You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility

Is my Apple MacBook Air w/ Thunderbolt 2 compatible with a docking station with thunderbolt 3?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 24, 2020 9:58 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 24, 2020 12:26 PM

Be mindful any such technology change will be the slowest speed of the chain. And usually compatibility is downstream. You can connect Thunderbolt 2 devices to 3 machines, but usually not vice versa. To add to the complexity:


USB-C & Thunderbolt 3 are very similar. The cable used for them is identical visually, but the power cable provided with Apple's notebook power bricks are for power only, not data transfer.


Thunderbolt 2 & mini-Displayport look similar but are not. Any devices from pre-mid 2011 is likely to be display only, and no data.


I agree, consult with the manufacturer, and know the vintage of your computer. The power of the computer's ports may be insufficient to power devices, and hubs and docking stations with their own wall power source are more likely to work than ones without.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 24, 2020 12:26 PM in response to Maquiroz92

Be mindful any such technology change will be the slowest speed of the chain. And usually compatibility is downstream. You can connect Thunderbolt 2 devices to 3 machines, but usually not vice versa. To add to the complexity:


USB-C & Thunderbolt 3 are very similar. The cable used for them is identical visually, but the power cable provided with Apple's notebook power bricks are for power only, not data transfer.


Thunderbolt 2 & mini-Displayport look similar but are not. Any devices from pre-mid 2011 is likely to be display only, and no data.


I agree, consult with the manufacturer, and know the vintage of your computer. The power of the computer's ports may be insufficient to power devices, and hubs and docking stations with their own wall power source are more likely to work than ones without.

Jul 24, 2020 12:12 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the message. I haven't purchased a docking station yet. I want to make sure it works with the following; my apple macbook air 13" 2017 model ( Thunderbolt 2 and a USB port). ALso works with a Dell pc with USBc, a USB port and HDMI port


I saw a docking station with Thunderbolt 3, USBc and plenty of USB ports...and I was hoping I could use it.

Thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.