Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

[lympero]

I want to use this adapter the other way in order to connect a usb-c external ssd to a thunderbolt port on a mac mini 2011. The site says "As a bidirectional adapter, it can also connect new Thunderbolt 3 devices to a Mac with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port." (http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter)

This means i need an extra thunderbolt cable to connect this adapter to mac mini and then the usb-c end to the external ssd?

 

[satinsilverem2]

This should work provided that the drive you want to use is thunderbolt 3 and not just USB C. And yes you will need a thunderbolt 1/2 cable to connect.

 

[chabig]

Chances are your external SSD is USB, not Thunderbolt. USB-C connectors can carry both USB signals and Thunderbolt signals, but both ends must support the same protocols or it won't work.

 

[lympero]

So this wont work right?
http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/product/portable/t3.html

 

[chabig]

That would work out of the box. It's USB 3.1 with a Type-C connector. It doesn't come with a Type-C to Type-C cable, though. You'd need a Type-C to Type-A adapter ($9 from Apple) or a new cable like one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/CHOETECH-Hi-speed-Devices-Including-ChromeBook/dp/B017W2RWBI/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1478356867&sr=8-11&keywords=USB-C+cable&th=1
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13034
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0041&cm_re=USB-C_cable-_-12-990-041-_-Product
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/H...dde5f2510586022b9b9e94a0811018ca10c67d44163c9

 

[lympero]

Thanks! This usb 3, 3.1, type c, thunderbolt 3 thing is so confusing.

 

[chabig]

Thanks! This usb 3, 3.1, type c, thunderbolt 3 thing is so confusing.

Yes. The way people have been speaking of USB-C is confusing.

Just remember this: USB is a data transfer protocol. There have been several generations of USB, USB-2, USB-3 and each is backwards compatible with prior generations. To use USVB, you need connectors (plugs) on the ends of cables and devices. The original connectors were called Type-A and Type-B. They were problematic, fragile, and frustrating because they had a right-side up. The new connectors are called Type-C, and they are nice because they are small, sturdy, and reversible.

To make matters better (or worse), the new Type-C connector is designed to be future-proof, so it's multi-purpose. It supports USB signaling, as well as Thunderbolt, PCI-Express, ethernet, HDMI, and DisplayPort.

Don't use USB-C when speaking of protocols. It's just a connector. The new MacBook Pros support USB 2 and 3, Thunderbolt (1, 2, and 3), DisplayPort, wired ethernet, and HDMI. They just do it with a Type-C connector.

 

[RandomRazer]

Yes. The way people have been speaking of USB-C is confusing.

Just remember this: USB is a data transfer protocol. There have been several generations of USB, USB-2, USB-3 and each is backwards compatible with prior generations. To use USVB, you need connectors (plugs) on the ends of cables and devices. The original connectors were called Type-A and Type-B. They were problematic, fragile, and frustrating because they had a right-side up. The new connectors are called Type-C, and they are nice because they are small, sturdy, and reversible.

To make matters better (or worse), the new Type-C connector is designed to be future-proof, so it's multi-purpose. It supports USB signaling, as well as Thunderbolt, PCI-Express, ethernet, HDMI, and DisplayPort.

Don't use USB-C when speaking of protocols. It's just a connector. The new MacBook Pros support USB 2 and 3, Thunderbolt (1, 2, and 3), DisplayPort, wired ethernet, and HDMI. They just do it with a Type-C connector.

ca n u hook a mini display port vga adapter to the thunderbolt to thunderbolt 3 adapter?

 

[chabig]

ca n u hook a mini display port vga adapter to the thunderbolt to thunderbolt 3 adapter?

To connect a VGA display to the USB-C port, you would plug in a USB-C to VGA adapter, like this. The USB-C to Thunderbolt3 adapter doesn't carry mini-displayport signals.

 

[RandomRazer]

To connect a VGA display to the USB-C port, you would plug in a USB-C to VGA adapter, like this. The USB-C to Thunderbolt3 adapter doesn't carry mini-displayport signals.

i wnated to save some money ad use a vga to mini display port adatper onto a thunderbolt 3 adapter lol