Connectivity Thunderbolt 2 to USB 3.1

Question

Connectivity Thunderbolt 2 to USB 3.1

I have a Late 2014 Mac Mini, 3.0ghz, 16mb RAM, 1 TB Fusion drive running OS 10.13.6 with 3 USB 3.0 ports and 2 Thunderbolt 2 ports. I asked several days ago if there was a way to connect from Thunderbolt 2 to USB3.1 (USB-3 connector) and one helpful gentleman suggested I get an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 which Apple says is bi-directional. I purchased the item on-line but I didn't do my homework. and I discovered I still needed a thunderbolt cable to connect to the Thunderbolt 2 port on my mini. Got a Thunderbolt Cable (2M) and was assured that it was what I needed. Connected Mini to Adapter with Thunderbolt (2M) cable and the adapter to the Portable SSD. Absolutely nothing happened. System showed nothing connected to the Thunderbolt 2 port. If i Connect the USB-A to USB-C (provided) the drive works fine abeit at the max USB3.0 output. My question is, are the mini display plugs identical to the Thunderbolt 2 plugs as Apple suggests? If so why make a distinction? I am becoming very frustrated. Any help out there? This whole thing is becoming expensive in both $s and time.

MBP, Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Aug 1, 2018 5:06 PM

Answer 1

Lanny

Level 6

13,287 points

Aug 2, 2018 12:48 PM in response to Thunderbolttwo

So, now after your thoroughly jumbled first question, you make it known that you want to use the speed of the Thunderbolt connections.

In that case, you will need an external drive that has a Thunderbolt connection. You can also buy external Thunderbolt drive enclosures.

Answer 2

Lanny

Level 6

13,287 points

Aug 2, 2018 1:57 PM in response to Thunderbolttwo

That drive is a USB 3.1 drive, it's not going to go any faster than that. The Thunderbolt 2 ports on your Mac mini are Displayport compatible, that's why they can used with Displayport capable monitors. You can also buy Thunderbolt to USB 3 adapters as I suggested. But your Samsung Portable is only USB 3 capable. Newer Macs have USB-C ports that are Thunderbolt 3 capable.

The only way that you're going to get Thunderbolt 2 speeds with an external drive is to get one that has a Thunderbolt 2 connection, they are kind of rare, expensive, and now, out-of-date.

Example: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1384871-REG/lacie_stex4000400_d2_4tb_thun derbolt_2.html?ap=y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4ujx1aDP3AIVgr9kCh3lhAA8EAQYAiABEgJBl_D_Bw E&smp=y

Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

131,888 points

Aug 2, 2018 12:09 PM in response to Thunderbolttwo

Other than naming confusion, a USB 3.0 port (SuperSpeed) is a USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Mbps) port in 2014 connector terms. It is also backwards compatible with USB1 and 2. Don't confuse this with the newer USB Type-C 3.1 cable which is for newer Macs and has a different physical connector.

A Thunderbolt 1/2 to USB 3.0/3.1 cable can be found, but they are expensive. Here's one for $100 USD on Newegg. It will only operate at Thunderbolt 1 (10Gbps) speeds. You might shop around.

Answer 4

Lanny

Level 6

13,287 points

Aug 2, 2018 12:38 PM in response to Thunderbolttwo

This is what I use with my Late 2014 Mac mini: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HGC82ZM/A/kanex-thunderbolt-to-esata-usb-30-a dapter?fnode=8b&fs=f%3Dadapter%26fh%3D4595%252B45b0

Note that it's actually sold in the Apple Store.

Answer 5

Aug 2, 2018 1:28 PM in response to Lanny

Sorry I jumbled the question. I have a Samsung Portable SSD T5. It came with a USB 3.1 (USB-C/Thunderbolt 3) male to USB 3.1 (USB-C)/(Thunderbolt 3) male. I want to go from the Thunderbolt 2 port on my Mac Mini (late 2014) to the Samsung USB-3.1 SSD. I tried the Apple Thunderbolt (2m) cable to go from the MacMini to the adapter. No joy. Apple says the Thunderbolt Cable is only for displays. I have run out of airspeed and altitude. A USB-1 to USB-C cable from the USB 3 port on the mini to the SSD works but does not take advantage of Thunderbolt 2 speeds.

Answer 6

Aug 2, 2018 2:42 PM in response to Lanny

For your info you might check out https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/what-is-usb-3-1-when-will-it-be-released -and-what-will-it-do-for-pcs/

Thx for your trouble. Will be nice when everybody standardizes.

Answer 7

Aug 2, 2018 12:23 PM in response to Lanny

That accomplishes nothing as I see it I already have 4 USB 3.0 ports. I want to tap into the speed of the Thunderbolt 2 architecture. Thanks for the response antway.

Connectivity Thunderbolt 2 to USB 3.1

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