Level 3

779 points

Thunderbolt cable

When is a Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable for the Mac Book Pro going to be available for Target Disk Mode file transfers ?

Mac Pro 3.2GHz DualQuad 16Gig, iMac 27" Quad 2.8GHz 8Gig, MBAir 13" 1.86GHz 2Gig, Mac OS X (10.6.5), Apple Cinema - 30"/23"/20"

Posted on Mar 9, 2011 8:58 AM

49 replies

carl wolf

Level 6

14,631 points

Mar 10, 2011 5:48 AM in response to Tom Johnson

"but I thought TB cables were going to be different than MDP cables..."

Why?

Fablloyd

Level 1

0 points

Mar 25, 2011 10:01 PM in response to a brody

So... not to be too dense, but what the heck am I supposed to do with this bright and shiny new Thunderblot port?

Network 23

Level 6

12,351 points

Mar 25, 2011 10:37 PM in response to LukeD

LukeD wrote:
In fairness to Tom, I will say that it is very odd that Apple has not released a cable for Thunderbolt Target Disk Mode yet.

Apple is not likely to be especially concerned about Target Disk Mode right now. You can see it in the Macs that have no FireWire port at all, and also, the new MacBook Pros still have a FireWire 800 port. So users who are in a situation where they absolutely need Target Disk Mode (and that situation is pretty rare, as are the users who are actually aware that it even exists) can use a quite readily available FireWire cable. Don't get me wrong...I use TDM...but I find a lot of Mac users reflexively run to it when simpler and sometimes faster transfer alternatives exist. We just don't need TDM as much as we did 10 years ago.

Thunderbolt Target Disk Mode won't really come in handy until the drives and the drive interfaces get into a position to take advantage of Thunderbolt bandwidth and the FireWire ports disappear. Even then Thunderbolt Target Disk Mode will be of limited use until monitors start coming with pass-through daisy chain ports, because if an external DisplayPort monitor is sitting at the end of the chain and you want to plug in a drive, you need to disconnect the monitor.

iFrodo

Level 1

45 points

Apr 9, 2011 2:31 PM in response to carl wolf

Because they are different. Mini-DP cable only transport DisplayPort signal and is unable to transport the full multiplexed Thunderbolt signal.

You'd need a real Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable to use Target Disk Drive with Thunderbolt. Also for now none is available.

Tom Johnson Author

Level 3

779 points

Apr 30, 2011 3:00 PM in response to iFrodo

I just received a TB to TB cable from MonoPrice.com, their PID 5990 for $3.72.

I tried it with my new MBP with a TB port and my new MBA without a TB port.

In TDM startup the new MBP shows both the FW and TB icons on its DT but the MBP icon does not appear on the MBA DT so no files can be transferred from MBP to MBA.

I will be buying the new May release ? iMac if it has the TB port and see if I can transfer files from TB computer to TB computer.

It would be nice if Apple provided a Firmware update to permit TB to non-TB computer file transfers.

I'll submit this request via the Feedback page.

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Apr 30, 2011 4:35 PM in response to Tom Johnson

Tom: The cable you bought isn't a Thunderbolt cable and doesn't pretend to be one, so it won't work for TB-TB target disk mode when you get another TB-equipped Mac. You're going to need a real TB cable for that.

While you're waiting, if you can install the FCP upgrade in 12 minutes from a FW800-connected external SSD, I suggest you get started doing so. Unless you're installing it onto internal SSDs in the Macs in question, nothing is likely to cut that time by much. The older processors and conventional hard drives on the receiving end of the transfer will throttle the speed of the installation considerably, even if the data can be moved from machine to machine faster.

And anyway, how would you use TB Target Disk Mode with your labs full of old iMacs even if a TB-TB cable were available?

Tom Johnson Author

Level 3

779 points

Apr 30, 2011 6:16 PM in response to eww

Via Apple Feedback I recommended a Firmware update permitting TB to non-TB TDM computer file transfers.

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

May 1, 2011 5:25 AM in response to Tom Johnson

A firmware update can't make any of the ports on a non-Thunderbolt Mac transmit or receive data at Thunderbolt speed; the hardware isn't there to support that. You're going to have to address your present problem without the aid of Thunderbolt.

Tom Johnson Author

Level 3

779 points

May 1, 2011 9:30 AM in response to eww

I understand that the fiber optic speed advantage will not be available to non TB computers but we have been overclocking the CPUs successfully as long as the CPU does not over temp.

Can the Firewire processor be overclocked ?

If so then this is what we need.

Tom Johnson Author

Level 3

779 points

May 1, 2011 5:41 PM in response to Tom Johnson

Just look at the increasing speed throughput that has been realized going from USB 1.0 (12 Mb/Sec) to 2.0 (40Mb/Sec) to 3.0 (100 Mb/Sec).

The question is -- can Firewire 400/800 Mb/Sec speed be increased any further ???

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

May 2, 2011 5:04 AM in response to Tom Johnson

Just look at the increasing speed throughput that has been realized going from USB 1.0 (12 Mb/Sec) to 2.0 (40Mb/Sec) to 3.0 (100 Mb/Sec).

All accomplished through hardware changes — not firmware.

The question is -- can Firewire 400/800 Mb/Sec speed be increased any further ???

Yes, FireWire 3200 has been developed, but not released. Again, it is made possible by hardware changes.

May 3, 2011 2:24 PM in response to Network 23

I bought a MBP last Month with Thunderbolt and I also own an iMac which needs to be replaced. Both Macs have exactly the same stuff and Accounts.

Now I could buy an i Mac with Thunderbolt and get it working in a short time if only I could find a TB2TB cable.

I will wait but I believe Apple whould be more happy to sell it before (and me too).

May 15, 2011 4:00 PM in response to Tom Johnson

Patience is a virtue. Tom, since the cable is only about $5, and since you have a very real need, you might want to go ahead and buy one, and let us know how it works 🙂

Personally, I'm waiting for the new MacBook Airs with thunderbolt, which should probably be available in June. Then I'll get the new iMac as well, and connect up the MBA to the iMac when I'm at home, using target disk mode.

For me, this will be the perfect mobile solution (I'm a photographer)

May 15, 2011 11:45 PM in response to LeftCoastMichael

MAKE YOUR OWN TB CABLE ???

Since TB has same connection as MiniDisplayPort I am guessing what will happen if I buy 2 MDP cables, cut them in the middle and solder each cable to the same one.

Will it be so easy ?

May 16, 2011 1:32 AM in response to WALTER-MILANO-ITALY

I'm afraid I don't understand why anyone is in that big of a hurry.

I would fear that cobbling together something like that could damage something. Personally, I wouldn't try it. If you do, by all means let us know how it turns out.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Thunderbolt cable