Thunderbolt adapters are supported on the following Mac computers:
- MacBook Pro (2011 through 2015)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2011 and later)
- Mac mini (Mid 2011 and later)
- iMac (Mid 2011 through 2015)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013)
The new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are the only laptops that support both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt ports for external devices. The performance advantage for peripherals is tremendous. 5-in-1 USB C Adapter, with 4K USB C to HDMI, SD/TF Card Reader, 2 USB 3.0 Ports, for iPad Pro 2019/2018, MacBook Pro 2019/2018/2017, Chromebook, XPS, and More Instant Expansion: Add 2 USB-A ports, 1 HDMI port, a micro SD card slot, and an SD card slot to your MacBook — all from a single USB-C port. I have an old MacBookPro3,1 to which I've added an ExpressCard/34 USB 3.0 adapter. The card is recognised by OS X out of the box, but when I connect a device to it I can't talk to it unless I wait forever. It's like the transfer rate is snail slow rather than not being able to communicate. I'm running OS X 10.11.4 (15E65). 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less. Testing conducted by Apple in March 2014 using preproduction 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5–based 13-inch MacBook Air units and preproduction 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5–based 11-inch MacBook Air units.
Use these guides to identify your Mac computer:
Apple Thunderbolt cable (0.5 m)
Part Number MD862ZM/A
Apple Thunderbolt cable (0.5 m)
Part Number MF640ZM/A
Apple Thunderbolt cable (2 m)
Part Number MC913ZM/A
Apple Thunderbolt cable (2 m)
Part Number MF639ZM/A
Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Part Number MD463ZM/A
Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter
Part Number MD464ZM/A
Learn more
For best performance, make sure that you've installed all available macOS software and firmware updates. You can check by choosing App Store from the Apple () menu, then clicking Updates.
Slow Download Speed Macbook Air Usb 3.0 Thunderbolt Adapterr
Get more information on Thunderbolt and Apple Thunderbolt cables and adapters:
USB port types and names
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard for connecting computers and other devices. It's available with many types of ports, and each type has a unique shape. On Mac, USB is available with these ports, depending on your Mac model:
Slow Download Speed Macbook Air Usb 3.0 Thunderbolt Adapter Pinout
USB-A
Type USB-A ports are commonly called USB, USB 2, or USB 3 ports, depending on the USB specification they support. They aren't reversible, so a USB-A connector plugs into the port only when oriented correctly.
USB-C
Type USB-C ports are available on Mac as standard USB-C ports, Thunderbolt 3 ports, and Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. Java 8 update 101 download mac. They all look the same, and the connector plugs into the port in either orientation.
Learn more about identifying the ports on your Mac, as well as the adapters and cables you can use to connect older devices to type USB-C ports.
USB specifications
USB specifications are important primarily when you want the most speed and power for your USB device, or your device needs more power or is using too much power. Every USB port supports a particular USB specification, which determines the port's maximum>USB specifications on MacData transferPower deliveryUSB 4Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 2
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 2
Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 1
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3
Up to 5 GbpsUp to 900 mA at 5VUSB 2.0
Up to 480 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5VUSB 1.1
Up to 12 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5V
To learn which specification is supported by a type USB-A or type USB-C port on your Mac model:
Thunderbolt adapters are supported on the following Mac computers:
- MacBook Pro (2011 through 2015)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2011 and later)
- Mac mini (Mid 2011 and later)
- iMac (Mid 2011 through 2015)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013)
The new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are the only laptops that support both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt ports for external devices. The performance advantage for peripherals is tremendous. 5-in-1 USB C Adapter, with 4K USB C to HDMI, SD/TF Card Reader, 2 USB 3.0 Ports, for iPad Pro 2019/2018, MacBook Pro 2019/2018/2017, Chromebook, XPS, and More Instant Expansion: Add 2 USB-A ports, 1 HDMI port, a micro SD card slot, and an SD card slot to your MacBook — all from a single USB-C port. I have an old MacBookPro3,1 to which I've added an ExpressCard/34 USB 3.0 adapter. The card is recognised by OS X out of the box, but when I connect a device to it I can't talk to it unless I wait forever. It's like the transfer rate is snail slow rather than not being able to communicate. I'm running OS X 10.11.4 (15E65). 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less. Testing conducted by Apple in March 2014 using preproduction 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5–based 13-inch MacBook Air units and preproduction 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5–based 11-inch MacBook Air units.
Use these guides to identify your Mac computer:
Apple Thunderbolt cable (0.5 m)
Part Number MD862ZM/A
Apple Thunderbolt cable (0.5 m)
Part Number MF640ZM/A
Apple Thunderbolt cable (2 m)
Part Number MC913ZM/A
Apple Thunderbolt cable (2 m)
Part Number MF639ZM/A
Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Part Number MD463ZM/A
Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter
Part Number MD464ZM/A
Learn more
For best performance, make sure that you've installed all available macOS software and firmware updates. You can check by choosing App Store from the Apple () menu, then clicking Updates.
Slow Download Speed Macbook Air Usb 3.0 Thunderbolt Adapterr
Get more information on Thunderbolt and Apple Thunderbolt cables and adapters:
USB port types and names
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard for connecting computers and other devices. It's available with many types of ports, and each type has a unique shape. On Mac, USB is available with these ports, depending on your Mac model:
Slow Download Speed Macbook Air Usb 3.0 Thunderbolt Adapter Pinout
USB-A
Type USB-A ports are commonly called USB, USB 2, or USB 3 ports, depending on the USB specification they support. They aren't reversible, so a USB-A connector plugs into the port only when oriented correctly.
USB-C
Type USB-C ports are available on Mac as standard USB-C ports, Thunderbolt 3 ports, and Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. Java 8 update 101 download mac. They all look the same, and the connector plugs into the port in either orientation.
Learn more about identifying the ports on your Mac, as well as the adapters and cables you can use to connect older devices to type USB-C ports.
USB specifications
USB specifications are important primarily when you want the most speed and power for your USB device, or your device needs more power or is using too much power. Every USB port supports a particular USB specification, which determines the port's maximum>USB specifications on MacData transferPower deliveryUSB 4Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 2
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 2
Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 1
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3
Up to 5 GbpsUp to 900 mA at 5VUSB 2.0
Up to 480 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5VUSB 1.1
Up to 12 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5V
To learn which specification is supported by a type USB-A or type USB-C port on your Mac model:
- Choose Apple menu > About This Mac, click Support, then click Specifications.
- Check the System Information app for more details, including about USB devices connected to USB ports on your Mac. Select USB in the sidebar, then select a USB bus on the right.
Get the best performance from your USB devices
USB specifications all work with each other, but speed and power are limited by the cable or device that uses the earliest specification. For example, if you connect a USB 3 device to USB 2 port, your device is limited to USB 2 speeds, and it can't draw more power from the port than can be delivered over USB 2. In other words, to get the best performance, make sure that the USB port on your Mac and the USB cable to your device meet or exceed the USB specification of the device itself.
If your Mac doesn't recognize a USB device after you plug it into your Mac:
- Check all connections: Unplug the device from your Mac, then plug it back in, and make sure that all cables and adapters are securely connected at both ends. Test with another cable or adapter, if available.
- Plug the device directly into your Mac instead of a USB hub or other device, and if necessary test with a different USB port on your Mac or device.
- Some devices need their own software, such as drivers or firmware. Others work without additional software. Check with the maker of your device, and install all available Apple software updates as well.
- If your device came with an AC power adapter, use it. Some devices can be powered by the USB port on your Mac. Others need more power than your Mac can provide.
- Restart your Mac.
Learn more
- USB 3 devices can create wireless interference that affects Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices. Learn how to resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference.
- Mac notebook computers with USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 can charge over that port using a compatible USB-C power adapter and cable.
