Will USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 come to the M4-series MacBook Pros?

[macrumor2018]

I just got myself a USB 3.2 gen 2x2 SSD but can't take advantage of this spec with any of the latest Macs, even though they support USB-4 (or Thunderbolt 4 for that matter). Will this likely change in future years?

 

[casperes1996]

What do you mean? USB4 is faster than, and a superset of, usb 3,2 2x2. The usb ports in all current Macs will run at full speed with usb 3,2. Assuming it’s either in a type C connector or you don’t use an adapter/converter/hub that itself is limited.

 

[Miltz]

Unfortunately the most likely answer is no. The only way to get thunderbolt speeds using an external SSD on a Mac is getting a thunderbolt enclosure or just buying a thunderbolt SSD. There's plenty available. I would return what you bought and get a 1,000MB max USB or go full thunderbolt if you really need it. I have the crucial X9 Pro 4TB.

 

[MRxROBOT]

What do you mean? USB4 is faster than, and a superset of, usb 3,2 2x2. The usb ports in all current Macs will run at full speed with usb 3,2. Assuming it’s either in a type C connector or you don’t use an adapter/converter/hub that itself is limited.

You're mistaken. No Mac will run USB 3.2 2x2 at full speed. If you plug a USB 3.2 2x2 SSD into a Mac it will only run at 10Gb, Only half of the specs capability.

 

[casperes1996]

You're mistaken. No Mac will run USB 3.2 2x2 at full speed. If you plug a USB 3.2 2x2 SSD into a Mac it will only run at 10Gb, Only half of the specs capability.

I stand corrected. I was not aware 2x2 was still an optional spec in usb4. Thought it was a strict superset. Ignore prior comment

 

[MRxROBOT]

I stand corrected. I was not aware 2x2 was still an optional spec in usb4. Thought it was a strict superset. Ignore prior comment

Yeah it would make sense for it be there and I’m disappointed Apple didn’t include it.

 

[Fishrrman]

MRx explained:
"You're mistaken. No Mac will run USB 3.2 2x2 at full speed. If you plug a USB 3.2 2x2 SSD into a Mac it will only run at 10Gb, Only half of the specs capability."

Thanks for the clarification.

However...
If one connects a USB4 drive (using the appropriate cable), will the [theoretical] 40gb speed then be "halved" to, say, a maximum of around 20gb ??

 

[MRxROBOT]

MRx explained:
"You're mistaken. No Mac will run USB 3.2 2x2 at full speed. If you plug a USB 3.2 2x2 SSD into a Mac it will only run at 10Gb, Only half of the specs capability."

Thanks for the clarification.

However...
If one connects a USB4 drive (using the appropriate cable), will the [theoretical] 40gb speed then be "halved" to, say, a maximum of around 20gb ??

I’m not quite understanding the question. I’ll answer it how I’m reading it. Are you asking why a USB4 drive may connect at 20Gbps? A USB 4 drive optionally comes in a 20Gbps flavor. You would need both a USB 4 drive and a USB 4 port on your computer to achieve that. However, If you connect a USB 3.2 2x2 drive (20Gbps) to a USB 4 port on a Mac it will only connect at 10Gbps.

 

[Miltz]

To get anything over 1,000MB/s you need either a thunderbolt 3 or 4 drive, period.

 

[Chancha]

To get anything over 1,000MB/s you need either a thunderbolt 3 or 4 drive, period.

This already stopped being the case with the new ASMedia USB4 chip. A few USB4 NVMe enclosures are already available and people are getting >3000MB/s sequential to their Macs, no Thunderbolt involved.