Thunderbolt cable

Question

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

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,296 points

Mar 9, 2011 9:48 AM in response to Tom Johnson

Whenever Apple and Intel decide to make it available. This is just a user to user forum. Please read the Terms of Use on the right regarding speculation, and new products.

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Answer 2

Tom Johnson Author

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779 points

Mar 9, 2011 1:24 PM in response to a brody

I am well aware of this Forum's usage caveats.
I was expecting someone, ie Beta testers, who already have this cable and have used it for Target Disk Mode file transfers to provide manufacturer information so that the rest of us could order one.

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Answer 3

Mar 9, 2011 1:38 PM in response to Tom Johnson

Most of the time beta testers are under non-disclosure agreements and can't comment on such developments prior to an official announcement.

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Answer 4

a brody

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Mar 9, 2011 1:39 PM in response to Tom Johnson

Beta testers are under nondisclosure statements. Your expectations are unrealistic.

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Answer 5

Tom Johnson Author

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779 points

Mar 9, 2011 1:46 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

OK but the MBP with this feature is now available for purchase.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/03/09/reviewapples_early_2011_thunderbolt_macbookpros.html&page=2
http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=11623

Message was edited by: Tom Johnson

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Answer 6

LukeD

Level 4

3,153 points

Mar 9, 2011 1:46 PM in response to Tom Johnson

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. One would have thought that Apple would have also released new Cinema displays to take advantage of the new technology too.

Right now, that Thunderbolt port is very lonely!

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Answer 7

a brody

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Mar 9, 2011 1:45 PM in response to Tom Johnson

Have you seen any cables available now?

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Answer 8

Tom Johnson Author

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Mar 9, 2011 1:47 PM in response to a brody

Yes.
http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=11623

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Answer 9

LukeD

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Mar 9, 2011 1:48 PM in response to Tom Johnson

Not available until Summer 2011.

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Answer 10

a brody

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Mar 9, 2011 1:52 PM in response to LukeD

Come back in September.

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Answer 11

LukeD

Level 4

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Mar 9, 2011 1:56 PM in response to a brody

Very true.

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Answer 12

Mar 9, 2011 2:54 PM in response to a brody

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?cid=102&cp_id=10246&cs_id=1024602&pid=5990&seq=1&format=2

I've ordered one but have yet to test it out.

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Answer 13

Tom Johnson Author

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779 points

Mar 9, 2011 3:08 PM in response to ClimbrJohn

Thanks for the info that I was looking for.
Please advise on the test results especially for TB to TB Target Disk Mode file transfer.
I have multiple classrooms that need the 50 GB Final Cut Studio update.
Just loading the 5 DVDs on a iMac takes 2 HR 30 Min.
Using a FW 800 HD .img transfer takes 25 MIN.
Using a 120 GB SSD .img transfer takes 12 MIN.
I do not have a Server install option available and Remote Desktop takes up too much bandwidth so I am stuck with loading each iMac individually via Target Disk Mode.

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Answer 14

jb510

Level 1

4 points

Mar 9, 2011 9:34 PM in response to ClimbrJohn

ClimbrJohn wrote:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?cid=102&cp_id=10246&cs_id=1024602&pid=5990&seq=1&format=2

I've ordered one but have yet to test it out.

It's all very confusing so I can't be certain, but I thought TB cables were going to be different than MDP cables...

Tom Johnson wrote:
Yes.
http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=11623

If you look at the specs it doesn't mention a TB cable (or MDP) cable is included in the box.

I've got to agree with other that:
#1 Apple should have released a TB to TB cable with the MBP
#2 Apple should have also released SOME kind of hub/dock for at least USB 3.
#3 Apple should have also released new Apple Cinema Displays with USB 3 ports built in

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Answer 15

a brody

Level 10

85,296 points

Mar 10, 2011 5:16 AM in response to jb510

What it should have done, versus what it could have done is tough matter. We can't really guess Apple's policy here, as terms of use on the right forbid us from doing that. But what it has done is obviously release the capability for a newer technology before that newer technology was fully implemented.

At least unlike with the first iMac, the technology was not important for using basic peripherals from the beginning, and simply will enhance access to peripherals that are typically used when the peripherals get caught up with the technology. With the first iMac, it introduced USB and dropped all access to older peripheral technology in a consumer Mac. USB took awhile to catch up, but it then did shortly thereafter. We'll see what test results come from these cables.

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