Thunderbolt adapters advice

[Grilled Cheese]

I’ve just ordered an M1 Max MacBook Pro and an OWC Thunderbolt 4 hub. I need to attach three external devices to the hub. Two are Thunderbolt 2, and one is a Dell 43 inch UHD monitor which uses Mini DisplayPort.

I need adapters to plug the TB2 cables into the TB4 inputs on the hub. This is not my area of expertise!

Question: Are TB2 to TB3/4 adapters different from Mini DisplayPort to TB3/4 adapters?

I’ve found many TB2 to mini DisplayPort adapters, such as this:

USB-C to Mini DisplayPort 4K Adapter Cable - Aluminium Case - Macfixit Australia

USB Type C to Mini DisplayPort Adapter Supporting 4K resolutionCompatibility:All Apple computers with the USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 Ports , Google Chromebook Pixel, Dell XPS 13 9350, Alienware 13/15/17Some of devices may not compatible with this adapter. We recommend Apple Macbook or Dell PC or...

www.macfixit.com.au

I’ve only found one TB2 to TB3 (USB C) adapter:

Thunderbolt 3 USB C to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple (AU)

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

Question: Are these the right kinds of adapters for me? Are there any other options I should know about?

Many thanks!

 

[Amethyst1]

Question: Are TB2 to TB3/4 adapters different from Mini DisplayPort to TB3/4 adapters?

Yes. You can’t plug in a DisplayPort device (your monitor) into the former.

I’ve found many TB2 to mini DisplayPort adapters, such as this:

You need this for your monitor.

I’ve only found one TB2 to TB3 (USB C) adapter:

You need this for your TB2 device.

 

[Grilled Cheese]

Yes. You can’t plug in a DisplayPort device (your monitor) into the former.


You need this for your monitor.



You need this for your TB2 device.

Great! Thanks for your help.

Final question: Are there any companies other than Apple that make TB2 to TB3 adapters? Apple’s one seems pretty pricey for such a simple device. $69 each in Australia.

 

[Amethyst1]

Are there any companies other than Apple that make TB2 to TB3 adapters?

Startech and CableMatters do, for example. Startech's is not exactly cheap either though.

 

[Amethyst1]

Apple’s one seems pretty pricey for such a simple device.

Can you get it cheaper off, say, eBay?

 

[Bob_DM]

Can you get it cheaper off, say, eBay?

Great! Thanks for your help.

Final question: Are there any companies other than Apple that make TB2 to TB3 adapters? Apple’s one seems pretty pricey for such a simple device. $69 each in Australia.

I think it’s less simple then it seems. Someone with more knowledge may correct me, but I believe it’s an active translator.

 

[You’re not me]

Great! Thanks for your help.

Final question: Are there any companies other than Apple that make TB2 to TB3 adapters? Apple’s one seems pretty pricey for such a simple device. $69 each in Australia.

Get the Apple one and get it from Apple. There are many fake Apple branded products out there(I’m looking at you Amazon).

 

[Grilled Cheese]

Get the Apple one and get it from Apple. There are many fake Apple branded products out there(I’m looking at you Amazon).

Yea - this was my conclusion too.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'd look for used tbolt3-to-tbolt2 adapters.

Another option:
Are the thunderbolt drives you have "openable"?
If so, you might consider opening them, TAKING THE CORE DRIVES OUT, and putting them into USB3 enclosures.

CHEAPER!
And probably almost as fast.

 

[Amethyst1]

If so, you might consider opening them, TAKING THE CORE DRIVES OUT, and putting them into USB3 enclosures.

If the drives are in some kind of RAID box with a dedicated controller (such as a Promise Pegasus), that’s not going to work. Just a heads-up.