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Thunderbolt 2 dock discontinued. OWC giving up on Mac Pro?
- Thread starter saulinpa
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You can interface with Thunderbolt 3 devices, albeit at Thunderbolt 2 speeds, using Apple's Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter in reverse (https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter). Thus with that compatibility, why would they keep a legacy toolset going?
1. The power delivery for the laptop isn't going to work. So that is a major feature that is "out the door" coupled to a TBv2 system. ( although that system extremely likely has another cable delivering power. )
2. I suspect some of the specs won't work. For example, two 4K or one 5K display. Nope.
3. Counting the 2nd Thunderbolt port as a "fall back" USB Type C port might be lost also.
You can send them an email. There is a decent chance it just falls into the "happens to work" category. They aren't going out of their way to test with a variety of Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapters, but may just work in a reduced features mode.
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Nobody is selling new TBv2 systems as this point. So there are dramatically fewer buyers for TBv2 devices. So therefore it is a legacy/obsolete product in terms of new sales. If you dive down into the Support section of their website the Thunderbolt 2 dock is there. ( just not particularly adding any new content.)
It is creeping up on 3 years (October 2017 ) since Apple jumped on the Thunderbolt 3 bandwagon. The only Thunderbolt 2 fossil in Apple's line up is the Rip van Winkle Mac Pro 2013 model. (even the Mini has moved on at this point. The MacBook is still an non-TB odd ball that is more likely to merge with iPad Pro in features. )
If someone gave up on putting effort into the Mac Pro it is Apple, not OWC.
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Thunderbolt 2 is gone, has been for some time now.
It wasn't until Thunderbolt 3 came out when Windows Machines finally adapted the standard.
And, for that matter, Apple gave up on the MP long ago. Even if they are still selling it
It wasn't until Thunderbolt 3 came out when Windows Machines finally adapted the standard.
And, for that matter, Apple gave up on the MP long ago. Even if they are still selling it
OWC still sells memory for 20 year old Power Macs as you can find 256MB sticks on their website for $5.99. The issue is that I was surprised of their lack of support for a currently selling model. They have been the go-to place for a long time so this seemed odd.
I did contact OWC today. After initial confusion that had a Mac Pro that I wanted to use a dock with they responded. Said everything should work with a TB3-TB2 adapter but any monitors would be limited to 30Hz. I said thanks for the info and they should update their compatibility information.
I did contact OWC today. After initial confusion that had a Mac Pro that I wanted to use a dock with they responded. Said everything should work with a TB3-TB2 adapter but any monitors would be limited to 30Hz. I said thanks for the info and they should update their compatibility information.
Based off this clue I am going to try and connect a Western Digital 4TB Passport that uses a USB 3.1 Micro B 10 pin into the drive and a USB 3.1 regular connector, attach a USB 3.1 female/female connector, then a USB 3.1 male/USB-C female adapter, the Apple TB3 to TB 2 in reverse, and a TB 2 cable to the Pro. Wish me luck. Why do this, so I can use some of the five unused TB2 powered ports and leave some powered USB ports open on the rear of the Pro. Drive costs $100, adapters cables cost $75, still $50 cheaper than a TB3 4TB portable without trying to get TB2 connection.
Don't think it will work. Going from TB2 to TB3 does not get USB. What should work is a TB2 to USB adapter similar to https://www.amazon.com/Kanex-Thunderbolt-eSATA-plus-Adapter/dp/B00LOLBBQQ - still USB at 3.0 speeds (5gbs).
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Correct. Mine was a fail BECAUSE the Apple USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 is NOT REVERSIBLE, contrary to claims elsewhere. I buy the adapter suggested above. THanks for your help.
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Still lots of confusion as there is no USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. It is Thunderbolt 3 that shares the same physical connector as USB-C.
Apple's TB2 to TB3 adapter is reversible, but only for Thunderbolt protocols as it is not USB.