My heart is set on an M2 Pro. It has standard 16GB which it must have, faster 512GB standard storage and 4 USB C ports. However, my workload is 80% Creative Cloud and the consensus seems to be that a base M2 is more than up to the job, albeit upgraded to 16GB, which was always going to be the desired amount, plus 512GB SSD. But my issue is with ports. Most importantly, I need to connect 2 monitors and 2 external SSDs. For the SSDs, my intention is to have one as my main work storage (1 or 2 TB) and work directly off it. I don't need massively fast transfer times and a reasonably cheap Sandisk SSD offers 1GB/s read/write. The other is a Time machine backup. One screen (possibly 5k) can run off the internal HDMI port. But I need to find a way to connect the 2nd screen. I have a USB-C hub from my MacBook which has an HDMI port on it, but will need a USB-A converter to connect it to one of the mini's remaining empty USB-A ports. So after all of that, question is - what would driving a 4k screen be like over USB-A? Can it achieve 60hz? If it's going to be a poor experience, I guess stumping up for the Pro is the way to go. Thanks.
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Base M2 ports
- Thread starter dazzer21-2
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Connect the SSD to USB-A using an adapter, you aren't running the monitors off USB-A without using something like DisplayLink which I don't recommend.
This. Most 5K Screens have their own USB-Hub. Connect the SSD to the Screen. Ive done so myself. I'm using a non-Pro M2 Mini with an ASD. I bought a Dual Slot SSD Mount for the ASD from Etsy:
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Finde das perfekte handgemachte Geschenk, trendige und Vintage-Kleidung, ganz besonderen Schmuck und mehr… vieles mehr.
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If there isn't a similar thing for your chosen display just velcro the drives to the back.
I have one of these for my M1 mini and it works very well. It also has a built in M.2 SSD slot (SATA only), so that would kill two birds with one stone. I don’t really understand why you need to connect the hub you have to a USB-A port with an adapter. It probably wouldn’t work anyway if you want to use the HDMI port on it as that is only possible through a type C connection.
satechi.net
Stand & Hub for Mac Mini with SSD Enclosure
satechi.net
I have one of these and it works really well. I like that it provides TB4 port expansion, instead of slower ports like on some of the other expansion hubs.
OWC 5 Port Thunderbolt Hub - 60W Charging, Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2, Compatible with Macs and PCs
The OWC Thunderbolt Hub lets you consolidate and simplify the connectivity between all your devices with all the Thunderbolt ports you’ve always wanted. The OWC Thunderbolt Hub’s four Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports and one USB port expand your connection possibilities. Compatible with Apple M1 Mac or ...
www.amazon.com
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so 2 ports are more than enough?I have one of these for my M1 mini and it works very well. It also has a built in M.2 SSD slot (SATA only), so that would kill two birds with one stone. I don’t really understand why you need to connect the hub you have to a USB-A port with an adapter. It probably wouldn’t work anyway if you want to use the HDMI port on it as that is only possible through a type C connection.
Stand & Hub for Mac Mini with SSD Enclosure
I considered buying this hub for my mini but I thought the placement of the ports is more suited for a Laptop than a stationary desktop computer as the DC power-in and the TB port you connect the computer with are on opposite sides of the hub. Isn’t that a problem or at least a major inconvenience?I have one of these and it works really well. I like that it provides TB4 port expansion, instead of slower ports like on some of the other expansion hubs.
OWC 5 Port Thunderbolt Hub - 60W Charging, Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2, Compatible with Macs and PCs
The OWC Thunderbolt Hub lets you consolidate and simplify the connectivity between all your devices with all the Thunderbolt ports you’ve always wanted. The OWC Thunderbolt Hub’s four Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports and one USB port expand your connection possibilities. Compatible with Apple M1 Mac or ...www.amazon.com
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
The Thunderbolt 4 cable it comes with is pretty long, which gives you some flexibility. I have used it two ways:
- I have a desk that I installed a cable management shelf behind, and I have had it sitting in there out of sight
- I have placed it on the back of a desk, laying sideways, with three TB cables going towards my Thunderbolt enclosures, and the front cable going towards my Mac
This is my setup that I use with a Base 8GB Mini.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/post-your-mac-mini-setups.2157018/post-31979973
I have 2 monitors hooked up although one is 4k and the other only sub-1080 I use for monitoring VHS tapes. My monitor does not play nice with 4k 60hz over HDMI from the Mini although that isn't saying yours will or will not either.
If your monitor plays nice with the Mini you can use one C port for Monitor and the HDMI port for the other.
I'd highly recommend getting a Thunderbolt 3/4 dock to plug in your USB devices. I have a Lenovo 40AC and despite only being Thunderbolt 3, it gets the job done for external SSDs. They can be had for under $40.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=lenovo+40ac&_sacat=0
I'm not sure what you mean. The base model has 4 USB ports, 2 type A and 2 type C. I can get by with it but more ports are always welcomed. The hub I mentioned effectively adds 3 type A ports, a pair of card readers, and a slot for an SSD over the base configuration, making it very useful for my needs, hence my recommendation.