Mac Mini-styled USB hub?

GizmoDVD · Jan 12, 2013, 07:52 PM

Looking to add some more USB ports to my Mac Mini and was hoping someone would have a good suggestion. I would like it to be powered so I could charge my iPhone, iPad etc. I see Belkin makes one that sits underneath the Mini but I'm not sure how compatible it is with a 2012 Mini.

phrehdd · Jan 12, 2013, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

Looking to add some more USB ports to my Mac Mini and was hoping someone would have a good suggestion. I would like it to be powered so I could charge my iPhone, iPad etc. I see Belkin makes one that sits underneath the Mini but I'm not sure how compatible it is with a 2012 Mini.

There are lots of USB splitters out there but I tend to like to maximize utility.

You may want to check out OWC and look at

- Macessity products
and
- Mini Stack (empty) which is an external drive unit (same size as the Mini) that has additional ports.

I had one of the Belkin units you described (older model I suppose) and it was well - lacking and inconsistent. However a friend of mine wanted it so it made a Mac pal gift.

ctyrider · Jan 12, 2013, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

Looking to add some more USB ports to my Mac Mini and was hoping someone would have a good suggestion. I would like it to be powered so I could charge my iPhone, iPad etc. I see Belkin makes one that sits underneath the Mini but I'm not sure how compatible it is with a 2012 Mini.

Here's the one I have:
http://www.satechi.net/index.php/com...ium-4-port-usb

Perfect fit with Mac style.

GizmoDVD · Jan 12, 2013, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctyrider

Here's the one I have:
http://www.satechi.net/index.php/com...ium-4-port-usb

Perfect fit with Mac style.

But I power to charge iPhone, iPad etc

ctyrider · Jan 12, 2013, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

But I power to charge iPhone, iPad etc

You can charge iPhone with this hub. I am not sure about iPad though.

desaturated · Jan 13, 2013, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctyrider

Here's the one I have:
http://www.satechi.net/index.php/com...ium-4-port-usb

Perfect fit with Mac style.

nice hub. but too bad they are only usb 2.0

ant69 · Jan 13, 2013, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctyrider

Here's the one I have:
http://www.satechi.net/index.php/com...ium-4-port-usb

Perfect fit with Mac style.

Shame it's only USB 2.0. Anyone seen any similarly 3.0?

Ant

Mojo1 · Jan 13, 2013, 10:32 PM

A warning about the MiniStack: it causes interference with Bluetooth and WiFi when using USB 3.0. OWC sells an optional shielding kit for the Mac Mini Bluetooth antenna but it requires disassembling the Mini to install it. There is no fix for the WiFi issue; apparently I was the first person to report it. It affects WiFi networks using 2.4GHz.

I returned the MiniStack and OWC refunded the entire purchase price without charging me the usual 15% restocking fee for an open-box return. So that is a tacit acknowledgement of a problem with the MiniStack...

ActionableMango · Jan 14, 2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo1

A warning about the MiniStack: it causes interference with Bluetooth and WiFi when using USB 3.0. OWC sells an optional shielding kit for the Mac Mini Bluetooth antenna but it requires disassembling the Mini to install it. There is no fix for the WiFi issue; apparently I was the first person to report it. It affects WiFi networks using 2.4GHz.

I returned the MiniStack and OWC refunded the entire purchase price without charging me the usual 15% restocking fee for an open-box return. So that is a tacit acknowledgement of a problem with the MiniStack...

This is a problem with USB 3.0 in general, not just MiniStack and the Mac Mini. Same thing happens in PCs, Mac Pro, and any external USB 3.0 hard drive.

Mojo1 · Jan 17, 2013, 10:22 AM

It's not a problem with the OWC Mercury Elite Pro enclosures.

But I have a different problem: the drives will not spin-down when the Mac is powered-off. When connected via FW800 the problem goes away.

I'm working with OWC to find out if is a defective enclosure (not likely since both of my new enclosures are affected...) or something else.

brand · Jan 17, 2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phrehdd

There are lots of USB splitters out there

There are lots of USB hubs out there. A hub is not the same thing as a splitter.

dogmusic · Jan 18, 2013, 08:22 AM

I bought this powered USB 3.0 hub from a local computer store and it works fine:

http://www.connectland.com.hk/main/p...ail.php?id=966

Since all the devices I have plugged into it are self-powered, I ended up unplugging the AC adapter and using it as a passive hub.

tradis · Jan 31, 2013, 06:22 PM

I was thinking about buying the Satechi 4-port as well, but it's 2.0. Their Facebook page shows development of a 7-port 3.0, so I might just wait for that.

jhfenton · Jan 31, 2013, 07:33 PM

I've had good luck with USpeed (now Anker) USB 3.0 hubs. This one is aluminum, and much smaller than it looks in the picture. (It is nearly $50, though, because it is a 10-port.)

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Uspee...uspeed+usb+3.0

http://www.ianker.com/product/68UPHUB-S10U#sp

magebarf · Feb 1, 2013, 05:00 AM

Didn't see the Icon Cube Hub mentioned here yet, so I'll just pitch this link in:

http://icon-global.com/Controllers_U...s_Cube+Hub.htm

Haven't seen any retailer near me that sells it, but there are some in Europe, for a price of about 40€...

Giuly · Feb 1, 2013, 05:07 AM

While it isn't one that sits under your mini, the Belkin 3.0 SuperSpeed hub at least matches it somewhat in design.

Jan 12, 2013, 07:52 PM	#1
GizmoDVD macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal	Mac Mini-styled USB hub? Looking to add some more USB ports to my Mac Mini and was hoping someone would have a good suggestion. I would like it to be powered so I could charge my iPhone, iPad etc. I see Belkin makes one that sits underneath the Mini but I'm not sure how compatible it is with a 2012 Mini. __________________ Air 2012, Mac Mini 2012 - 27 TB/23 ACD, Phone 5, iPad 3, iPad Mini
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Jan 13, 2013, 10:32 PM	#8
Mojo1 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2011	A warning about the MiniStack: it causes interference with Bluetooth and WiFi when using USB 3.0. OWC sells an optional shielding kit for the Mac Mini Bluetooth antenna but it requires disassembling the Mini to install it. There is no fix for the WiFi issue; apparently I was the first person to report it. It affects WiFi networks using 2.4GHz. I returned the MiniStack and OWC refunded the entire purchase price without charging me the usual 15% restocking fee for an open-box return. So that is a tacit acknowledgement of a problem with the MiniStack...
	1

Jan 17, 2013, 10:22 AM	#10
Mojo1 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2011	It's not a problem with the OWC Mercury Elite Pro enclosures. But I have a different problem: the drives will not spin-down when the Mac is powered-off. When connected via FW800 the problem goes away. I'm working with OWC to find out if is a defective enclosure (not likely since both of my new enclosures are affected...) or something else.
	0

Jan 18, 2013, 08:22 AM	#12
dogmusic macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ontario	I bought this powered USB 3.0 hub from a local computer store and it works fine: http://www.connectland.com.hk/main/p...ail.php?id=966 Since all the devices I have plugged into it are self-powered, I ended up unplugging the AC adapter and using it as a passive hub.
	0

Jan 31, 2013, 06:22 PM	#13
tradis macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Santa Ana, CA	I was thinking about buying the Satechi 4-port as well, but it's 2.0. Their Facebook page shows development of a 7-port 3.0, so I might just wait for that.
	0

Jan 31, 2013, 07:33 PM	#14
jhfenton macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2012	I've had good luck with USpeed (now Anker) USB 3.0 hubs. This one is aluminum, and much smaller than it looks in the picture. (It is nearly $50, though, because it is a 10-port.) http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Uspee...uspeed+usb+3.0 http://www.ianker.com/product/68UPHUB-S10U#sp
	0

Feb 1, 2013, 05:00 AM	#15
magebarf macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Stockholm - Sweden	Didn't see the Icon Cube Hub mentioned here yet, so I'll just pitch this link in: http://icon-global.com/Controllers_U...s_Cube+Hub.htm Haven't seen any retailer near me that sells it, but there are some in Europe, for a price of about 40€...
	0

Feb 1, 2013, 05:07 AM	#16
Giuly macrumors 68030 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: That depends whether you ask for timezone, state of mind or GPS coordinates.	While it isn't one that sits under your mini, the Belkin 3.0 SuperSpeed hub at least matches it somewhat in design.
	0