Thunderbolt 2 Adapter for MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)

So you're trying to connect to a HDMI display and a wired Ethernet network?

You could try using the Thunderbolt 2 port for your Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, and getting a new USB-A (USB 3.0) to Ethernet adapter. Say, something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Aluminum-Gigabit-Ethernet-Adapter/dp/B0898C73ZZ/ref=sr_1_1_ffob_sspa

There are several other similar adapters on Amazon, all in the $10 – $20 range. Just watch out for the ones that only connect via USB 2.0 (yes, there was one!).

USB-A does not support many of the protocols that USB-C can. USB-A and USB-C can both support

• USB data transfers using protocols ranging from USB 1.0 to USB 3.1 Gen 2.
• The delivery of small amounts of power (amount varies by USB version).

USB-C can also support

• USB data transfers at rates of "up to 20 Gbps" and higher. (Including USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which Macs do not support; and the new USB4 20 Gbps and USB4 40 Gbps transfer modes.)
• DisplayPort ALT mode
• Thunderbolt ALT mode
• USB Power Delivery

It's pretty easy to convert between USB-A and USB-C for the things that both support, but if you want to connect a USB-C hub that knows about Power Delivery, DisplayPort ALT mode, and/or Thunderbolt ALT mode to a USB-A host port that knows nothing about these things … well, there's a problem.

Halim_Rahman wrote:

I guess the simplest solution, get a USB -A to type C converter. like a small adapter. So i can use any type of USB C hub available. Instead of me trying to figure out thunderbolt adapter and so forth. If that make sence. Appreciate your helpful advise and comment.

A USB-C hub might be expecting things that your Mac's USB-A port can't provide:

• A DisplayPort ALT mode signal – to support the hub's HDMI port
• USB Power Delivery – to charge a Mac laptop from the hub's power supply, or to power the hub when it isn't getting power from its own supply

Unless you're trying for single-cable docking, the simplest solution may be:

• Existing Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, plugged into your Thunderbolt 2 (Mini DisplayPort) port.
• New USB-A (USB 3.0) to 10/100/1000 Ethernet adapter, plugged into one of your USB-A (USB 3.0) ports.

If you are trying for single-cable docking, I think you'll need to use the Thunderbolt 2 port, either in connection with a Thunderbolt 1/2 dock (only available on the used market), or a Thunderbolt 3/4 dock connected using a Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter. (Assuming that the dock has its own power and does not have a hard-wired TB3 cable for its connection to the computer.)

If you were doing "single-cable docking" using a TB3/4 dock connected by an adapter, you wouldn't be able to charge from the dock. The adapter won't carry power from one side to the other. So you'd actually have one cable for video and data, and another for power from your AC adapter.

First question, is the USB-C hub actually a Thunderbolt hub? What is the actual make and model?

If it is a USB-C "Thunderbolt compatible" hub, then it can only work if the computer has a Thunderbolt3 port as Thunderbolt3 requires that it can communicate via USB-C to devices that actually connect with the USB protocol. In this case, it cannot work with the Thunderbolt port and needs to be connected to a USB port, for which there are scads of adapters.

If it is in fact a true Thunderbolt3 or Thunderbolt4 hub/dock you have really no alternative but use the adapter connected to the hub and a short Thunderbolt2 cable.

Note that USB-C only defines a connector and not what its signaling capabilities are which can be pretty much anything from power delivery only to Thunderbolt4/USB4.

Halim_Rahman wrote:

I see. So, if I have a regular USB-C hub without Thunderbolt compatibility (assuming it doesn't mention Thunderbolt in the device description), it won't work.

First of all you should not be mentioning Thunderbolt with your USB-C hub unless you actually know it supports the Thunderbolt protocol. Keep in mind USB-C is a connector type...that is all it is and all it indicates.

The USB-C connector tells you nothing else about the capabilities of any supported communication protocols that device supports. Usually if you do not see a lightning bolt icon next to a USB-C port, then that port most likely only supports the USB protocol. However, some vendors are not good at marking their products (even Apple is guilty of this on their high end Mac Studio model...at least from the pictures I've seen).

Generally a USB-C port with a lightning bolt icon indicates that particular port supports the Thunderbolt protocol. If the USB-C port shows a trident symbol (or any other USB markings such as a speed rating & symbol), then that port only supports the USB protocol. If a USB-C port is unmarked, then assume it only supports the USB protocol....you can always check the product's documentation & user manual to confirm what protocols each USB-C port on a device supports....some may only support power even.

Keep in mind the older Thunderbolt 2 ports on your 2015 laptop only supports the Thunderbolt protocol so if the USB-C ports/connections on the hub only support USB protocol, then you cannot use it except perhaps if you connect the hub to a USB-A port on the laptop (depends on what this hub is & does).

Don't fret though, this whole USB classification system is known to be very confusing even when dealing with just the USB protocol.....it certainly doesn't help that the Thunderbolt protocol was added into an already very confusing mix. I really wish they would have given the USB-C connector a different name to help minimize some confusion for people. This is why everyone here is asking for the exact make & model of the USB-C hub you have so we can tell you the options available and whether what you want is even possible with it. I doubt this USB-C hub is of any use to your 2015 laptop.

You still have not told us the make and model of the hub you already have!