Calling Apple Computer Experts - I need Help/Advice!!

[taiwan_girl]

Thanks @George-K I found out that my external hard drive dock has a "Thunderbolt 2" connection, while the new iMac has a "Thunderbolt 4" connection.

So, I will have to find an adaptor or get a new dock station.

But I will keep this forum thread in mind when I FINALLY get ready. LOL

EDIT: I just did a quick search and did not see that such an adaptor exists. :eek

[George K]

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?afid=p238|9GhhA0CQ-dc_mtid_1870765e38482_pcrid_78409129406772_&cid=aos-us-kwbi-pla-btb_lia-slid--product-MMEL2AM/A

[taiwan_girl]

@George-K Thanks! That is awesome!!

I did not realize that thunderbolt 3 and USB-C were the same thing.

But darn, now I will lose some of my savings that I saved on this computer. LOL

[Axtremus]

“Thunderbolt 3” and “USB-C”, while their connectors may look identical, are actually two different protocols, with Thunderbolt being faster and more expensive. Thought more most consumers, USB-C works well enough that you often don’t have to worry about whether you actually using USB-C or Thunderbolt 3. Good luck with transferring stuff to your new computer.

[taiwan_girl]

@Axtremus Thanks! I am guess that there are no thunderbolt 2 <--> thunderbolt 4 adaptors because the thunderbolt 2 will set the limiting speed of transfer?

[George K]

That's probably the case. I used a TB 2 to TB 3 adapter for years on a multi-bay hard drive enclosure. Worked just fine. I tried to go cheap with a non-Apple adapter it didn't work. I contacted the enclosure manufacturer and they said, "Yeah, you REALLY need to use the Apple adapter.

You can find them on eBay for about half the price.

[Axtremus]

@taiwan_girl , yes, you need adapter to go from Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 because the adapters look different — Thunderbolt 2 physically cannot be connected to Thunderbolt 3 without an adapter. But Thunderbolt 3’s and Thunderbolt 4’s connectors look the same as USB-C’s connector. So once you get the Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter that @George-K linked for you, already you take care of the physical fit of the connectors. The speed will be limited by Thunderbolt 2 regardless. The only other thing to pay attention to is to use a proper Thunderbolt 3 (or better) cable to connect from the adapter to your new Mac. To do that you look for the “thunderbolt” icon on the connectors of the cable. USB-C cables will not have the “thunderbolt” icon on the connectors. Not the end of the world if you use USB-C cable, it just falls back to USB speed.

[Klaus]

Get a Mac, @taiwan_girl ! Then you won't have these kinds of problems!

[taiwan_girl]

@Klaus LOL That is what I have. 555

@Axtremus @George-K A couple of other questions:

@Axtremus Do you still recommend the Samsung SSD (as referenced in the linked thread I have in my first post?

https://nodebb.the-new-coffee-room.club/post/4814

@George-K Were you happy with the adapter and how it worked? I dont think it is worth it to buy a dock station that is thunderbolt 4/USB C directly compatible.

For a hard drive like this
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Toshiba/MG08ADA800E/

Would I be able to put this directly into my OWC dock drive? Any recommendations on a bigger capacity drive that I could use for the dock drive? Bigger SSD drives still seem to be pretty expensive so dont "have to have" a SSD.

(I am trying to "clean up" things a bit. As I mentioned above, I have an external standalone 8TB hard drive that I have pictures/movies/songs on. Plus, I have another 8TB external standalone hard drive that I use for Time Machine. If I could somehow reduce/consolidate the clutter, it would be helpful).

Thanks so much! You guys have been a big help!!

[George K]

Your situation sounds like you could use some pro support. Apple has a very good support service and you can chat (or voice call) with them to find the best solution. Since it’s a new computer that’ll be very helpful.

[taiwan_girl]

@George-K Thanks!

[Axtremus]

@taiwan_girl said in Calling Apple Computer Experts - I need Help/Advice!!:

@Axtremus Do you still recommend the Samsung SSD (as referenced in the linked thread I have in my first post?

Yes, I still like the Samsung SSDs. In the past I wrote about the "860" series; Samsung as since came out with the "870" series, and it's all good.
Samsung makes three variants of those SSDs, the PRO, the EVO, and the QVO.
PRO is most durable, highest performing, and also most expensive - save this for the mission critical stuff.
EVO is IMO good for every day use.
QVO is the newest variant, it's also the cheapest, lowest performing, least durable among the three; personally I do not use the QVO variant.