Use an old Mac mini as a USB hub for newer Mac mini?

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Use an old Mac mini as a USB hub for newer Mac mini?

I currently have a 2018 Mac mini (Big Sur), but also still have my old Mid-2011 Mac mini (High Sierra). Is it possible to connect the two, so I can access the 2011 mini's USB and SDXC card ports from the 2018 mini (I'm guessing via a Thunderbolt Bridge)? I currently have the two connected on my network via Ethernet, but I cannot access the 2011 ports from the 2018 (only the hard drive). It'll cost me $75+ to buy an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter and a 0.5m Apple Thunderbolt cable, which is too much to just roll the dice (but it's not too much for access to a 500GB hard drive, 4 USB ports and a card reader, all of which I could use).

Thanks!

Mac mini, macOS 10.13

Posted on Dec 29, 2020 10:41 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

den.thed

Level 10

93,232 points

Dec 29, 2020 12:39 PM in response to cjay2two

You can't really use it as a Hub with a TB to Mini DisplayPort connection.

You can however use the 2011 as a Media Server and/or File Server over your local network using Screen and File Sharing.

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/turn-screen-sharing-on-or-off-mh11848/10.15/mac/10.15

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-file-sharing-on-mac-mh17131/10.15/mac/10.15

FWIW I have a 2011 Mac Mini connect to an HDMI TV and Stereo, that I use as a Media Server and I control from my newer desktop Mac Mini.

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Answer 2

Dec 29, 2020 1:26 PM in response to cjay2two

If you need an SD card reader and extra USB ports just

get an inexpensive adapter like this which is only $25:

https://www.amazon.com/USB-Hub-Multiport-Adapter-Compatible/dp/B07RL5L8ZL/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=usb+c+hub&pd_rd_r=98788d84-54f4-417f-bb74-8ad45bd9e844&pd_rd_w=NKWBr&pd_rd_wg=hqYSC&pf_rd_p=0ec05f25-9534-48fe-9c3e-40b89957230e&pf_rd_r=7XSF4W1C5GE8EQWYEXBY&qid=1609277053&sr=8-4

A whole lot less hassle!

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Answer 3

cjay2two Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 30, 2020 6:59 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks for the reply. I actually do plan to use the 500GB hard drive on the 2011 as a Media Server.

However, I don't believe this is a "TB to Mini DisplayPort connection," as you mentioned. I believe this would be a TB3 to TB2 connection (I've attached the description from Apple), do you happen to know if this would make a difference (i.e. allow me to access the ports on the old mini)?

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?fnode=a15988ae2d862b7695c944dc005219e9107d6013dee423df382c7526d4ac12e009520c77fc49b056f4b309a0fb432a29d5d8a9dc8da4a722d20fceda1ea2eb2df4cf40e08d5d176496c77b407c27a75c610825c0b6bf174263a74b6c7d192bbb6d9255ec0dcf022ea31278b7d74a17e8

Thanks!

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Answer 4

cjay2two Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 30, 2020 7:30 AM in response to woodmeister50

Thanks for the reply! I do see your point. That said, I don't think it's a whole lot of hassle (and it would be worth an extra $50) if one cable can give me a 500GB hard drive (to use as a Media Server), 4 USB ports and an SDXC card reader.

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Answer 5

Dec 30, 2020 9:41 AM in response to cjay2two

cjay2two wrote:

Thanks for the reply! I do see your point. That said, I don't think it's a whole lot of hassle (and it would be worth an extra $50) if one cable can give me a 500GB hard drive (to use as a Media Server), 4 USB ports and an SDXC card reader.

You do realize that that HDD in the 2011 Mini is 9-10 years old

and for HDDs, it is at a point where it is living on borrowed

time. It is not a matter of if it will fail, but when.

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Answer 6

cjay2two Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 30, 2020 10:30 AM in response to woodmeister50

Yes, but that's okay - it's just a media server and everything on it is easily replaceable. Hopefully, it will buy me a year or two and my next mini will have the ports/card readers needed at that time.

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Use an old Mac mini as a USB hub for newer Mac mini?

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