M1 Mac Mini - External Storage

[ivnj]

Also looks good. 4 ssd in 1 covenient pouch.

USB 3.0 2.5" 4-Bay RAID Supporting Hard Drive/SSD Docking Station with Fan

FALSE

www.sabrent.com

 

[harriska2]

Because storage has become so cheap it is also clear we have gotten some digital hoarders out there ...

I resemble that remark. That said, I didn't think 20 TB was hoarding ... 😆

 

[trevoz]

For potential Mac Mini M1 users who have a large storage capacity needs:

Get the base capacity M1 and get the Hagibis Hub/Dock with integrated SSD storage slot and an SSD.
You save hundreds of $ this way.

Be aware that this is limited to 5Gbps, so it's reasonably ok for an internal SATA SSD (I'm using a Samsung 1Tb 860 EVO for Time Machine).

Issues:

* All the USB-A ports are upside-down <meh>
* My wife cannot use any of its ports for her keyboard and mouse WiFi dongles (strange things happen - Logitech mouse randomly goes 1/50 speed, Microsoft keyboard is intermittently flaky).
* My Time Machine SSD often gives an ejected w/o unmounting warning - to re-energise it I've compiled and installed uhubctl - https://github.com/mvp/uhubctl - to turn the internal USB data port for the SSD on again. The TM snapshots seem unaffected by the random premature ejections.

I'm using one on an M1 Mac mini and one on an Intel (my wife's has one on her Intel Mac mini).

 

[redbill2]

is anyone using Network storage as their primary external with the Mac Mini? or do you all stick with hard-wired for fear of slow read/write times?

 

[harriska2]

Be aware that this is limited to 5Gbps, so it's reasonably ok for an internal SATA SSD (I'm using a Samsung 1Tb 860 EVO for Time Machine).

Issues:

* All the USB-A ports are upside-down <meh>
* My wife cannot use any of its ports for her keyboard and mouse WiFi dongles (strange things happen - Logitech mouse randomly goes 1/50 speed, Microsoft keyboard is intermittently flaky).
* My Time Machine SSD often gives an ejected w/o unmounting warning - to re-energise it I've compiled and installed uhubctl - https://github.com/mvp/uhubctl - to turn the internal USB data port for the SSD on again. The TM snapshots seem unaffected by the random premature ejections.

I'm using one on an M1 Mac mini and one on an Intel (my wife's has one on her Intel Mac mini).

Why can't your wife use any of the ports (USB A ports on the mini?) for her mouse or keyboard? I'm using a junky hub with power supply and my plugged in Dell keyboard and plugged in magic trackpad 2 work fine on my 2018 mini with intel chip.

 

[blade.k]

I used

Stardom ST4-TB3+ 4bays Thunderbolt3 + 10TB HDD *4​

looks working good
but G-SPEED Shuttle XL with Thunderbolt 2 M1 BigSur can detectived device but no volume in disk utility

 

[Lemon Olive]

There is no good, modern way to do this. You're better off with internal storage for anything that's not the typical "external" stuff. Trying to use an external for Home Folder stuff with iCloud Drive in the mix is just not going to work.

I have an 8 TB RAID for external storage for things I don't want or need in iCloud, but I make sure all my Macs have at least 1 TB of internal storage so that i can use iCloud Drive normally for Desktop, Documents, and app storage.

 

[sticeculture]

Hooked up 12tb graid thunderbolt 3 drive to owc thunderbolt 4 hub to the Mac Mini M1 8gb memory. My read and write are 200–240. Is this the fastest speeds I’m going get? If so what external would work better for that much footage. Editing a film and working with lots of footage.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Hooked up 12tb graid thunderbolt 3 drive to owc thunderbolt 4 hub to the Mac Mini M1 8gb memory. My read and write are 200–240. Is this the fastest speeds I’m going get? If so what external would work better for that much footage. Editing a film and working with lots of footage."

Are the drives that are INSIDE platter-based?

What are your "storage requirements" in terms of actual space needed to complete the project on which you're working?

If you want more speed, do this:
- Get an nvme blade drive (I think 2tb may be the largest size available, and that won't be cheap).
- Get a USB3.1 gen2 enclosure
- Put the drive into the enclosure, format it to HFS+ (Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format)
- Use that for your "external working drive".

This will give you read speeds in the 800+/-MBps range, and you should see writes coming in around 650MBps or better.

A "straight" tbolt3 SSD (such as the Samsung X5) will give you reads in the 2,000+ range, but they're pricey and they can run HOT. If they get TOO hot, the speeds will be "throttled back" significantly...

 

[sticeculture]

"Hooked up 12tb graid thunderbolt 3 drive to owc thunderbolt 4 hub to the Mac Mini M1 8gb memory. My read and write are 200–240. Is this the fastest speeds I’m going get? If so what external would work better for that much footage. Editing a film and working with lots of footage."

Are the drives that are INSIDE platter-based?

What are your "storage requirements" in terms of actual space needed to complete the project on which you're working?

If you want more speed, do this:
- Get an nvme blade drive (I think 2tb may be the largest size available, and that won't be cheap).
- Get a USB3.1 gen2 enclosure
- Put the drive into the enclosure, format it to HFS+ (Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format)
- Use that for your "external working drive".

This will give you read speeds in the 800+/-MBps range, and you should see writes coming in around 650MBps or better.

A "straight" tbolt3 SSD (such as the Samsung X5) will give you reads in the 2,000+ range, but they're pricey and they can run HOT. If they get TOO hot, the speeds will be "throttled back" significantly...

Here is a pic and specs of what I got. Unfortunately it’s for a film so I need the the entire 12tb active. I would be alright if I could at least get 400mbs. Was hoping Mac mini could do it. R3d footage is big. Thanks the suggestions! Really appreciate it.

 

[Dockland]

What are you guys doing in terms of storage on the M1 Mini?

I'm considering one as a cheap way to try out the M1 lifestyle, but put off by the upgrade pricing (and not being able to take advantage of sales) for larger BTO storage options.

Anyone in here just doing "base M1 Mini" and using external storage to cover your needs there?

I'd love to hear what solutions you are rolling with if so.
I wonder about throwing an NVME stick into an enclosure with fast I/O for instance

Thx

Almost created a topic on this, and Macrumors forum did som magic when creating and i found this.

I've just ordered a Samsung 870 QVO 8TB SSD (& ICY BOX USB Type-C enclosure for 2.5“SATA drives).
Have a question about best practice. Id like to store all my photos, with a sync to my iCloud if that is possible?
Thinking of partitioning the external drive and use some of it as Time machine backup. Never used TM before, but is it doable?

 

[circatee]

Well, I went with the 512GB Mac Mini, and that was mainly because 256GB was hard to find. In addition, I am thinking if we ever get the option to use Boot Camp or something to install Windows, I would like the space locally available.

For Time Machine backups, I am using a Samsung SSD, via an enclosure (USB A). Alas, there are issue there, "SOCD report detected: (AP watchdog expired)". A conversation for another day...

​

 

[dimme]

I use a mini as my home file server and I am looking for a 2 or 4 bay usb or TB enclosure to hold 4 spinning drives. I have some older USB 3 OWC dual enclosures but the mini wants to eject them after 4 hours on so. I talked with OWC and they said it's a MI Mac problem. I really don't want to spend the $$$ on the OWC thunderbay 4 The system runs 24/7. I tried out a OWC Gemini which worked out good but the drives ran way too hot. I looking to spend <$200.

 

[utazdevl]

I use a mini as my home file server and I am looking for a 2 or 4 bay usb or TB enclosure to hold 4 spinning drives. I have some older USB 3 OWC dual enclosures but the mini wants to eject them after 4 hours on so. I talked with OWC and they said it's a MI Mac problem. I really don't want to spend the $$$ on the OWC thunderbay 4 The system runs 24/7. I tried out a OWC Gemini which worked out good but the drives ran way too hot. I looking to spend <$200.

I have this one attached to an M1 Mac Mini and use it as my Home Media Server. It works perfect and have never once had it eject drives without good reason (like a power disconnect):

TERRAMASTER D4-300 USB 3.1(Gen1) Type-C Storage External Hard Drive Enclosure Hot Swappable (EOL, Upgrade to USB 3.2 10Gbps D4-320)

The TerraMaster D4-300 is a hot-Swappable USB 3.0 Type-C tool-free external hard drive enclosure with smart safety protections (hard drives not included users need to purchase hard drives as needed) (this is a DAS, NOT a NAS).

smile.amazon.com

 

[dimme]

I have this one attached to an M1 Mac Mini and use it as my Home Media Server. It works perfect and have never once had it eject drives without good reason (like a power disconnect):

TERRAMASTER D4-300 USB 3.1(Gen1) Type-C Storage External Hard Drive Enclosure Hot Swappable (EOL, Upgrade to USB 3.2 10Gbps D4-320)

The TerraMaster D4-300 is a hot-Swappable USB 3.0 Type-C tool-free external hard drive enclosure with smart safety protections (hard drives not included users need to purchase hard drives as needed) (this is a DAS, NOT a NAS).

smile.amazon.com

Thanks! Does it do a good jib keeping the drives cool?

 

[utazdevl]

Thanks! Does it do a good jib keeping the drives cool?

Bought specifically for that reason. I had been losing drives about once a year in their native enclosures (because they are constantly on). I don't think I have lost any since buying this one.

Of course, now I have jinxed it.