Connecting a Macbook Pro 2011 to a Macbook Pro 2016+

[Maffymac401]

Hello Everyone!

I plan to purchase a new Macbook pro if they are announced at WWDC. Unfortunately, my Macbook Pro 15 inch late 2011 is no longer able to boot due into OSX to the GPU. If I am able to boot into target disk mode on the 2011, can I connect it to the newest generation of Macbook Pros and get data off the hard drive?

If so, what is the minimum amount of cables/adapters do i need?

Links would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[organicCPU]

Minimum amount of cables: 1
That should do what you want (though I'm not sure if you'll need macOS Sierra or higher on the MBP 2011):
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter

 

[kohlson]

If I understand this correctly, you want to connect a new Mac (USB-c/TB3) to an older Mac (TB). You'll need 2 cables: A TB cable, and a TB to USB-c adapter. I used just such a combination a year ago when my daughter upgraded from a 2012 MBA to a 2016 MBP.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Hello Everyone!

I plan to purchase a new Macbook pro if they are announced at WWDC. Unfortunately, my Macbook Pro 15 inch late 2011 is no longer able to boot due into OSX to the GPU. If I am able to boot into target disk mode on the 2011, can I connect it to the newest generation of Macbook Pros and get data off the hard drive?

If so, what is the minimum amount of cables/adapters do i need?

Links would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Connecting computers requires both to boot you would be better off getting a USB c Enclosure for the hard drive and whipping it out of the 2011 then you can just migrate the data and use the enclosure and drive as an external.

 

[theluggage]

Hello Everyone!
If so, what is the minimum amount of cables/adapters do i need?

@Samuelsan2001 has the best plan - the hard drive is easy to remove on a 2011 MBP (its even in the Apple user guide - those were the days!)

Not sure I'd want a 7-year-old HD as a portable drive once I'd got the data off it - you could save pennies (and avoid having to fit the drive in an enclosure) by just getting a cheap USB-to-SATA cable (often sold for people upgrading hard drives) rather than a proper enclosure.

Cheapest option would be something like - https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-SATA-Adapter-Cable-Drives-en-GB-SATA-USB-3-0-converter/dp/B01N2JIQR7/ - you'll also need a USB-C to USB-A dongle but you'll probably want a few of those (or a hub/dock) anyway.

Neater option would be a USB-C to SATA adapter - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0133F30R8/ - but you're paying a premium for a USB-C version of something that you may only use once, and there are "proper" USB-C enclosures around for a similar price.