2015 MBP (Thunderbolt 2) output to Thunderbolt 3 Dock

Question

I have a 2015 MBP (Thunderbolt 2), and I want to output to a new Thunderbolt 3 docking station. The new dock is connected to 2 monitors.

Seems like what I need is a male to male Thunderbolt2 to Thunderbolt3 cable. But, from googling around, doesn't seem like such a cable exists.

I see USB C to Mini DP male to male. But that's used for new laptops (USB C) to drive older displays (Mini DP).

I also see that Apple provides a Thunderbolt 3 to 2 dongle.

https://www.apple.com/us_smb_83039/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter

Thunderbolt 3 is male, Thunderbolt 2 is female. So I guess I could connect a Thunderbolt 2 cable from may MBP to the dongle. But even then, I'm not sure if that would work. Also, I'm not sure if it'd be driving 1 display or 2.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

Answer 1

Get a proper Thunderbolt 2 dock.

The problem that you’re going to have is that Thunderbolt 2 does not provide all of the bandwidth and capabilities necessary to support what’s on the Thunderbolt 3 dock.

Using a USB-C dock with older MacBook Pros

Those Thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 3 adapters are great for when you’re using a single use items like an Ethernet port or a Firewire adapter. Thunderbolt 3 has double the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 2 - 40Gb/s versus 20Gb/s. You simply will not be able to support everything that the newer dock supports.

What’s also important to keep in mind is that the Thunderbolt 2 uses an active cable where as Thunderbolt 3 does not. So right off the bat trying to connect this dock to your older MacBook Pro will likely not work.

Answer 2

According to this Macworld.com article here you can use backwards compatibility by making sure that the dock you purchase is EXTERNALLY POWERED in order to supply access and power to the down-streamed device. Hope I helped!