I have a 2012 MacBook Pro. It has a Thunderbolt (Mini DisplayPort) port. I'd like to plug a USB Type-C device into it, since Thunderbolt is faster than my USB 3.0 port. I'm having a hard time finding an adapter with male Mini DisplayPort on one end and female USB-C on the other. Does such an adapter exist?
Thunderbolt 1 to USB Type C adapter
thunderboltusb
Related Question
- MacBook – Will an external USB 3.0 hard drive connected to an Elgato Thunderbolt 2 Dock run at USB 3.0 speeds even though the Macbook Pro is USB 2.0 only
- MacBook – Best option for connecting MacBook Pro with USB-C to monitor with DisplayPort and HDMI
- Should I use a Thunderbolt adapter or a USB 3.0 adapter for ethernet
- Is it possible to connect a 1080p Thunderbolt 3 display to a Thunderbolt 2 port
- MacBook – Does Thunderbolt 1 provide USB (3.0) functionality
- MacBook – Connecting Thunderbolt 2 Mac to Thunderbolt 3 Display, what is the maximum resolution@100hz , will USB 3.0 work
- MacBook – Can a Thunderbolt 3 (usb-c style) to Thunderbolt 2 (mini-DP style) adapter work in reverse
Best Answer
Use this adapter if it's a Thunderbolt device -> https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter
You will need a Thunderbolt cable as well. That should work for you, it's worked for me.
If this is not a Thunderbolt device with a USB-C port, but is instead a USB 3.x device with a USB-C port then you need a different cable. Like this one -> https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Type-C-Adapter-Charger-Cable/dp/B01GGKYR2O
If you want to get gigabit speeds then make sure it's a USB 3.x cable and not a USB 2.0 cable.
If the device has a captive USB-C cable then there is no cheap solution. You will need a Thunderbolt 2 dock with a USB-C port, and these are hard to find. It would likely be cheaper to just replace this USB-C device with a USB-A or Thunderbolt 2 version than get an adapter.
Here's an upcoming option that may work, a Thunderbolt hub. An example, not an endorsement: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-thunderbolt-hub
A Thunderbolt hub like this likely, but not absolutely, has a USB 3.x controller in it allowing USB 3.x devices to be used with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 hosts as well as any Thunderbolt devices. I'm considering one for my own use and if I get one and I remember to come back to this post then I'll report on how it works. But to get it to work means having a Thunderbolt/mini-DP to Thunderbolt/USB-C adapter and/or cable.
So, a quick summary. A single Thunderbolt/USB-C device can be connected with a mini-DP to USB-C adapter. A single USB 3.x/USB-C device can be connected by a USB-A to USB-C cable. This will not always get the most bandwidth a USB-C device can offer but it is cheap and easy. A Thunderbolt dock is an option, an expensive one that may be overkill. A Thunderbolt/USB-C hub should allow use of multiple Thunderbolt and USB 3.x devices with a Thunderbolt 1 or 2 host. I have not tested this myself but, like with the dock, I recall reading that people had success with this in the past. The hub saves some money over the dock but the dock may have the ports you needed USB-C dongles for and so saves on clutter.