Macbook Pro 2011 Thunderbolt to dock with HDMI Out?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Macbook Pro 2011 Thunderbolt to dock with HDMI Out?

Hi guys,

this is my first post here. I've extensive search for answers to my issue, but couldn't really get a clear idea.

I have a Macbook Pro 2011 which I am using for music production (Thunderbolt, 2 USB's, Ethernet connections).

My issue is that I don't want to have cables for Ethernet (connected directly to my NAS with all my samples), USB devices (MIDI controllers) and Thunderbolt out (to my amp's HDMI) clogging my desk space and I thought that the ideal setup would be:

To have some sort of dock station that I would get connected to my macbook through the thunderbolt connection so I can get audio/video out.

This dock station would accept Ethernet in (my NAS), USB's in (my MIDI controllers) and have an HDMI out, which would connect to my amplifier.

The amplifier has a HDMI out that I would send audio/video to my 50'' LED TV.

I have it all working fine, but with the less than ideal setup of my macbook pro directly connected to ethernet, USB dock (with 5 USB's in) and thunderbolt (out to amp), so that makes the left side of my macbook really busy with 3 cables which I don't really appreciate...

Any suggestions?

Please see the attached diagram.

many thanks!

Jorge

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jul 13, 2020 7:44 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 13, 2020 8:30 AM in response to Intrepidhead

a Dock like this one would work great... unfortunately, it was too expensive for most folks and is no longer available as new:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Thunderbolt/Dock/OWC/Thunderbolt2-Dock

this one is even pricier and availability is questionable:

https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/Laptop-docking-stations/thunderbolt-2-laptop-dock~TB2DOCK4K2DP

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Answer 2

Jul 13, 2020 2:29 PM in response to Intrepidhead

Just make sure the dock is TB or TB2, not TB3.

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Answer 3

Jul 13, 2020 8:03 AM in response to Intrepidhead

You don't have power on your diagram, of course. One nice thing about the newer Macs with Thunderbolt 3 ports is that covers power, too. So with my docking station I just connect one plug to my Mac and I get power, wired ethernet, and two external monitors.

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Answer 4

Jul 13, 2020 8:07 AM in response to Intrepidhead

Older Macs work quite well. I only just got around to replacing my 2011 17" MBP (with a new 16" MBP). The 2011 MBP is stuck with 10.13 High Sierra, but runs fine and will be handed down to one of my kids.

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Answer 5

Intrepidhead Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 13, 2020 2:01 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for the suggestions, I wish they were cheaper... I will use these examples to try and get the cheapest possible... again, I have my system working, its just the amount of cables plugged on the left side of my MacBook Pro that I want to reduce to a bare minimum...

best

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Answer 6

Jul 13, 2020 7:52 AM in response to Intrepidhead

You need something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Thunderbolt-Compatible-Technology-Separately/dp/B00BQHD4B8

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Answer 7

Intrepidhead Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 13, 2020 8:04 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Exactly... but I am stuck with this old macbook for now, I'm afraid I spend too much money on synths :-)

Stay well!

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Answer 8

Jul 13, 2020 8:29 AM in response to Intrepidhead

My two older girls have their own 2019 13" MBAs, and my wife has a new 2020 13" MBP. My youngest has an iPad Pro but I want him to learn to type on a real keyboard, thus the 2011 MBP hand-down.

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