I just got myself a USB 3.2 gen 2x2 SSD but can't take advantage of this spec with any of the latest Macs, even though they support USB-4 (or Thunderbolt 4 for that matter). Will this likely change in future years?
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Will USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 come to the M4-series MacBook Pros?
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What do you mean? USB4 is faster than, and a superset of, usb 3,2 2x2. The usb ports in all current Macs will run at full speed with usb 3,2. Assuming it’s either in a type C connector or you don’t use an adapter/converter/hub that itself is limited.
Unfortunately the most likely answer is no. The only way to get thunderbolt speeds using an external SSD on a Mac is getting a thunderbolt enclosure or just buying a thunderbolt SSD. There's plenty available. I would return what you bought and get a 1,000MB max USB or go full thunderbolt if you really need it. I have the crucial X9 Pro 4TB.
You're mistaken. No Mac will run USB 3.2 2x2 at full speed. If you plug a USB 3.2 2x2 SSD into a Mac it will only run at 10Gb, Only half of the specs capability.
I stand corrected. I was not aware 2x2 was still an optional spec in usb4. Thought it was a strict superset. Ignore prior comment
Yeah it would make sense for it be there and I’m disappointed Apple didn’t include it.
MRx explained:
"You're mistaken. No Mac will run USB 3.2 2x2 at full speed. If you plug a USB 3.2 2x2 SSD into a Mac it will only run at 10Gb, Only half of the specs capability."
Thanks for the clarification.
However...
If one connects a USB4 drive (using the appropriate cable), will the [theoretical] 40gb speed then be "halved" to, say, a maximum of around 20gb ??
"You're mistaken. No Mac will run USB 3.2 2x2 at full speed. If you plug a USB 3.2 2x2 SSD into a Mac it will only run at 10Gb, Only half of the specs capability."
Thanks for the clarification.
However...
If one connects a USB4 drive (using the appropriate cable), will the [theoretical] 40gb speed then be "halved" to, say, a maximum of around 20gb ??
I’m not quite understanding the question. I’ll answer it how I’m reading it. Are you asking why a USB4 drive may connect at 20Gbps? A USB 4 drive optionally comes in a 20Gbps flavor. You would need both a USB 4 drive and a USB 4 port on your computer to achieve that. However, If you connect a USB 3.2 2x2 drive (20Gbps) to a USB 4 port on a Mac it will only connect at 10Gbps.
This already stopped being the case with the new ASMedia USB4 chip. A few USB4 NVMe enclosures are already available and people are getting >3000MB/s sequential to their Macs, no Thunderbolt involved.
Maybe. Needs testing: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-at-full-speed-on-a-mac.2443940/post-33592799
Apple fixed the USB XHCI driver to support USB 3.2 gen 2x2 for Intel Macs running Sonoma and Sequoia. They probably did the same for Apple Silicon Macs. Therefore, you can probably get USB 3.2 gen 2x2 to work, one way or another. Either connect a USB 3.2 gen 2x2 XHCI controller using a Thunderbolt PCIe expansion chassis or connect a Thunderbolt 5 dock or hub (but this may require a Thunderbolt 3 device between the Apple Silicon Mac and the Thunderbolt 5 dock).