2023 Mac Mini M2 Thunderbolt 4 and USB A ports - CONFUSION?!

Cobalt19 wrote:

I bought the 2023 Mac Mini M2 in Spring and it has 2 x Thunderbolt 4 ports and 2 x USB A ports. I have read the Tech Spec list and a few Apple Discussion Q&A's plus a few Apple info pages and I still cannot get a clear answer, so I am hoping you can help me...

Q1. Firstly, are the two Thunderbolt Ports both Thunderbolt 4?

Yes, two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the Mac mini M2.

Q2. Secondly, are the two USB A ports operating on the same data transfer speed, and if not how am I supposed to know which one does what speed?

Yes, both USB-A ports operate at the same data transfer speed, up to 5Gb/s using the USB 3.1 protocol.

Q3. Lastly, how do I connect an USB 2.0 audio-interface to this particular Mac Mini so I can get the best data transfer speeds - i.e. to which Mac Mini port and using what type of connector cable (and adapter if necessary)?

If your USB audio interface has the USB-A type plug cable, connect that to a USB-A port. Alternatively, you can buy a USB-A to USB-C adapter plug or cable and use a Thunderbolt port on the mini. These are readily available. Google it.

Thank you for your help in advance.

You're welcome.

It’s your audio interface that determines the connection speed, not the port you plug it into. USB 2.0 is restricted to 480 mbps no matter which port you plug it into. All the USB -A USB-C ports are backwards compatible with previous USB but your interface are will only connect at 2.0 speed, nothing faster.

So to repeat, your audio interface will connect at USB 2.0 speed (480mbps) no matter which port you plug it into.

Does that clarify things?

You're welcome.

Your USB 2.0 audio interface cannot take advantage of the speed bump provided by the Thunderbolt ports, therefore you can simply use either of the USB-A ports. Keep the Thunderbolt ports available for any newer devices that can take advantage of the speed increase.

Cobalt19 wrote:

...

May I ask a follow-on question? If I wanted to have say four Thunderbolt connected devices on this two-Thunderbolt port Mac mini, which is a good Thunderbolt 4 replicator adapter or hub (i..e. one T4 connecting to four T4s)?

Perhaps something like this OWC Thunderbolt Hub from owc/macsales. If you search you'll find many brands and models, lots of it is just cheap garbage. Many users here will comfortably recommend owc/macsales as a vender because they have been good to the Mac community for quite a few years. I'm unaffiliated but satisfied with them.

Bear in mind that Thunderbolt hubs and docks are more expensive than the old USB-A type docks simply because they are technically more advanced, providing higher power pass through and greater features.

Cobalt19 wrote:

Q1. Firstly, are the two Thunderbolt Ports both Thunderbolt 4?

As far as I know, Yes.

Q2. Secondly, are the two USB A ports operating on the same data transfer speed, and if not how am I supposed to know which one does what speed?

Apple specifies "Two USB-A ports (up to 5Gb/s)." So, at most USB 3.0 speed out of either one. I do not know if each is on its own USB bus, or if they share a USB hub internally. (Although you might be able to figure it out by looking at the USB section of the System Information application's display.)

Q3. Lastly, how do I connect an USB 2.0 audio-interface to this particular Mac Mini so I can get the best data transfer speeds - i.e. to which Mac Mini port and using what type of connector cable (and adapter if necessary)?

You could connect it to one of the USB-A ports. Or to one of the USB4 / Thunderbolt 4 ports – with the aid of a USB-C to USB-A adapter, USB-C dock, or Thunderbolt dock.

It won't matter in terms of transfer speeds. USB 2.0 has a nominal transfer rate of 480 Mbps (0.480 Gbps); less than 1/10th of the transfer rate of those USB-A (USB 3.0) ports. Connecting your device to a USB-C port which supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 transfer speeds won't change that.

In either case, your Mac mini will be forced to use USB 2.0 speed to talk to the USB 2.0 device.

See Mac mini - Technical Specifications - Apple

Oops … just saw that I accidentally responded to a question that was already answered.