Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Apple’s 2016 MacBook Pro might not support existing Thunderbolt 3 devices

By

2016 macbook pro not supporting existing thunderbolt 3 004
Image used with permission by copyright holder
One of the more notable changes to Apple’s 2016 MacBook Pro machines is the complete removal of legacy connectors in favor of Thunderbolt 3 USB Type-C ports. The MacBook Pro with Touch Bar has four, and its physical function key sibling has two.

This means that the MacBook Pro is fairly future-proof, as the industry is moving toward USB Type-C in general and the ones used in Apple’s high-end notebooks provide broad support for all kinds of different types of connectivity. However, it appears that while the MacBook Pro will be able to connect to future Thunderbolt devices, it might have a problem connecting to some or most of those already on the market, as 9to5Mac reports.

Recommended Videos

The issue stems from an apparent incompatibility with the Texas Instrument Thunderbolt 3 controller chips used in current devices. Peripheral maker Plugable, which makes a line of docks for Macs including new Thunderbolt 3 docks arriving in early 2017, issued a statement about a potential incompatibility.

In the statement, Plugable said, “Apple has chosen to prevent Thunderbolt 3 devices using currently available controller chips from Texas Instruments from enumerating and functioning on the 2016 MacBook Pros. All current Thunderbolt 3 peripherals which use this controller chip are incompatible with the new 2016 Thunderbolt 3 MacBooks (To our knowledge, this includes all currently available Thunderbolt 3 devices including our TBT3-DP2X and TBT3-HDMI2X graphics adapters. Our Thunderbolt 3 cables do not require this chip, and therefore are compatible.)”

Given the new information, Plugable has postponed the upcoming TBT3-UD1 Docking Station in order to determine the impact of Apple’s decision and will be investigating options to make the docking station compatible with the new MakBook Pro. Plugable’s higher-end TBT-UDV Thunderbolt 3 dock uses a next-generation TI chip and so will already be compatible with Apple’s machine.

We expect that this will be an issue for many manufacturers and products, such as the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock announced today. If you’re the owner of a current Thunderbolt 3 device and hoped to use it with a 2016 MacBook Pro, then you’ll want to check with either Apple or the device manufacturer to see if it’s supported. There’s no word on the nature of the incompatibility, other than that the devices won’t work with the MacBook Pro — there’s no indication that a device or the MacBook Pro would be damaged if the two are connected.

The Plugable statement is dated November 1 and so is relatively recent. We will be contacting Apple and will update this story if we receive any new information.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mark Coppock
Mark Coppock
Computing Writer
Mark has been a geek since MS-DOS gave way to Windows and the PalmPilot was a thing. He’s translated his love for…
The biggest threat to the MacBook this year might come from Apple itself
The MacBook Air on a white table.

MacBooks have held a dominant position in the laptop world for the past few years. Though there have been meaningful rivals from the Windows side of the aisle, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro still feel like they hold an unshakeable lead at the moment.

But according to the latest reports, the most serious challenger to the MacBook's reign won't come from Windows -- it'll come from within Apple in the form of some very advanced new iPads.
What's a computer?

Read more
The case for buying the M2 MacBook Air over the M3 model
The screen of the MacBook Air M2.

Apple's MacBook Air M2 recently stood at the top of our list of best laptops, and for good reason. It's incredibly well-built, exuding an elegance that few laptops can match. It's also plenty fast for productivity users, and its GPU is optimized for creators. Its keyboard, touchpad, and display are all top-notch.

Enter the MacBook Air M3, which (hint) took over the MacBook Air's place on that list. The upgraded chipset offers even faster performance, particularly in GPU-intensive apps, and the M3 model supports an additional external display (with the display closed). It's $100 more, but is that uptick in price justified? Let's dig in.
Specs and configurations

Read more
Why you should buy a MacBook Pro instead of a MacBook Air
The 14-inch MacBook Pro on a window sill.

There are plenty of reasons to buy a MacBook Air instead of a MacBook Pro. If you want a MacBook on a budget, you don't necessarily need the goodies that come with upgrading to the MacBook Pro.

That being said, I'm going to argue for spending a little more. In my experience, the MacBook Pro offers several distinct advantages that help justify a higher price, especially with the introduction of the more affordable MacBook Pro 14 with the base M3. If you can stretch your budget a bit, here's why I think you should buy a MacBook Pro instead of a MacBook Air.
Setting the stage: pricing

Read more