Mac mini (Late 2014) Thunderbolt ports
I would like to connect a high capacity drive with a USB-C cable to the Thunderbolt 2 port directly or through an adaptor/adaptor cable. Any recommendations?
Mac mini, macOS 12.3
📢 Newsroom Update
Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max. Learn more >
Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max. Learn more >
I would like to connect a high capacity drive with a USB-C cable to the Thunderbolt 2 port directly or through an adaptor/adaptor cable. Any recommendations?
Mac mini, macOS 12.3
I am not trying to replace my internal drive, this is to replace an external drive. The drive I bought is a 4 TB Crucial X6 portable SSD. It will replace my 1 TB Toshiba which works fine but it is running out of room as a Time Machine backup disk. The new drive is described as follows: "Crucial X6 4TB Portable SSD – Up to 800MB/s – USB 3.2 – External Solid State Drive, USB-C - CT4000X6SSD9". It comes with a short cable with USB-C terminals at both ends.
Note that the new drive is not powered externally, I assume the USB-C connection provides the power.
Thank you for your help!
I am not trying to replace my internal drive, this is to replace an external drive. The drive I bought is a 4 TB Crucial X6 portable SSD. It will replace my 1 TB Toshiba which works fine but it is running out of room as a Time Machine backup disk. The new drive is described as follows: "Crucial X6 4TB Portable SSD – Up to 800MB/s – USB 3.2 – External Solid State Drive, USB-C - CT4000X6SSD9". It comes with a short cable with USB-C terminals at both ends.
Note that the new drive is not powered externally, I assume the USB-C connection provides the power.
Thank you for your help!
That will not work for bus powered USB-C drives. You’re best bet for an external boot drive, is to just get and use a USB-A 3.0 SATA SSD. FWIW a 3.0 SATA SSD will give you around 500 MB/s which is around 7 or 8 times faster than your 2014 Mac Mini’s slow 5400rpm internal drive.
You can not connect that drive to your 2014 Mac Mini’s Thunderbolt port.
If it also came with a USB-C to USB-A cable the you will need to use that cable.
If not, them you will need to try a female USB-C to Male USB-A adapter.
for example > https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-USB-C-USB-Adapter-CTUSBCFUSBAMAD/dp/B08FSDMVNP/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_sccl_1/144-3340786-9915212?
or > https://www.amazon.com/Satechi-Type-Type-C-Adapter-Converter/dp/B07KCL8WZK/ref=asc_df_B07KCL8WZK/?
The Thunderbolt2 port on your Mini does not support USB in any form, unlike the later USB-C Thunderbolt based Macs.
Mac mini (Late 2014) Thunderbolt ports