Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

ls1dreams

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 13, 2009
674
271
If I bought a mac mini and wanted to expand it, obviously TB5 would be faster, but probably insanely expensive.

Basically thinking I can go on the hunt for a good, reliable TB4 enclosure as they get cleared out. 1 or 2 NVME slot support would be fine.
For the right price also might consider something with 3.5 HDD slots + NVME.

I've seen the little Maiwo/Jeyi 1 x NVME enclosures for like $40-$50 but not sure if they are really reliable for long term use.
 
For SSD enclosures, Thunderbolt 3 has the same performance as Thunderbolt 4.

Check out models from Acasis for high performance/reliability.
 
For SSD enclosures, Thunderbolt 3 has the same performance as Thunderbolt 4.

Check out models from Acasis for high performance/reliability.

Yes though TB3 has no backwards compatibility to USB 3 C ports if you need to connect it to an older machine.
 
Yes though TB3 has no backwards compatibility to USB 3 C ports if you need to connect it to an older machine.
It does if you pick the right enclosure.
 
It does if you pick the right enclosure.
You linked a TB4/USB-C enclosure that's backwards compatible with TB3. Of course it's compatible with USB3 lol.
 
I got two of the Acasis "TBU405 Air" enclosures (Thunderbolt-only) and they're working fine so far.

They were cheapest for me purchased directly from Acasis.
Good price on those - no fan though right? Any overheating issues?
 
You linked a TB4/USB-C enclosure that's backwards compatible with TB3. Of course it's compatible with USB3 lol.
As I originally stated, TB3 vs TB4 has no performance difference when it comes to storage. Im fact, I’m 99.9% sure that enclosure is genuinely TB4, rather simply TB3 with additional USB controller chip added for backwards compatibility
 
As I originally stated, TB3 vs TB4 has no performance difference when it comes to storage. Im fact, I’m 99.9% sure that enclosure is genuinely TB4, rather simply TB3 with additional USB controller chip added for backwards compatibility
It's actually kind of complicated. With TB3 only newer versions of chips are backwards compatible with USB-C ports, but also only if the manufacturer decides to implement them.

The JHL7440 (titan ridge) in that /is/ the newer variant that is capable of backwards compatibility vs. the older titan ridge stuff (JHL6xxx).

It's also slightly inaccurate to say there is no performance difference. Newer ASM USB4 chipsets have proven to be about 30% faster in real world performance than the older JHL TB3 chipsets, even though they are both rated 40Gbps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Basic75
With TB3 only newer versions of chips are backwards compatible with USB-C ports, but also only if the manufacturer decides to implement them.
Did you mean "with USB protocol" or "with non-TB USB-C ports" instead of "with USB-C ports"?
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.