Add USB Type-A ports to your new Mac mini with this nifty hub
Possibly the nicest-looking hub for the new Mac mini?
#satechi #macmini #usbhub
Satechi Mac mini Stand & Hub with NVMe Enclosure. Photo: Satechi
Accessory maker Satechi has a new USB hub designed to work with Apple’s newest Mac mini.
To recap, the new Mac mini has been completely redesigned. The new model is considerably smaller than its predecessor and is powered by Apple’s latest M4 and M4 Pro chips.
However, because of its compact size, Apple has decided to eschew USB Type-A ports on the new Mac mini. Though not necessarily an outright dealbreaker, it's an inconvenience to users who still rely on USB-A accessories like keyboards and mice.
This is where Satechi’s new Mac mini Stand & Hub with NVMe Enclosure comes in. Made of aluminium, the hub was designed to allow the Mac mini to be perfectly perched on top of it. Crucially, it has three USB-A ports in the front as well as an SD card reader.
Two of the USB-A ports support USB 3.2, which means speeds of up to 10Gbps. The third supports USB 2.0, and therefore only speeds of up to 480Mbps.
Furthermore, the hub also doubles as storage expansion because it’s capable of accommodating M.2 SSDs. According to the company, the hub can accept M.2 2230/2242/2260/2280 SSDs of up to 4TB in capacity and support speeds up to 10Gbps.
Based on first impressions, the Satechi Mac mini Stand & Hub with NVMe Enclosure seems to address the main shortcomings of the new Mac mini – that is its lack of USB-A ports and SD card reader. The ability to expand storage is also a helpful addition, especially when you consider how much Apple charges for storage upgrades. Its design must be also a main selling point since it integrates so nicely with the Mac mini.
Availability and pricing
Satechi has neither confirmed how much the hub will cost nor when it will be available. However, interested readers can register their interest on Satechi’s website and receive a 20% discount when it’s available to order.
To provide some pricing context, Satechi’s existing hub for the last-generation Mac mini costs US$99.99 (S$134).
Source: Satechi
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