adapter or cable?

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Level 1

14 points

adapter or cable?

I am considering upgrading my late 2015 iMac 27" to an Apple-refurbished 2020 27" iMac. Problem: my concern is with the 2020 model: it has 2 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and 4 USB A ports. The 2015 model has 2 Thunderbolt 2 ports and 4 USB A ports.

Currently, on the back of the 2015 model, connected to one of the Thunderbolt 2 ports, is a Western Digital 2TB external HD that uses the Firewire 800 cable that came with it in conjunction with a Thunderbolt 2 to Firewire 800 adapter - and it works just fine.

However, if I purchase this 2020 model iMac, and want to use the Western Digital 2TB external HD, I will need to find either a Firewire 800 to Thunderbolt 3 cable or a Firewire 800 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter...easier said than done. So far, all I can find is a work-around: get a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter or use one of the USB a ports (and take a huge hit in performance while backing up). Suggestions?

Posted on Dec 22, 2021 4:45 AM

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Answer 1

Alan Blair Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 22, 2021 7:19 AM in response to Keith Barkley

First: the drive in my current enclosure is a 2TB Western Digital SATA 3.5" drive. I did some digging and found an enclosure that would take this drive: Novus USB-C Rugged 3.5" External HD Enclosure that will take my SATA 3.5" drive. It comes with 2 cables: USB-C male - USB A male and USB-C male - USB - C male. I think that would work. However, I will check your link out.

Update: I will root around owc.com because the system portrayed is some serious overkill for me. But thanks for the link. Thanks, alan

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

82,186 points

Dec 22, 2021 7:21 AM in response to Alan Blair

What model in that WD 2T external drive?

If the USB port on the external drive is USB 2.0, then it will only be slightly slower than FireWire 800.

If the USB port on the external drive is USB 3.0, then it will actually be faster than FireWire 800.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

82,186 points

Dec 22, 2021 8:53 AM in response to Alan Blair

It is FireWire and USB 2.0

Your best bet is to put your resources into a newer, faster and more reliable external drive. Then just use that WD on USB 2.0 for Time Machine backups or other storage that does not require fast transfer speeds.

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Answer 4

Dec 22, 2021 6:20 AM in response to Alan Blair

OWC has some, just make sure it is compatible with your drive:

https://www.owcdigital.com/products/thunderbay-4-thunderbolt-3

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Answer 5

hcsitas

Level 6

12,758 points

Dec 22, 2021 5:33 AM in response to Alan Blair

Why not retire it and replace with new? I can recommend Toshiba. Good luck!

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Answer 6

Dec 22, 2021 5:59 AM in response to Alan Blair

Another option is to get a TB3 enclosure and transfer the drive to it.

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Answer 7

Alan Blair Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 22, 2021 6:16 AM in response to hcsitas

I am retiring a 2009 iMac 24" and replacing it with the 2020 iMac.

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Answer 8

Alan Blair Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 22, 2021 6:17 AM in response to Keith Barkley

What is a TB3 enclosure?..Thunderbolt 3 enclosure? Where would I find something like that?..the evil empire? (Amazon)

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Answer 9

hcsitas

Level 6

12,758 points

Dec 22, 2021 7:18 AM in response to Alan Blair

Just hook up the new external disk to the old machine, copy old disk to new and connect it to the new machine. Easy peasy.

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Answer 10

Alan Blair Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 22, 2021 8:12 AM in response to den.thed

Model# WDBC3G0020HAL-00

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Answer 11

Alan Blair Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 22, 2021 8:21 AM in response to hcsitas

I would probably do that if I was not purchasing just the enclosure and inserting the WD 2TB SATA disk in it. I do intend on using Apple's Migration utility when I get the ne (to me) iMac, though.

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adapter or cable?

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