My macbookpro 2015 has x thunderbolt 1 ports. I'd like to use one of them for a faster back up drive but can't find any drives with that connection

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My macbookpro 2015 has x thunderbolt 1 ports. I'd like to use one of them for a faster back up drive but can't find any drives with that connection

Good morning. I'm wondering what the best use for the Thunderbolt 1 ports on my macbook pro 2015 might be. I use the USB 3 for an ethernet adapter the USB 2 for an external data drives and the HDMI to work online via a smart TV. I'd like to attach a fast backup drive to the Thunderbolt 1 port but can't find any compatible drives online.

MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Mar 9, 2021 10:50 PM

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Answer 1

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kaz-k

Level 9

50,232 points

Mar 9, 2021 11:16 PM in response to Sago48

Hi,

As far as I know, 2015 MacBook Pro has two Thunderbolt2 ports. You can find external drive which has Thunderbolt2 port at OWC like following.

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Thunderbolt/External-Drive/OWC/Elite-Dual-RAID

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Answer 2

Sago48 Author

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Mar 10, 2021 1:13 AM in response to kaz-k

You're right it's Thunderbolt 2. And thanks for the link. I realised I've been also thinking about backup for my older mac mini which has Thunderbolt 1, and got mixed up. The mini also has Firewire 800, USB 3, and HDMI. So can I ask the same question - this time for my mac mini 6,1? Thanks.

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Answer 3

kaz-k

Level 9

50,232 points

Mar 10, 2021 4:34 AM in response to Sago48

Hi,

FireWire800 drive is still available which much faster than USB2.0 and almost same speed with Thunderbolt ports your Mac mini has, Firewire800, USB2.0, and Thunderbolt.

https://www.amazon.com/Fantom-Drives-External-Hard-Drive/dp/B00BTCWZWE/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=firewire+800+external+hdd&qid=1615378973&s=computers-intl-ship&sr=1-1

I think bottleneck is drive speed. If you want to have faster external drive, I recommend to get SSD external drive.

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My macbookpro 2015 has x thunderbolt 1 ports. I'd like to use one of them for a faster back up drive but can't find any drives with that connection

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