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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - Knowledge Base

[Thunder Dock] Can I boot Mac OS from an external drive connected to the dock?

It depends on the computer's EFI Boot ROM and SMC firmware version as well as the interface that is used. Following are some examples that we have tested for reference.

EFI Boot ROM and SMC version Mac OS X Interface Bootable
Computer: Mac Pro 6,1 (late 2013)
Boot ROM Version: MP61.0116.BO4
SMC Version: 2.20f16
10.9.2 Thunderbolt Yes
USB 3.0 Yes
FireWire 800 Yes
eSATA Yes
Computer: MacBook Air 6,1 (11-inch)
Boot ROM Version: MBA61.0099.B04
SMC Version: 2.12f135
10.9.2 Thunderbolt Yes
USB 3.0 Yes
FireWire 800 Yes
eSATA Yes
Computer: Mac mini 5,1
Boot ROM Version: MM51.0077.B10
SMC Version: 1.76f0
10.9.2 Thunderbolt Yes
USB 3.0 No
FireWire 800 Yes
eSATA Yes
Computer: MacBook Air 4,2 (13-inch, Mid 2011)
Boot ROM Version: MBA41.0077.B0F
SMC Version: 1.73f66
10.9.2 Thunderbolt Yes
USB 3.0 No
FireWire 800 Yes
eSATA Yes