BluMunk Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 Hey all. I've got a 2013 Macbook, which has two Thunderbolt 2 ports. I have no Thunderbolt 2 devices. I have lots of USB devices. I'd like to buy a hub that maybe adds a few USB ports via the Thunderbolt 2 ports. But I can't seem to find anything other than $200+ docks. Is there anything out there? I can buy USB-C hubs for cheap, but Thunderbolt 2 are almost non-existent. Is this a result of it just being a Mac-only format that had a limited presence in the market? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwat Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 Try Other World Computing (at www.macsales.com). They are a long-time reputable supplier of Mac-centric accessories, including Thunderbolt docks. Nowadays of course, the big push is TB3, but I have one of their TB2 docks which has been bullet-proof and stalwart for years. I think they still sell them, even though TB3 has eclipsed demand and interest. If you can't find it on their website, call or message them. Tim Quote .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Mike Metlay Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Try Other World Computing (at www.macsales.com). They are a long-time reputable supplier of Mac-centric accessories, including Thunderbolt docks. Nowadays of course, the big push is TB3, but I have one of their TB2 docks which has been bullet-proof and stalwart for years. I think they still sell them, even though TB3 has eclipsed demand and interest. If you can't find it on their website, call or message them. Tim I have an OWC T2 dock and it's always been phenomenal for me. You need to spend decent money on any of these docks, so you get something with a good robust power supply that can handle everything you're going to be plugging into it. It doesn't appear that OWC is still selling theirs, but you might want to check out resellers like Mac Of All Trades. Quote Dr. Mike Metlay (PhD in nuclear physics, golly gosh) Musician, Author, Editor, Educator, Impresario, Online Radio Guy, Cut-Rate Polymath, and Kindly Pedant Editor-in-Chief, Bjooks ~ Author of SYNTH GEMS 1 clicky!: more about me ~ my radio station (and my fam) ~ my local tribe ~ my day job ~ my book ~ my music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajstan Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Check out Mini Display Port hubs, which are compatible with Thunderbolt 2 ports. Here's one that's only $49: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716JB81J Quote Nord Stage 3 HA88, Nord Stage 3 Compact, Casio CT-S1, Radial Key Largo, Westone AM Pro 30, Rolls PM55P, K&M 18880 + 18881, Bose S1 Pro, JBL 305p MKII, Zoom Q2n-4K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Check out Mini Display Port hubs, which are compatible with Thunderbolt 2 ports. Here's one that's only $49: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716JB81JSo I can't be 100% sure, but I suspect that this is a combination of a: - USB-A to 2xUSB-A + Ethernet hub - DisplayPort to HDMI converter I don't think DisplayPort carries USB, that's why there's a USB plug and a DP plug connecting that hub to the upstream computer. Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 My OWC hub is fairly unreliable,. even after being replaced, but I ordered the brand new TB4 model anyway, which should be released soon, as I now have more drivers and devices that connect via TB3. The newer OWC stuff is proving more reliable; I think they learned some lessons from the issues with their TB3-connected USB hubs, and the TB2 hubs that preceded them. Quote Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1, Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwat Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Hey Mark! Glad your migration has gone far so far! I still have my TB2 dock connected, daisy-chained from my TB3 dock I had to purchase when I upgraded to the latest MBP. But for TB3, I decided to go Caldigit rather than OWC. Both seemed to be equally-regarded, similarly priced, different form factor and a small difference in ports offered. Smmall differences but I thought I'd give it a try. So far, the Caldigit has been sturdy, but only time will tell. Quote .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 I'll have to check what we have at work tomorrow; might be Caldigit. Flakey as all get out (worse I've ever used, in fact), but I think it's because it is suspended in mid-air by the super-short cables. Quote Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1, Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 Yep, the one at work is CalDigit and it's a piece of crap, dropping connections multiple times per day and causing all sorts of weirdness with devices and monitors. It especially reacts poorly to sleep mode on the main computer. Quote Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1, Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokely Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 I've got an 8 port usb (3 iirc) hub that comes from one usb-c thunderbolt port on my mac....at least I assume that is thunderbolt, I know the two on the left are different somewhat from the two on the right when it comes to hooking up hi rez monitors. No issues with all that stuff hooked up, and this hub being usb was not expensive. I do have my displayport monitor coming from a different port for what it is worth, because this hub doesn't have any kind of thunderbolt or displayport to get to the monitor. The devices include my audio interface, several disk drives, mouse and keyboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.