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shamus99

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 20, 2014
261
121
Hey... I have a 2012 mac mini and would like to take use of the Thunderbolt input to connect my new ipad pro. Will that even work? Thanks in advance...
 
Hey... I have a 2012 mac mini and would like to take use of the Thunderbolt input to connect my new ipad pro. Will that even work? Thanks in advance...
You should just use a USB-A to USB-C cable. Trying to use Thunderbolt for this doesn’t add any speed or other benefits.
 
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You should just use a USB-A to USB-C cable. Trying to use Thunderbolt for this doesn’t add any speed or other benefits.
thanks... not looking for speed. Just trying to use an empty spot. Will it work?
 
thanks... not looking for speed. Just trying to use an empty spot. Will it work?
You’d need to get a Thunderbolt hub/dock and then connect the iPad to that via USB, which would cost hundreds. If you’re short on USB ports just get an inexpensive USB hub and connect the iPad to that using the aforementioned USB cable.
The iPad is not a Thunderbolt device so it cannot use Thunderbolt ports directly.
 
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You should just use a USB-A to USB-C cable. ...

That won't work with a 2012 Mac Mini, period. The "Thunderbolt" port on that model is TB2 and uses the same connector as mini-DisplayPort. Only the newer TB3 uses the USB-C connector.
 
That won't work with a 2012 Mac Mini, period. The "Thunderbolt" port on that model is TB2 and uses the same connector as mini-DisplayPort. Only the newer TB3 uses the USB-C connector.
That cable will work fine with the iPad Pro and the 2012 Mac Mini.
Thunderbolt is irrelevant with the iPad Pro. The USB-A end goes in the Mac Mini, and the USB-C end goes in the iPad.
 
That cable will work fine with the iPad Pro and the 2012 Mac Mini.
Thunderbolt is irrelevant with the iPad Pro. The USB-A end goes in the Mac Mini, and the USB-C end goes in the iPad.
The USB-A end will not fit the TB port on the mini, which is where the OP wants to connect.
 
The USB-A end will not fit the TB port on the mini, which is where the OP wants to connect.
Yes. In my post you quoted, you removed the part where I mentioned it was not worthwhile to use Thunderbolt, and then later in the thread I suggested a USB hub.
 
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