M1 Mini Docks/Hubs

sporez

sporez

macrumors regular
What docks/hubs are everyone using for the new mini to expand connectivity? I need a few more USB ports and a card reader would be nice. Also need to connect an external 2.5" SSD for extra storage. There's so many options and I'm trying to keep BT interference to a minimum.
 
If and when I get myself an M1 I intend ordering Caldigit TS3 +.
It's expensive but it seems it does everything.
There may well be less expensive ones but that's the one I'll choose.
See what others have to say. I'll be watching too :)
 
I’ve got this one on order. If it does what they claim, and my M1 MacMini doesn’t introduce any issues it should be good. Not cheap. My goal is to free up some ports on the MacMini itself buy using this. I’ll follow up once it arrives.


eshop.macsales.com

OWC 11-Port Thunderbolt Dock for Mac & Thunderbolt PCs

Expand your workstation with the OWC 11-Port Thunderbolt 4 Dock. Connect all your peripherals, displays, & devices with ease. Simplify your setup now!
eshop.macsales.com eshop.macsales.com
 
I'm looking at this one for my MBA. Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core

I like it because it uses USB-C Power Delivery instead of a DC barrel connector. And it has the ports that I need. I'd like it to be a little cheaper though considering it comes without a power supply.
 
I just received the Caldigit TS3 today. Everything works great and really cleans the desk up. Just one thunder bolt 3 cable to connect to the Mac. I might mount it under the desk for a wire free look.
 
Thunderbolt can be chained by design, unfortunately a lot of the adapters come without a port to chain to.

If you seek an actual TB4 hub:
www.owcdigital.com

OWC Thunderbolt Hub: More Ports, More Power, More Creativity

Enhance your setup with 3 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and 1 USB 3.2 port. Perfect for creatives needing seamless access to storage, displays, and accessories.
www.owcdigital.com www.owcdigital.com
That multiplies one of your ports into 3 of them + an USB-A port if you still have USB-A devices

That hub: connect the adapters you need and you're set for a long time to come no matter how your needs change.

A dock without adapters: Just remember that they tend to not be a TB hub. So they are far less versatile.
Make sure to match your needs to the ports it has, but I'd not invest too much money in them. I have a few - not used anymore as we managed to switch next to everything away from USB-A (just a single USB-C to USB-A adapter for the occasional thumb-drive that we might need to connect to)


Most of the paradigm why people seek to get these is because they resist switching to USB-C away from USB-A. We took the opposite direction, and embraced USB-C as soon as possible. It's been great for us so far.
 
Thunderbolt docks are all pretty expensive, sadly. USB-C docks are mostly fine as long as you aren't looking to saturate the single port with stuff.

I have the Satechi, and it worked with the 2018, but tended to make the fans run a little harder. With the M1 that won't be nearly as much of a concern. I just haven't bothered to plug it in to try yet.
 
Anybody know which USB-C hub supports both PD-in and Display Out in the USB-C port? My monitor supports charging with the USB-C port. I bought the this Anker USB-C hub but when plugged in, while the M1 MBA charges, display doesn't come up. So, right now, I am using the first port directly connected to my external monitor while the second port for this hub.

I am also noticing that though there is a USB-C port with support up to 10GB/s, the disk speed (when I tested) is significant less when the same disk is connected directly to the M1 MBA port. So, I am not happy with this hub and might return it.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Sadly in my experience so far, trying various hubs, i could never get more than one HDD or maybe two to run at the same time, before the power draw had them switching off and on. I tried hubs with 2 TB connectors, some with just one.

only thing that works and consistently for me, so far is the Caldigit TS3 +, but its a tough pill to swallow price wise.

it currently has 2 x HDD, 1 x SSD, 1 x Thunderbolt to monitor, 1 x wireless charger for cell, all attached and never skips a beat, 1 cable to M1 MBA.
 
s66 said:
Thunderbolt can be chained by design, unfortunately a lot of the adapters come without a port to chain to.

If you seek an actual TB4 hub:
www.owcdigital.com

OWC Thunderbolt Hub: More Ports, More Power, More Creativity

Enhance your setup with 3 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and 1 USB 3.2 port. Perfect for creatives needing seamless access to storage, displays, and accessories.
www.owcdigital.com www.owcdigital.com
That multiplies one of your ports into 3 of them + an USB-A port if you still have USB-A devices

That hub: connect the adapters you need and you're set for a long time to come no matter how your needs change.

A dock without adapters: Just remember that they tend to not be a TB hub. So they are far less versatile.
Make sure to match your needs to the ports it has, but I'd not invest too much money in them. I have a few - not used anymore as we managed to switch next to everything away from USB-A (just a single USB-C to USB-A adapter for the occasional thumb-drive that we might need to connect to)


Most of the paradigm why people seek to get these is because they resist switching to USB-C away from USB-A. We took the opposite direction, and embraced USB-C as soon as possible. It's been great for us so far.
Click to expand...
How much that this model cost? I wasn’t see a price listed.
 
jazz1 said:
I was tempted by the form factor and price. I was hoping an updated one for the M1 MacMini might show.
Click to expand...
So, I decided to grab mine and haul it out. Form factor, it's fine.

The issue is that the M1 mini sees the card reader, but it's not mounting any SD cards. Don't know if it's just my unit gone bad or an incompatibility.

As a USB hub it is working fine, and I've used similar SD Card readers with the Mini. so it is possible the SD card reader is just bad in my unit. Not a great endorsement though.

EDIT: And now it is working, but macOS 11.1 refuses to show it in the sidebar in Finder. Wut.

EDIT 2: After rebooting, things seem to be fine again. I think I managed to hit a Big Sur bug. Neat. :|
 
Last edited:
I have been using the Hagibis dock for a few days now, and so far it worked well, apart from the occasional error message from macOS complaining about the SSD in the 2.5" bay disconnecting after the Mac mini wakes up from sleep. The USB ports works as intended and no wifi or bluetooth interference was observed.

hagibis.com

USB-C Docking Station with HDD Enclosure

USB-C Hub & Hard Drive Enclosure Good partner for Mac Mini
hagibis.com hagibis.com
 
tonyunreal said:
I have been using the Hagibis dock for a few days now, and so far it worked well, apart from the occasional error message from macOS complaining about the SSD in the 2.5" bay disconnecting after the Mac mini wakes up from sleep. The USB ports works as intended and no wifi or bluetooth interference was observed.

hagibis.com

USB-C Docking Station with HDD Enclosure

USB-C Hub & Hard Drive Enclosure Good partner for Mac Mini
hagibis.com hagibis.com
Click to expand...
One of those hubs would be pretty ideal for me, the chance of data corruption from the SSD disconnecting suddenly at sleep worries me though.
 
So as an update, I ended up caving and getting the TS3+ and while it's so expensive it seems really well built (even the power adapter is solid). I've moved all my connections over to it and so far everything is working properly. It also has plenty of room for future expansion.
 
sporez said:
So as an update, I ended up caving and getting the TS3+ and while it's so expensive it seems really well built (even the power adapter is solid). I've moved all my connections over to it and so far everything is working properly. It also has plenty of room for future expansion.
Click to expand...
Does yours stay on (and warm/hot) the whole time?
 
tonyunreal said:
I have been using the Hagibis dock for a few days now, and so far it worked well, apart from the occasional error message from macOS complaining about the SSD in the 2.5" bay disconnecting after the Mac mini wakes up from sleep. The USB ports works as intended and no wifi or bluetooth interference was observed.

hagibis.com

USB-C Docking Station with HDD Enclosure

USB-C Hub & Hard Drive Enclosure Good partner for Mac Mini
hagibis.com hagibis.com
Click to expand...

I ordered the same Hagibis dock, however I have yet to get my Mini or this dock as their somewhere on this globe.

In what format do you have the SSD?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top