I have a [Mac mini (Mid 2011)](https://support.apple.com/kb/sp632?locale=en_US) and I want to use an external SSD ([Samsung Portable SSD T5](https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/product/portable/t5/)) with it. Now the problem is that Mac mini (Mid 2011) only has:

* Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps) (not Thunderbolt 3, perhaps Thunderbolt 2) :-(
* Four USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)

I guess that the only way I can leverage the speed of the external SSD is by using it thru the Thunderbolt port. The external SSD is back compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. But AFAIK using it on one of the USB 2.0 ports will defeat the whole purpose of using a SSD. Please correct me if I'm wrong here.

So, I tried to find a Thunderbolt 2 to USB Type-C cable, but couldn't find it anywhere. Only items which I could find are **USB C to Mini Display Port Cables** but they specifically state that they:

* Supports video only (not data transfer)
* Check for a Mini DisplayPort port (not a Thunderbolt / Thunderbolt 2 port

I also found that using these:

* [Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter](https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter)
* with an [Apple Thunderbolt Cable](https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD861LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-cable-20-m)

can (possibly) resolve the issue, but these items are super expensive. I was hoping to spend a little less on the connectors.

So, essentially I want to use a high-speed external SSD with an ancient machine. Is there any way I can do that?