What's the ideal bridge Mac?

[TheShortTimer]

I'd go for a 2011 13" MacBook Pro for the following reasons:

1. No GPU issues (because there is no discrete GPU).
2. It can run Snow Leopard - and boy, SL is fast on one of those! - all the way up to Catalina (with patches; no idea about Big Sur).
3. It has "all the ports" including FireWire and Thunderbolt.

The lack of USB 3.0 is a nuisance but can be overcome with a Thunderbolt to USB 3.0 adapter.

Latecomer to this discussion but I was curious about the adapter because of course I own a 2011 13" MBP (and also a 2011 i5 MBA w/ Thunderbolt) but the item in your link is out of stock. Other vendors stock it but the price is eye-watering. Why is it so expensive? The scarcity?

 

[Amethyst1]

Latecomer to this discussion but I was curious about the adapter because of course I own a 2011 13" MBP (and also a 2011 i5 MBA w/ Thunderbolt) but the item in your link is out of stock.

One of these two is also an option (I recently picked up one of these for 30 bucks from eBay).
https://www.kanex.com/thunderbolt-esata
https://www.kanex.com/products/item.aspx?id=5041

Why is it so expensive? The scarcity?

Thunderbolt tax.

 

[TheShortTimer]

One of these two is also an option (I recently picked up one of these for 30 bucks from eBay).
https://www.kanex.com/thunderbolt-esata
https://www.kanex.com/products/item.aspx?id=5041

Thanks for the heads up.

Thunderbolt tax.

A high tax, to be sure!

 

[Amethyst1]

Another less portable option is picking up a used Thunderbolt 1 or 2 dock if you can find one cheaply — make sure a Thunderbolt cable is included because these wretched things are still quite expensive on their own.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Another less portable option is picking up a used Thunderbolt 1 or 2 dock if you can find one cheaply — make sure a Thunderbolt cable is included because these wretched things are still quite expensive on their own.

I saw that when I bought an UltraStudio Mini Recorder and received a nasty shock after discovering that the manufacturer didn't include a Thunderbolt cable and that they were not cheap...

 

[Amethyst1]

I saw that when I bought an UltraStudio Mini Recorder and received a nasty shock after discovering that the manufacturer didn't include a Thunderbolt cable and that they were not cheap...

A classic.

 

[TheShortTimer]

This discussion of Thunderbolt and early Intel Macs has given me some ideas but I'll create a new thread rather than hijacking this one.

 

[Amethyst1]

This discussion of Thunderbolt and early Intel Macs has given me some ideas

Do tell!

 

[TheShortTimer]

Do tell!

Done: tagged you in!

 

[0423MAC]

Since installing Ventura on a Mid 2012 MBP, I wanted to check how this old trusty early 2011 is doing with Windows 11.

Still good, incredible machines. All updates have worked great.