 |
| Left: Thunderbolt-2 Cable (tiny Thunderbolt on plug), Right: Mini Display Port |
I've been in the technology game for a long time but I've rarely witnessed the rapid demise of a connection-standard like what seems to have happened with Thunderbolt-2 and the cables that make it work.
If you picked up a MacPro Cylinder computer for a bargain price you're in for a shock when you go to buy Thunderbolt-2 cables to connect it.
 |
| APPLE MAC PRO |
Apple Computers declared the small shiny wastebasket Mac Pro (often referred to as 'Late 2013'), End-Of-Life back in 2017. These computers were still being manufactured as late as 2017 and the year of manufacture can be determined by the serial number.
These Mac Pro models were powered by Intel multi-core processors which came in four, six, eight and 12-core models. The computers were built in an assembly facility in Texas with the four core model selling for around $3100 in 2016; I know because I bought a new one in April of 2016 and it has been my main DAW up until April of 2023 when I replaced it with a Mac Studio.
Since these Mac Pro models are powered by Intel processors there will be very limited software for them in the future because Apple has shifted all their design focus to their Native, in-house processor designs. While the new Apple Silicon models offer a great deal of power they don't come cheap. Musicians are notoriously tight with their money which makes these older, discontinued Mac Pro models a veritable bargain.
WHY AN OLD MAC PRO?
The answer is, LOW total purchase cost for a powerful, stable DAW that will provide several years of use. We'll examine complete system purchase price later in this review.
THUNDERBOLT AND THE DOCK ON MAC
These days laptop computers come with very few hardware ports on them. Manufacturer's and designers think wireless connections are better but sometimes you've got gadgets that must connect with wired hardware connections; things like multiport audio interfaces, legacy midi hardware, drum machines and keyboards all depend on hardware connections with physical connectors and wire. The Doc to the rescue!
KEEP YOUR DAW AND OLD COMPUTER WORKING
  |
| 2013 Apple MacPro features six Thunderbolt-2 Ports click to enlarge |
The Mac Pro (Late 2013) cylinder shaped computer, in spite of its compact, “waste basket” form factor, is still a surprisingly capable computer in 2024. This older computer design was still actively manufactured in 2019. If you've got one you might wish to connect with a newer USB C shaped Thunderbolt-3 audio interface or SSD storage: Or you may have a Thunderbolt-2 audio interface like the Apogee Thunderbolt-2 Symphony model, and wish to connect to a newer Apple Silicon based computer which has USB-C-shaped Thunderbolt-3 (or Thunderbolt-4) ports.
In this article we'll explore some of the connection options that can keep your gear recording as the technology universe evolves around us.