How likely is it that Apple will release a Thunderbolt to USB 3.0 adapter?

[Ctrl-Opt-Del]

I can understand why they don't see the point in incorporating USB 3.0 into Macs, as Thunderbolt is the far superior IO; but it's also being adopted much slower.

While releasing such an adapter would, granted, slow the process of development of Thunderbolt peripherals; it would also mean a lot of people who were tempted to make the switch to Mac, but had a lot of USB 3.0 devices they didn't want to have to use at 2.0 speeds, would be able to switch without the performance hit (indeed, you could run several USB 3.0 devices through a single Thunderbolt port simultaneously).

In the long-run, I think it would work-out better for Mac sales.

I only ask all this as I'm an engineering student & have to use Windows, but still would like a Mac desktop in addition to my PC laptop. My laptop has USB 3.0 on it, & it would be useful if there was / will be some high-speed way of connecting the high-speed peripherals I use with my PC to my Mac (when I finally get it).

Cheers

 

[BrianLachoreVPI]

I think it's highly likely that someone will have one out eventually. There's another thread where a prototype is shown. I still wouldn't be surprised if Apple puts USB 3.0 on its products eventually - in addition to Thunderbolt. It is a little frustrating right now - to not be able to use Thunderbolt for much of anything - unless you want to shell out 1k.

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/apple-desktops/254672-4-port-usb-hub-mod-27-imac.html#post1317673

 

[osxx]

The newer Intel chips are supposed to support USB 3.0 so I would not be surprised if they are not incorporated in the next MacBook Pros. It would be nice to have USB 2.0/3.0, FW800 and Thunderport.