Feasibility of Upgrading USB 2.0 ports to 3.0

[joejoejoe]

I've googled this for days on end in hopes that some discussion already existed on the net, but can't find a single one.

Is it possible to upgrade the USB 2.0 ports in an iMac to 3.0?

 

[appleguy123]

I think that you would need a modified logic board. Nearly impossible.

 

[joejoejoe]

I think that you would need a modified logic board. Nearly impossible.

wonderful.

 

[LAPTOPODO]

Surely next generation....

 

[joejoejoe]

Surely next generation....

I know. I was hoping it was going to happen with the latest refresh. But I'm not gonna wait another year for a new computer.

Or should I..... hmmm....

 

[skcrane]

on this subject will 2.0 devices be compatible with 3.0 and will more to the point 3.0 devices be compatible to 2.0 I would assume yes.

 

[joejoejoe]

on this subject will 2.0 devices be compatible with 3.0 and will more to the point 3.0 devices be compatible to 2.0 I would assume yes.

yes they're backward compatible, the same way usb 1.0 and 2.0 are backward compatible.

damn I was really hoping that the upgrade would be easy.

then again I've seen discussions about how a Mac Pro would be fairly simple to upgrade from 2.0 to 3.0, why would the iMac be more difficult requiring a logic board swap?

 

[skcrane]

I assumed so probably a dumb question

 

[xraydoc]

yes they're backward compatible, the same way usb 1.0 and 2.0 are backward compatible.

damn I was really hoping that the upgrade would be easy.

then again I've seen discussions about how a Mac Pro would be fairly simple to upgrade from 2.0 to 3.0, why would the iMac be more difficult requiring a logic board swap?

You can install a USB 3.0 PCIe card in a Mac Pro. No such option with an iMac.

 

[mrwonkers]

Or if you have a 17" MacBook Pro like me you can wait for Apple to support USB 3 and then buy an expresscard 34 USB 3 adapter something u can't do on an iMac.....
All that processor speed and no external hdd connection protocol worth utilising with it, good one Apple doh.......

 

[appleguy123]

Or if you have a 17" MacBook Pro like me you can wait for Apple to support USB 3 and then buy an expresscard 34 USB 3 adapter something u can't do on an iMac.....
All that processor speed and no external hdd connection protocol worth utilising with it, good one Apple doh.......

I have one of those fangled contraptions. Thanks for the tip!