At a look
Skilled’s Ranking
Execs
- Provides ports to the entrance of Mac mini
- Provides SSD enclosure for cheap additional storage
- New model helps NVMe M.2 SSD
Cons
- 10Gbps USB, not 40Gbps Thunderbolt
Our Verdict
This reasonably priced and handsome hub-stand for the Mac mini affords a variety of helpful front-facing ports lacking from the Mac mini itself, and cheap inner storage–and the most recent model helps each SATA M.2 SSDs and quicker NVMe M.2 SSDs.
Worth When Reviewed
£89.99
Suitable with: Mac mini M2 & M2 Professional 2023; Mac mini M1 2020; Mac Studio
Measurement: 7.8 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
Ports:
- 1x USB-C (10Gbps)
- 3x USB-A (10Gbps)
- SD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)
- microSD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Inside SSD enclosure
Whereas Apple’s Mac mini is a tiny powerhouse of a pc blessed with a variety of ports on its again, its entrance face is unhelpfully naked, devoid of even one useful port or slot. There’s nothing however a little bit mild to point out that it’s on. Apple actually put the “mini” in “minimal” when it got here to the head-on seems to be of its diminutive desktop pc.
The Mac Studio has the identical width and depth because the Mac mini however is taller. The Mac Studio additionally boasts two 10Gbps USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4 on the M1 Extremely mannequin) and an SD card reader on its entrance. On the again, the Mac Studio and M2 Professional Mac mini ports are the identical, whereas the entry-level M2 Mac mini has two fewer Thunderbolt 4 ports.
The Satechi Stand & Hub for Mac mini fixes the mini’s naked entrance face by including 4 USB ports, each SD and microSD card reader slots, and three.5mm audio jack port. The inclusion of the cardboard readers is necessary for the reason that mini lacks this entry level for cheap transportable storage. The cardboard readers are rated at UHS-I (104MBps)–312MBps UHS-II would have provided speedier transfers, however most customers received’t discover the distinction. A 512GB microSD card prices about $60/£50 on-line–a super-cheap means of including storage.
Satechi has up to date this stand/hub with quicker connections, and most significantly help for each quicker NVMe M.2 SSDs in addition to SATA M.2 SSDs.
The USB ports are actually rated at 10Gbps for information switch—up from 5Gbps however nonetheless not as speedy because the Mac mini’s 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 connections. The Satechi’s rival Mac mini hub, the OWC miniStack STX, does supply 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 however is available in 2.5x the value for the privilege. 10Gbps must be ample for many non-pro primary data-transfer wants.
Satechi says that the Stand & Hub’s USB ports are information solely and should not able to charging, though in our exams we have been in a position to cost an Apple Watch and iPhone moderately rapidly utilizing the Stand & Hub’s USB ports.
The Stand & Hub additionally fixes one other main Mac mini limitation: the non-user-upgradeable inner storage. if you’d like greater than the bottom 512GB storage within the Mac mini, Apple makes you pay handsomely on the time of buy (upgrading to 1TB prices $200/£200) after which doesn’t allow you to later improve the storage your self.
Inside this mini accent is an enclosure the place you possibly can set up an SSD inner storage board. It’s cheaper compared to Apple’s build-to-order choices–a 1TB inner SSD prices round $50/£50.
Foundry
The hub sits completely underneath the Mac mini, so making the mixed pair of gadgets seem like a slim Mac Studio however with extra useful frontal ports. It connects to the pc through an built-in USB-C cable in the back of the hub. The ports are USB slightly than Thunderbolt and rated at 10Gbps (gigabits per second) in comparison with Thunderbolt’s 40Gbps.
Whereas the unique model lacked help for NVMe M.2 SSDs, the most recent model permits you to select your SSD normal. NVMe M.2 SSDs (with theoretical switch speeds of as much as 20Gbps) are extra performance-driven than SATA M.2 SSDs (max 6Gbps). Nonetheless, that max 6Gbps restrict implies that the hub’s 10Gbps USB bandwidth is ok and there’s no USB bottleneck. Many individuals don’t want blistering storage speeds and may preserve any information that want low-latency quick efficiency on the Mac mini’s personal speedy inner SSD and transfer extra archival storage on the enclosure’s SSD.
Foundry
NVMe SSD boards are extra frequent than SATA M.2 SSDs lately. Putting in the SSD contained in the Stand & Hub is easy, and the correct-sized screwdriver and screw are included.
This stand hub additionally matches underneath Apple’s Mac Studio, so it’s a reasonable means so as to add quick storage to Apple’s latest pro-level desktop, too.
When you don’t want the additional cupboard space, Satechi additionally affords its Stand & Hub for Mac mini in a mannequin with out an SSD enclosure for $20 much less. We’d advocate spending the additional for the Stand & Hub for Mac mini with SSD Enclosure as chances are you’ll end up needing the additional cupboard space later down the road.
The Satechi Stand & Hub for Mac mini with NVMe SSD Enclosure is out there in Silver coloration solely, like the most recent fashions of Mac mini itself. The mannequin with out the enclosure can be out there in a Area Grey coloration, so will match the 2018 Mac mini mannequin, with which it’s appropriate–the mannequin with the SSD enclosure is just not appropriate with the older Mac mini.
For extra Mac mini accent choices, learn our characteristic on The best way to improve the M2 and M2 Professional Mac mini.
Backside line
The Satechi Stand & Hub for Mac mini with NVMe SSD Enclosure affords a reasonable repair to 2 of the Mac mini’s limitations: no front-facing ports and glued, non-upgradeable inner storage. Including a terabyte or two through the SSD bay will prevent tons of in comparison with shopping for from Apple.
