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miniStack Max

Matthew9559

Matthew9559

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 7, 2007
941
55
Cleveland, OH
Not sure if this has been posted by what do you guys think about this product for the mini?

DSC_1570-VERGE_gallery_post.jpg


"Newer Technology will be offering the miniStack Max both as an empty kit and in preconfigured models with up to 4TB of disk storage — both 2.5 and 3.5-inch varieties are compatible — and a rewritable CD / DVD drive. Blu-ray will also be a build-to-order option, though you'll need to be running Windows to take advantage of said functionality as Apple continues to turn a blind eye to the platform. Around back you'll find ports aplenty: three USB 3.0 (which unfortunately fall back to 2.0 speeds on the Mac mini), eSATA, two FireWire 800, and a DC-in supplying power for the whole affair.

OWC says the miniStack Max will be available by the end of March, but the company has yet to finalize pricing."
-The Verge

Verge Link
Product Link

It obviously adds some bulk to the mini...but it looks great! I just hope the price is fairly reasonable.
 
Nice, but how does one connect it to the Mac?
I may see a Thunderbolt port on it, though it probably is just a USB IN, but the article and the product page don't even mention it. How should one take advantage of an eSATA port via USB 2.0 or Firewire 800?
 
simsaladimbamba said:
Nice, but how does one connect it to the Mac?
I may see a Thunderbolt port on it, though it probably is just a USB IN, but the article and the product page don't even mention it. How should one take advantage of an eSATA port via USB 2.0 or Firewire 800?
Click to expand...

no use sonnetech's adapter of course it is expensive

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._Echo_ExpressCard_34_Thunderbolt_Adapter.html


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732305-REG/Sonnet_TSATAII_E1P_E34_1_Port_Tempo_SATA_Edge.html


pushing a 200 dollar bill plus it does not boot.



quite frankly this would be a nice piece of gear if it had t-bolt. also a shorter t-bolt cable.


4tb in hdds a blu ray drive and t-bolt connectivity would sell to some people
 
Too late for me unfortunately.. :(

Might sell my external DVD and Bluray drives though, and get this instead..

Quite interested in the price though.
 
old-wiz said:
In our dreams...licensing issues drive up the cost.

I used the MiniStack on my first Mac mini, a PPC. It worked fine until the HDD started making noise and I stopped using it, but partly cause I bought an iMac 24".
Click to expand...

What license issues? There are no license costs for using TB. The parts themselves are expensive, but there are no license fees.
 
I really don't understand why they don't have a TB-connector here. That would have made it very useful, just put an SSD in the external case and WHAM, great addition :)
 
sbk1799 said:
Vaporware?
Click to expand...

A quick look at their website says that it is still comming, or more specifically this 4 days old comment: "We are experiencing a production delay. No firm updated ETA at this time.". But they've been saying "right around the corner" since march, so...
 
I received an Email from OWC stating that the miniStack Max would ship in August, no details on available configurations.
 
doherrick said:
I received an Email from OWC stating that the miniStack Max would ship in August, no details on available configurations.
Click to expand...

I hope that becomes reality because the product was announced almost a year ago. I have an old style miniStack and I like the enclosure better than others that I have used.

The pricing for the enclosure with a built-in optical drive may be too high for my taste. (The miniStacks have always been priced at a premium compared to other OWC enclosures.) I am considering adding a $40 drive from Amazon when I buy a Mac Mini after it is refreshed. But since I have an MBP with an optical drive I may be able to get by without it.
 
The miniStack enclosures have always been priced higher than comparable enclosures, usually around $50 more.

I own a MinStack v3, the last version before the redesigned miniStacks were announced in mid 2011. I like the design mainly because it saves some space. I haven't looked closely at the specs for the new enclosures but the v3 also doubles as a USB hub, so that is worth $20-$30 if you can replace a standard hub with a miniStack.

Since I am planning on getting a MacMini when the new models are announced I am inclined to get another miniStack if I can justify the price...
 
Part of the appeal of this, of course, is the Mac mini case design similarity. To get that (especially if it is truly aluminum) along with USB 3, FW 800 and eSata for less than $100 in a bare enclosure is worth it to me.

It does lack in the port expansion capabilities that the original Mac mini-like enclosures were providing.


Poki said:
That's probably the most expensive HDD enclosure on the market ... If someone doesn't need the FW800 ports, it probably isn't worth it.
Click to expand...
 
jdryyz said:
To get that (especially if it is truly aluminum)
.
Click to expand...

I read the article many months ago,so I don't remember.Is it going to be alloy? The first one that came out was plastic,and was loud.

I would be very interested in it if it has a TB connector. I have to believe it will have one since it has taken so long to get it to market.
 
I wound up getting the new MiniStack but it crashed my WiFi network. (I don't use Bluetooth.) USB 3.0 interference strikes again!

I returned it to OWC and received a full refund. I'm sticking with Mercury Elite Pro enclosures but they aren't problem-free: there is a USB 3.0 sleep issue that I am currently working with OWC tech support to find the cause and a fix. See the thread at https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1538580/.
 
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