Thunderbolt To Macbook Air Query

I have a 6TB Thunderbolt external device that i had with my iMac 27' - i no longer have the iMac instead i have a Macbook Air 11' Late 2010 which doesn't have a Thunderbolt port, only USB x2 and a mini display port

I have tried the Thunderbolt device/cable in the mini display port but nothing loads

Can anyone help on pointing me in the direction of a device/adaptor that will allow my Thunderbolt device to connect to the Macbook Air?

Can anyone help on pointing me in the direction of a device/adaptor that will allow my Thunderbolt device to connect to the Macbook Air?

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Thunderbolt is backward compatible with MiniDisplay Port, however, I don't believe it works the other way. In other words you can't adapt a MDP output to a thunderbolt device. You would need a TB output on your MacBook Air in order for it to work. Buy a new MacBook Air and that will resolve your problem.

Not really looking to buy a new Macbook, have heard there is a few adaptors

Don't believe there is anything that will permit you to do what you want.

Displayport is a video port - it is not a data port - the keyword here is "display" - specifically, it is a "video output" port - you definitely are not going to be able to use a displayport on a computer from a TB, FW, or USB external device.

I'd have to suggest you pop the drives out of the TB case and put them into a USB case to use them with that computer. And that's going to be a problem if it's some type of RAID device and you don't want to lose the data on those drives.

I've seen rumors that something is in development from one of the dock/adapter manufacturers but no indication of when it will be available. Theres lots of stuff to give thunderbolt-equipped Macs various ports but that does not help your situation.

As you don't want to "Buy a new MacBook Air and that will resolve your problem", (makes sense to me ;-) ) , what about just removing the drive and install it in a USB enclosure, assuming that the Thunderbolt external device contains a 6TB hard drive.

A USB enclosure would probably be cheaper than any adapter even if one did exist as the makers have to pay Apple their TB royalties which aren't cheap!! Oh yes, and add manufacturing permissions etc. I's say it ain't gonna happen!!

@pm-r

I thought that's what bobtomay said (above).

Yikes!!! Am I getting that blind that I missed that.

Sorry.

Well, at least the suggestion got reinforced. ;D