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USB 3.0 mac mini 2011 mod/hack possible?
- Thread starter neo179neo
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"Is it possible to mod/hack your mac mini so it has usb 3.0 ports instead?"
Short answer:
No, not really.
Longer answer:
It -might- be possible to kludge together some kind of solution, but by the time you had it working, you'd do better to spend the extra $$$ (probably not much) just to buy a new Mini, and then sell the old one for whatever you could get for it!
USB3 is the -singularly most important- reason to wait for the upcoming 2012 version of the Mini (and other Macs, as well).
Short answer:
No, not really.
Longer answer:
It -might- be possible to kludge together some kind of solution, but by the time you had it working, you'd do better to spend the extra $$$ (probably not much) just to buy a new Mini, and then sell the old one for whatever you could get for it!
USB3 is the -singularly most important- reason to wait for the upcoming 2012 version of the Mini (and other Macs, as well).
NO T-BOLT or nothing.
BTW the 2012 mini will have 2 t-bolt ports. the best options are these 2.
http://www.provantage.com/seagate-stae122~7SEG904H.htm
http://www.provantage.com/seagate-stae121~7SEG904F.htm
these are basically the best you can do.
My gut says apple may not give usb3 and push all t-bolt for 2012.
But My predication for the iPad was "looks like a tweener product too big to put in your pocket and too small to do real pc work it will never sell"
BTW the 2012 mini will have 2 t-bolt ports. the best options are these 2.
http://www.provantage.com/seagate-stae122~7SEG904H.htm
http://www.provantage.com/seagate-stae121~7SEG904F.htm
these are basically the best you can do.
My gut says apple may not give usb3 and push all t-bolt for 2012.
But My predication for the iPad was "looks like a tweener product too big to put in your pocket and too small to do real pc work it will never sell"
Just some thinking.
USB3 is not an end, it is a mean to achieve something.
Often there are alternative means to the end.
Examples includes using one or more of the other connections: ethernet gigabit, firewire, thunderbolt. Or perhaps an internal SSD and/or larger RAM used for caching. It all depends on the usage.
Sometimes the gain is quite small: example when connecting a "standard" external hard disc drive -- the difference in real speed between USB2 and USB3 may not be very large at all.
Sometimes there is no gain at all: a mouse on USB3 will not be better then even good-ol USB1.
But, true enough, sometimes USB3 is what is needed. Than the mini might not be right box from the beginning.
// Gunnar
USB3 is not an end, it is a mean to achieve something.
Often there are alternative means to the end.
Examples includes using one or more of the other connections: ethernet gigabit, firewire, thunderbolt. Or perhaps an internal SSD and/or larger RAM used for caching. It all depends on the usage.
Sometimes the gain is quite small: example when connecting a "standard" external hard disc drive -- the difference in real speed between USB2 and USB3 may not be very large at all.
Sometimes there is no gain at all: a mouse on USB3 will not be better then even good-ol USB1.
But, true enough, sometimes USB3 is what is needed. Than the mini might not be right box from the beginning.
// Gunnar
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonnet-Echo...sion_Cards&hash=item3f19406e4a#ht_1509wt_1114
Or maybe
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57457464-1/drobo-hooks-up-thunderbolt-with-usb-3.0-data-cable/
Its possible to plug it into the thunderbolt slot and then daisy chain another usb 3.0 device into the 3.0 slot on back. Or that is too slow and not true 3.0.
Or maybe
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57457464-1/drobo-hooks-up-thunderbolt-with-usb-3.0-data-cable/
Its possible to plug it into the thunderbolt slot and then daisy chain another usb 3.0 device into the 3.0 slot on back. Or that is too slow and not true 3.0.
Check out Belkin's Thunderbolt Hub due out in September.
http://www.belkin.com/thunderbolt/
It will give you 3 USB 3.0 (and eSata) from your TB port.
I am really wanting to get hold of this device!
IP
http://www.belkin.com/thunderbolt/
It will give you 3 USB 3.0 (and eSata) from your TB port.
I am really wanting to get hold of this device!
IP
Last edited:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5933/...re-belkin-thunderbolt-express-dock-matrox-ds1
it lists at 399
eff them. just not worth it.
it lists at 399
eff them. just not worth it.
Throw in a TB cable cost as well (if it is not included).
It is incredibly pricey and is closer in price to what the next base MM will be almost (almosssssst).
Market pressure will hopefully bring the price down, or bring other similar hubs to the market.
I can get the Lacie TB eSata Hub in Australia for $145 on the internet, while it retails for $199 so I am hoping similar with the Belkin hub.
I agree with philipma though... I might be saying eff as well if they hit the market at full cost with no room to move.
IP
It is incredibly pricey and is closer in price to what the next base MM will be almost (almosssssst).
Market pressure will hopefully bring the price down, or bring other similar hubs to the market.
I can get the Lacie TB eSata Hub in Australia for $145 on the internet, while it retails for $199 so I am hoping similar with the Belkin hub.
I agree with philipma though... I might be saying eff as well if they hit the market at full cost with no room to move.
IP
