USB 2.0 USAP compatible?

[maskingtape123]

As above. Intend to get an external HDD enclosure that has USB 3.0 and USAP supported (USAP more expensive). I'm using an iMac 2011 which doesn't come with USB 3.0. However some articles stated that USAP will work for USB 2.0 as well. Is that so? If not probably I'll save the cash and get the normal ones instead. Thanks!

 

[theSeb]

I think you mean UASP? USB 3 is backwards compatible period. Whether the enclosure supports UASP, or not, does not break the backwards compatibility.

In a nutshell, yes, it will work.

 

[maskingtape123]

Yes UASP, however does it really speed up transfer speed? The chart stated that it does speed up on USB 3.0, however I'm not sure if that really works for a USB 2.0.

Anyway the enclosure is this: http://www.startech.com/HDD/Enclosures/USB-30-35in-SATA-HDD-Enclosure~S3510BMU33B

 

[theSeb]

Yes UASP, however does it really speed up transfer speed? The chart stated that it does speed up on USB 3.0, however I'm not sure if that really works for a USB 2.0.

Anyway the enclosure is this: http://www.startech.com/HDD/Enclosures/USB-30-35in-SATA-HDD-Enclosure~S3510BMU33B

It definitely speeds up USB 3 transfer speeds. I am not sure if it speeds up USB 2 speeds, because I have never tested this and I have no Macs with USB 2 to try it out with my UASP enclosures.

 

[maskingtape123]

It definitely speeds up USB 3 transfer speeds. I am not sure if it speeds up USB 2 speeds, because I have never tested this and I have no Macs with USB 2 to try it out with my UASP enclosures.

Thanks for your advice. I guess I'll just go ahead with it, shouldn't do any harm I hope (unless compatibility issue). Maybe in future if upgrade to newer iMac at least this still can work.

 

[rpmurray]

So how did it work out?

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Slow I would guess. What type of drive is in the external and did you consider a Thunderbolt case?

eBay may help you out. Here is one refurbished:-


https://www.ebay.com/p/Hitachi-G-dr...rd-Drive-0G03052/14017859739?iid=372400940659

 

[Richdmoore]

When i had a 2011 iMac, a thunderbolt 1 drive (SSD drive in a delock thunderbolt shell) worked great as a boot drive.

If you upgrade to a newer mac with usb 3, they all have UASP support, so if you are buying a new drive anyway it may help to have a "future proof one" depending on the costs and your needs.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

There's nothing to worry about.

UASP will work just fine with USB2.

It's "backward compatible" and it will be "there, ready and waiting" when the time comes to "move up" to a faster Mac...

 

[rpmurray]

The thing I was wondering about is if you would be able to see both drives over USB 2.0 using something like the OWC Dual Drive Dock. The USB 3 variant is inexpensive while the Thunderbolt one is quite pricy. I have a couple of 2011 iMacs which only support USB 2. I know the iMacs have Thunderbolt ports but I'm cheap.

 

[jerwin]

hmm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_Attached_SCSI

UAS was introduced as part of the USB 3.0 standard, but can also be used with devices complying to the slower USB 2.0 standard, assuming use of compatible hardware, firmware and drivers.

If the hardware, drivers, or firmware aren't there, the drive falls back to using the "Bulk-Only Transport" protocol.