Can I connect my iMac (Late 2015) to a Lacie Rugged Raid Pro USB-C Drive with this adapter and a thunderbolt 2 cable via thunderbolt port? It does successfully connect via USB 3.0 but want to connect via Thunderbolt.

I copied and pasted from the support site. I will admit limited knowledge of Thunderbolt/USB C standards and whatnot. I will say upon reading quickly something about the port being USB C 3.1 Gen 1. No idea if that matters.

Cables and Connectors

USB-C protocols

USB is a serial input/output technology for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. USB-C is the latest implementation of this standard and it provides higher bandwidth and new power management features.

USB-C supports many protocols:

Thunderbolt 3 transfer rates up to 40Gb/s

USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 transfer rates up to 10Gb/s

USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 transfer rates up to 5Gb/s

SuperSpeed USB 3.0 transfer rates up to 5Gb/s

Hi-Speed USB 2.0 transfer rates up to 480Mb/s

The USB-C port on the LaCie Rugged RAID Pro is USB 3.1 Gen 1.

You can connect your Rugged RAID Pro to any USB-C or USB Type A port but transfer rates vary.

See below for more details.

Cables

Your LaCie hard drive is shipped with two cables for universal compatibility with modern computers.

USB-C to USB-C cable

For optimal transfer rates, use the USB-C to USB-C cable to connect your computer to the USB 3.1 Gen 1 port on LaCie Rugged RAID Pro.

I am now trying to find where it states that its Thunderbolt 3 and having difficulty. I assure you that it specifically says Thunderbolt 3 on the side of the box as it was certainly the main reason for purchasing.

I believe you. I appreciate your input. Can I ask you to elaborate on why it's not a Thunderbolt 3 drive? Perhaps I am misreading what you are saying, but from what I can tell, you are telling me that the fact that is says Thunderbolt 3 is misleading? I understand that there would be an icon on the drive, or now I do, but there was no way to know that by looking at the box.

I don't understand exactly what the difference here. The box says it works with Thunderbolt 3. I understand that upon further research, this drive won't work because it does not in fact work with Thunderbolt 3 or the adapter/combination is not the same as an actual Thunderbolt 3 port. This doesn't follow logically.

Feel free, if you wish, to tell me how I am being dense, because it's just not resonating. I totally accept that the line that you said is relevant demonstrates that it's not Thunderbolt 3. That seems like a technical certainty at this point. I just need to understand why I should have read that information on the side of the box and not thought that it would work with a Thunderbolt 3 port.

I take it you are saying all Thunderbolt 3 is USB-C, but not all USB-C is Thunderbolt 3. But I don't see where I went wrong believing that this drive would work based on its packaging? I know my issue at the moment is with LaCie and I plan on going down that path. I would just love to better understand going forward.

Would this drive work with a different imac? Like a newer one that doesn't need the adapter or cable? Or is this drive essentially worthless in terms of a higher speed connection from my standpoint?

Again, I hope it does not sound like I have any ill-will towards you. I am just frustrated and want to know that if I took the plunge and purchased a new machine, would it solve the issue. Thanks. I really do appreciate your help and my frustrations aren't at you at all. LaCie is on my list.

Cheers,

-e

I appreciate the reply, but isn't USB 3.0 only 5 Gb/s and Thunderbolt2 20 Gb/s?

Off the side of the box of the drive:

Compatibility:

Works With USB 3.0, USB-C, Thunderbolt 3

Malcom, thanks for the time and patience. I appreciate it.