USB 2.0 ports failing: need good Thunderbolt-USB Options!

[rwh63]

i have an early matchbook pro 13" with two usb 2.0 ports that have been extremely flaky for a long time now. i used to be able to connect by applying up or down pressure on the plug, but even that is failing. this laptop does have thunderbolt 1. are there any quality cables or hubs that i could use in the TB1 port in order to use at least a usb cable for data transfer (music, photos, external HD, etc)

thx!

 

[justashooter]

So it is a 2011 or newer MacBook Pro, that is when thunderbolt began. Earlier years have the same connector but are minidisplayport only.

You will need to find a used dock such as this:

Belkin F4U085 Thunderbolt 2 USB 3.0 Mini DP HDMI Express Dock HD No Adapter | eBay

Data Transfer Rate Thunderbolt 2: 20 Gb/s (backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 10 Gb/s). Requires computers with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port. 4K resolution is currently only supported on Mac OS X 10.10.

www.ebay.com

Thunderbolt 2 is backwards compatible with the original thunderbolt.

 

[rwh63]

So it is a 2011 or newer MacBook Pro, that is when thunderbolt began. Earlier years have the same connector but are minidisplayport only.

You will need to find a used dock such as this:

Belkin F4U085 Thunderbolt 2 USB 3.0 Mini DP HDMI Express Dock HD No Adapter | eBay

Data Transfer Rate Thunderbolt 2: 20 Gb/s (backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 10 Gb/s). Requires computers with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port. 4K resolution is currently only supported on Mac OS X 10.10.

www.ebay.com

Thunderbolt 2 is backwards compatible with the original thunderbolt.

hi,

yes, early 2011 w/thunderbolt/mdp port. are there new options, and best to have an adapter cable rather than something that takes a separate power supply (non-portable).

 

[venom600]

What you need is a Thunderbolt to USB Adapter or an old thunderbolt dock. If your goal is to remain portable, I'd get this Thunderbolt to USB 3/Ethernet adapter. It isn't cheap, but it'll give you faster 3.0 speeds and a redundant gigabit ethernet port.

Kanex Thunderbolt Gigabit Ethernet + USB 3.0 Adapter

The Kanex Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet + USB 3.0 Adapter lets you easily connect to a reliable, high-speed Gigabit Ethernet network. Small and compact, it connects to the Thunderbolt port on your Mac or PC computer and provides an RJ-45 port as well as an extra SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port.

www.amazon.com

 

[rwh63]

thx. i saw that as well. you're right, expensive. i am looking at used belkin hubs right now on Facebook marketplace. no way to do T1-T3?

 

[justashooter]

Apple does make this thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 adapter that is bidirectional:

Thunderbolt 3 USB C to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

BUT the Thunderbolt 3 device has to supply it own power.

Read about it here:

About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple Support

Connect a Mac that has a Thunderbolt 3 port to a device that uses a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 cable.

support.apple.com

You would also need a thunderbolt 2 cable and they are not cheap.

So I believe you would be better off with the Belkin device I posted about before.

 

[rwh63]

Apple does make this thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 adapter that is bidirectional:

Thunderbolt 3 USB C to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

BUT the Thunderbolt 3 device has to supply it own power.

Read about it here:

About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple Support

Connect a Mac that has a Thunderbolt 3 port to a device that uses a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 cable.

support.apple.com

You would also need a thunderbolt 2 cable and they are not cheap.

So I believe you would be better off with the Belkin device I posted about before.

or maybe a new laptop! yeah, i am looking around at the Belkin. thx.

 

[Fishrrman]

Don't spend very much $$$.
The price for the Kanex adapter (linked above) is ridiculous.
You'd do better to take that money and put it towards something new (or perhaps Apple-refurbished)...

 

[Amethyst1]

Apple does make this thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 adapter

It does not work for connecting USB devices to a Thunderbolt 1 or 2 Mac.

@rwh63: I have the Kanex eSATA/USB3.0 adapter and use it with a 2011 MacBook Pro. It works fine, even though it tends to get fairly warm. I got it for 30 bucks off eBay.

 

[rwh63]

It does not work for connecting USB devices to a Thunderbolt 1 or 2 Mac.

@rwh63: I have the Kanex eSATA/USB3.0 adapter and use it with a 2011 MacBook Pro. It works fine, even though it tends to get fairly warm. I got it for 30 bucks off eBay.

thx for the recommendation. i mainly want something for periodic uploads/downloads of external hd, pics/vids, music, etc. not heavy use, but needed. too bad my usb's are flaky. probably broken solder connections. the usb's power up my hd, but it is not recognized, so no backup possible.