will not be limited.

 

[LarryJoe33]

Yes. Thunderbolt is faster than USB, so USB devices connected to a Thunderbolt dock will not be limited.

Thanks, I did some homework. Looks like the preferred dock for this runs about $80 new on Amazon or B&H.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...KcZHMgdK_28ChgozW-1WPBlVXsSfCrtxoCzfQQAvD_BwE

 

[Fishrrman]

If you have a 2011 MBP, it's not worth bothering with USB-c.

The 2011 model probably isn't fast enough to enable USB-c to provide any advantage (that you would have vis-a-vis just using USB-a).

A 1tb SSD isn't going to do anything for you unless you put it into an external thunderbolt enclosure and run it that way. And tb "empty enclosures" are difficult to find.

 

[chabig]

With the new USB-C port now in the current MacBook Pros, is there such a thing for older MacBook pro users to make use of USB-C through the TB 1/2 ports?

USB-C is just the name of the new connector. It's a versatile connector that can carry signals for USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and I might have missed one or two more. There is only one reason for you to need a USB-C port, and that is if you have a device with a USB-C plug.

 

[BeatCrazy]

So it’s possible to get USB 3.0 speeds through TB with a dock? So a usb 3.0 external drive would perform well?

Correct. I did the same thing for a long time with my old 2011 Mac mini. Adding a TB dock gave it several more years of useful life with faster I/O.

Thanks, I did some homework. Looks like the preferred dock for this runs about $80 new on Amazon or B&H.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1075056-REG/kanex_ktu10_thunderbolt_to_usb_3_0_esata.html?ap=y&c3api=1876,52934714882,,&gclid=CjwKCAjwt5DXBRAtEiwAa3vyEmuRPMmJyChiboP0cSfGQrKcZHMgdK_28ChgozW-1WPBlVXsSfCrtxoCzfQQAvD_BwE

Yes, that would work. But you might want to look for a used CalDigit Thunderbolt 1 or 2 dock on eBay for $50-$100.