hello, I would like to hook my USB 3 hub with 4 of my USB 3 hard drives to my iMac 2011.
I was hoping I could get a thunderbolt 1 to usb 3 adapter or firewire
Is this a possibility? can I do something like that?
iMac, macOS Sierra (10.12.3), 20GB of ram, 2.5ghz
Exactly what do you need to do? Unless you have eSata devices along with the cables there isn't much use for a TB to eSata adapter. If you need TB to USB, then there are probably better choices out there if you give a search on Amazon. Why would you need TB to USB adapters in the first place? Your iMac has no support for USB 3.0. It does support FW800 and TB.
Unfortunately, that's difficult outside of a Thunderbolt multi-drive box in which you install all the bare drives you have. Or buy an older box that runs FW800. I have a 2011 iMac to which I have attached the old Seagate Thunderbolt adapter sled back when they cost $99. I use it as the boot drive. It has an SSD installed. I use the USB ports for external backup where speed isn't relevant because backups are done in the background. Eventually, I gave in and bought a new iMac with USB 3.0 ports. Given the cost of Thunderbolt, it was cheaper.
Apple sells a Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adapter. For TB to USB see Amazon.com: usb to thunderbolt adapter.
what about this? (https://www.amazon.com/Kanex-Thunderbolt-eSATA-plus-Adapter/dp/B00LOLBBQQ)
do you think there is anything cheaper?
I am trying to connect my USB 3.0 hub to my iMac 2011 (through firewire 800 or thunderbolt 1) so I can get the speed the devices are designed for
thunderbolt 1 or firewire 800
