Does this adapter support bidirectional data transfer, want to add a sudo usb 3.0 port to my mid 2011 mac mini

OK basically I want to add a usb 3.0 port to my old but still kicking mid 2011 mac mini. I already upped the ram to 16gb ( apple you liar with the 8gb max ) and im about to upgrade my slow stock HDD to a SSD. Now my dilemma is as follows

1) I am well aware of the kanex thunderbolt to usb 3.0 adapter but not willing to shell out $79.99 yet unless this is my only option unless someone with a similar mid 2011 mac mini has evidence to prove it works

2) Basically since the description on the apple site states
"As a bidirectional adapter, it can also connect new Thunderbolt 3 devices to a Mac with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port and macOS
Sierra."
So if this adapter is truly bidirectional as is stated ---- if i buy this + a male thunderbolt to male thunderbolt cable which id connect to my mac and the other end to the female thunderbolt port on this adapter would i then be able to either
a) connect the male usb-c to a gender changer adapter female usb-c to female usb 3.0 type A connection thus allowing me to
connect my usb 3.0 hub i have already giving me at least noticeably faster data transfer speeds vs the slow usb 2.0 ports

b) buy a usb 3.1 micro B to a usb - c female cable to use my external HDD

i know i should eventually upgrade to a new mac but my mid 2011 mac mini is still working strong

Answer

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

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  • This won't work since the apple adapter doesn't pass power to the SSD enclosure. I bought a thunderbolt 2 SSD to plug into the iMac thunder2 port and it really speeds the imac up. I also got a usb 3 enclosure with ssd and it won't work (no power). If you bought a self powered enclosure it might work, but I haven't found one that is inexpensive.

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