Thunderbolt Via USB 3.1 Gen 2

[Nate Dogg]

SO I screwed up.. bought an HD Native Thunderbolt thinking I could get an ExpressCard to add Thunderbolt to my 2yo laptop.. seems not to be the case. I was able to find an ExpressCard USB 3.1 Gen 2 adapter tho and I'm getting indications that such a controller, since the cable is compatible, "will support Thunderbolt devices just without Thunderbolt 3 features" ... well the HD Native is Thunderbolt 2(1?) and I don't need the DisplayPort capabilities so.. if the data channels are compatible.. wondering if anyone has tried this? Is it possible I'll be able to access the interface this way?

I don't want to spend the few hundred on the ExpressCard and TB3->TB2 adapter if someone can definitively tell me it won't work. I also don't want to buy a new machine right now (much more $$ than that) unless that's my only option.. ?? Thanks

[Sardi]

It won’t work. Different protocols.


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[BScout]

Won't work.

[LukeHoward]

The short answer is: Thunderbolt support can't be added (my understanding is that, even for PC motherboards that have optional Thunderbolt cards, that still requires specific motherboard support). Macs either have it or don't.

Thunderbolt 3 uses USB Type C connectors, also used by USB 3.1, which of course can be super-confusing.