M4 Pro Mac Mini cables and adaptors?

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J2011 Author

Level 1

13 points

M4 Pro Mac Mini cables and adaptors?

Hi folks, I've just upgraded my late 2013 iMac to the new M4 Pro Mini and was wondering... I have a lot of stuff that used normal USB connections like my M-Audio Controllor... just wondering is there a specific type of USB to USB-C convertor I need or should any do?

Also, I have a Lacie 2 Big hard drive which uses the 2013 style Thunderbolt cable... what would be the best cable to use with this now that the Mini has USB C style Thunderbolt ports?... is it just a Thunderbolt to USB-C cable I need or something more specific?

Thanks

J

Mac mini (M4)

Posted on Nov 23, 2024 12:14 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

82,564 points

Nov 23, 2024 5:27 PM in response to J2011

You would need a Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter.

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple

FWIW The USB 3.0 connection is plenty fast enough for the Drives in that LaCie enclosure.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,114 points

Nov 23, 2024 2:26 PM in response to J2011

Honestly I have no idea what you can do to use the LaCie. Perhaps someone else knows that. Another option is to just call AppleCare and see if they have some thoughts on what you need.

AppleCare Contact Info

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Answer 3

Nov 23, 2024 7:08 PM in response to J2011

There are lots of ways to convert between USB-C (USB) and USB-A (USB). Adapters like the Apple one (that takes up one USB-C port to give you one USB-A port), simple USB-A hubs that plug into a USB-C port, or fancier USB-C and Thunderbolt hubs and docks.

Note that some adapters only support USB 2.0 data rates, and some "charging" cables might not support USB data transfer at all.

To connect Thunderbolt 1 & 2 hardware, there is the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter.

The Apple adapter only translates Thunderbolt, and does not carry bus power from one side to another. So it is not appropriate for connecting a Mini DisplayPort display to a modern Mac, or a bus-powered Thunderbolt 3 SSD to an old Mac. Assuming that your drives have Thunderbolt 1 or 2 interfaces and their own power source, this sounds like the adapter you would need.

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,114 points

Nov 23, 2024 12:43 PM in response to J2011

Amazon sells USB A to USB adapters. A two pack is under $10, for example:

Simply plug them in and off you go. There is nothing else to do. As far as the Lacie, if it is one 5 years old I would seriously recommend recycling it and buying its replacement. To get something MUCH more up-to-date, that is wicked fast and that doesn't consume so much desk space consider the https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-envoy-ultra

[Edited by Moderator]

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Answer 5

J2011 Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 23, 2024 1:16 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks, yeah it's this one I own

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LaCie-Thunderbolt-Professional-Dual-Disk-Desktop/dp/B00KYFU5YM

I plan on eventually upgrading but at the moment need to stick to this for some storage and file retrieval... so just wondering do I just buy a Thunderbolt 2 to USB C cable or is it a special Thunderbolt 2 to like Thunderbolt 4 or something? I'm not sure what to buy... it can connect via USB 3 too but that would be slower? Thanks

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Answer 6

Nov 23, 2024 5:14 PM in response to J2011

Re: your LaCie 2Big... Apple has this which I'm sure would work:

Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter – Amazon.co.uk

I'm sure you can find similar in other brands. Make sure it's Thunderbolt spec at both ends.

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Answer 7

Nov 23, 2024 7:12 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

D.I. Johnson wrote:

Re: your LaCie 2Big... Apple has this which I'm sure would work:

Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter – Amazon.co.uk

I'm sure you can find similar in other brands. Make sure it's Thunderbolt spec at both ends.

There is a StarTech one – but it's more than twice the price of the Apple one, has all of the same limitations as the Apple one, and os unidirectional. (The Apple adapter will let you connect a Thunderbolt 3 dock with its own power supply to an old Mac; the StarTech one won't let you do that.)

StarTech – Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Windows/Mac

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