iMac w/2 Thunderbolt 2 USB-c connections - need to expand to 3 Thunderbolt 2 connections. Looking for a hub?

CraigMarek wrote:

I have a 2020 iMac 27" with Intel chip, 2 Thunderbolt 2 (USB-c connection) and 4 USB-3 connections. All are full so I need to expand.

As pointed out, those "Thunderbolt 2" ports are USB-C (USB, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3) ports. Thunderbolt 2 ports are found on older Macs and have Mini DisplayPort style connectors.

I have 2 SSDs - 1 for backup and 1 for Windows boot that are Thunderbolt 2 with USB-c connection

Do those SSDs use Thunderbolt, or do they use USB? In terms of what you need to do to add more ports, it could make a difference.

I have an external monitor with HDMI connector - tried using a HDMI to USB but that didn't work. So I have an HDMI to USB-c adapter, which works fine.

USB-A doesn't carry video.

In the current config, I am constantly swapping the external back-up for the Windows boot - not too onerous but a pain and sometime I forget ;)

I was thinking of a Thunderbolt 2 hub that I could connect to my iMac Thunderbolt 2 USB-c port, and it would have 3-ish USB-c Thunderbolt 2 ports, giving a little room to grow. I can't seem to find one that works in my configuration - tried 2 different ones and returned both.

One question that comes to mind is whether you are really looking for is

• More ports to attach Thunderbolt devices
• More ports to attach USB devices that use USB-C connectors

Thunderbolt has traditionally supported daisy chaining – but not splitting a single chain into several. It is only fairly recently that Thunderbolt 3/4 hubs and docks capable of splitting one chain into several have appeared.

2020 27" iMacs use Thunderbolt 3, NOT Thunderbolt 2. Please refer to iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) - Technical Specifications

Well having no idea of what you mean by "expand" it is difficult to answer your question. However there are many good options for Thunderbolt hubs including:

• OWC at www.macsales.com
• Anker (availalble directly from Anker or Amazon)
• Morphie (same availability as Anker)

Alll are reputable vendors with solid choices of products. You simply need to determine what your needs are, research which vendor has the best option for you and then move forward acquiring that product.