MacBook Pro (Early 2011) to USB 3.0

Here is my problem:

A) Goal

Connecting a MacBook Pro 13'', Early 2011 (MacBookPro8,1) to a Laptop Docking Station (Sabrent DS-RICA) via USB 3.0.

B) Situation/Setup

Said docking station only supports input via USB 3.0 (5 Gbps), which would be fine if it weren't for said MacBook which can only output via USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) over its USB ports since that was the standard at the time this laptop was built. So at the moment I'm connection said MacBook via an USB 2.0 A port via an USB 2.0 A-B cable to the USB 3.0 B port of said docking station.

Everything else – apart from power which is connected directly to the laptop – so ethernet, DVI monitor, sound via 3.5 mm jack, USB mouse, USB keyboard and some additional USB devices (external drive and a USB HUB) are connected to said docking station and all those signals have to be transmitted via the USB 2.0 cable between the docking station and the laptop.

C) Problem

With this setup I'm getting hard delays on the attached screen of up to one second, e.g. when I type (maybe 1/4 of a second), but especially when scrolling down internet pages or anything within the browser. The same delays, even longer ones, occur when I open folders in the MacOS (10.11) dock: The fan and grid view take quite some time to be displayed, not to talk about when I try to click an item… Also some minor screen errors occur (pinkish grey instead of grey as color of the top bar of windows). But all in all the delays annoy the most.

All of those problems do not occur when I'm opening my laptop and work (windows etc. displayed on) its own screen but still being connected to the internet and USB devices etc. via the docking station (DisplayLink Drivers seem to work fine)…

D) Leads / How I'm trying to solve my problem

So I reckon this is because I demand too much of that USB 2.0 connection, 480 Mbps might be not enough for all this data, especially for transmitting the video signal as it seems. But please correct me if I'm wrong or you see the problem somewhere else.

I therefore think about changing the connection type.

According to this, my MacBook Pro has three wired data in- and output ports other than USB 2.0 (and SD card slot and 3.5 mm socket), which might serve as alternative for the connection to the docking station:

• Ethernet 1000BASE-T (IEEE 802.3ab) port at up to 1 Gbps, depending on the used ethernet cable.

• FireWire 800 port at 800 Mbps.

• Thunderbolt 1 port at 10 Gbps.

I will therefore need an adapter at some point, I guess. As of my inquires (e.g.), a FireWire signal cannot be translated into a USB signal easily with an adapter, at least not at a reasonable cost.

So only 1. and 3., ethernet to USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 1 to USB 3.0 will be in question. I am looking for the most reliable or at least working option for the best price. I've found the following three options:

1. Ethernet to USB 3.0 adapter (e.g. here) + USB 3.0 A female to USB 3.0 B male (e.g. here). Probably the cheapest option.
   But I'm not sure if this, that is ethernet, supports a data
   connection to a docking station at all; it might only work in the
   other direction – comments on this are much appreciated! About USD
   30 + 8 = USD 38, where I plan to buy.
2. Thunderbolt 1 to USB 3.0 adapter (e.g. here, also
   here). Most straight forward option, but incredibly expensive
   and quite a large thing (my MacBook is placed vertically in a laptop
   stand next to the docking station; this adapter will hang down its
   side…), but will probably do the trick… USD 80-120, where I plan
   to buy.
3. The adapter train: Thunderbolt male-male cable (e.g. here) + Thunderbolt 1/2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter (e.g. here) + Thunderbolt 3 female-female adapter (I cannot find this in my
   country though! – suggestions?) + Thunderbolt 3 to USB 3.0 A
   Adapter (e.g. here) + USB 3.0 A-B cable (I already have this,
   lucky me…). Incredibly complicated, but should work, if I can get
   all components (!) and maybe less expensive than option II): USD
   24-47 + 31-46 + 10? + 9-20 + UBS 3.0 A-B already owned = USD
   74-120…

E) Questions

• A) Is my assumption correct, that the problem comes from the overtaxed
  USB 2.0 connection?
• B) If yes, can my approach solve the problem? Which option is the most
  promising?
• C) Or is there a way to upgrade the USB 2.0 ports of my MacBook Pro to
  USB 3.x ports?

Any suggestions, also on a less complicated option 3, are greatly appreciated!