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Satechi Launches USB-C Stand and Hub for Mac Mini

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Satechi today announced the launch of its latest Apple accessory, a USB-C Stand & Hub for the Mac mini with SSD Enclosure, which is designed to combine the functionality of a stand with the additional ports in a hub.


According to Satechi, the Mac mini Stand & Hub was designed to optimize the M1 Mac mini. It connects to a Mac mini over USB-C and adds three USB-A data ports, micro/SD card readers, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, plus it supports an SSD for additional storage.

As with most Satechi accessories, the Mac mini Stand & Hub is made from a brushed silver aluminum alloy to match the color and design of the Mac mini. It is sized to the Mac mini, so it looks like a natural add-on to Apple's smallest desktop computer.

satechi-mac-mini-stand.jpg

The Type-C Stand & Hub for Mac Mini with SSD Enclosure is available from Amazon or from the Satechi website for $99.99, with a 15 percent discount available when using the code MACMINISSD at checkout.

Article Link: Satechi Launches USB-C Stand and Hub for Mac Mini
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/30/satechi-usb-c-stand-hub-mac-mini/
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Satechi has a fixation with usb-a, three ports? the ssd part though is pretty cool and makes the whole package not so expensive actually.

Edit: So what I meant is that 2 additional usb-c and maybe 1 usb-a might be more forward looking than three usb-a, but to each it's own.
 
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Reactions: Alfredo_Delgado, jayducharme, mburkhard and 8 others
Looks good and nice with the SSD storage, but it's worth noting that:

Internal SSD enclosure only fits M.2 SSD drives, does not work with NVMe.

So it's only M.2 drives using SATA = maxing out at about 550 MB/s in transfer speed. Still OK for most needs I guess. :)

But I don't think I've seen a drive of that kind that goes beyond 2 TB. Could be wrong, though.
 
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In for one. Nice design, finally, with the ports in front and the inclusion of a m.2 SATA slot is nice to keep stuff like OneDrive, etc., that is not a performance priority.

According to the specs, all the USB ports seem to be 5Gbps so GEN1. *THAT* should have been different with GEN2 10Gbps USB. Probably in the next version!

For $85 not a bad deal.
 
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My buddy tried the non SSD version and it never worked right.

I've had trouble with older USB hubs working with my M1 Mini. I wonder what the issue could be.
 
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falkon-engine said:
There are multiple protocols that use usb-c, namely USB3-10gbps/20gbps and thunderbolt.

I’m guessing this dock is of the USB flavor, and is not of the thunderbolt variety? The article just mentions usb-c without mentioning the underlying protocol.
Click to expand...
From Satechi's product page :

Code: 
USB-A ports will not charge iPads or support SD readers, including Apple SuperDrive. We recommend connecting one bus-powered device at a time.

SPEED
- USB-C data port - up to 5 Gbps, no charging/video
- 3 x USB-A data ports - up to 5 Gbps, does not support charging or CD readers, including Apple SuperDrive

It's a USB passthrough/splitter, still useful for connecting USB keys and what not, but still relatively limited because it's not a powered hub.
 
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Why the headphone port? I'm trying to understand how that works. Does it "mirror" what's coming out of the the MacMini's headphone port? Does it show up as an additional output source to choose from?
 
Seeing how easy is to change the SSD, I would only need naked external SSD 😏, which are cheaper. Would anyone do that? any tips?
 
Dumb question, but would this come with the Cable to connect to Mac Mini? Or would I have to buy cable separate?
 
Hopefully this will not suffer “ disc not ejected properly “ issues that plagues other models on a daily to weekly basis. Satechi did not have this model last year, so I bought the only one available on AMZ, pretty much a sibling to this, connected to one USB-C … and ever after playing with sleep and standby settings, it is no longer a constant issue, but I still get that error once a week.

Port selection is fine for me ( traditional usb KBM user )
Maybe add one USB A and C to the rear.

Recessing the mini however is a no go for me.

That impairs cooling too much, imo. I increased physical separation on top of my flat hub and even have flipped the units around ( mini on the bottom on a small pedestal ) and with a small USB fan blowing across, I get 10-20C lower temps during operation. Not an issue in deep winter in a chilled room, but pretty important during summer.
 
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jaster2 said:
Why the headphone port? I'm trying to understand how that works. Does it "mirror" what's coming out of the the MacMini's headphone port? Does it show up as an additional output source to choose from?
Click to expand...
More easy to access from the front then from the back
 
apparatchik said:
Satechi has a fixation with usb-a, three ports? the ssd part though is pretty cool and makes the whole package not so expensive actually
Click to expand...

It makes sense, my magic trackpad and keyboard are each using a USB A port on my dock to charge. That leaves just one extra for a flash drive or whatever. Also, my USB C monitor provides extra ports acting as a USB C hub.
 
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I ended up returning Satechi’s previous (non-SSD) version of this hub that I had bought for my parents to use with their new M1 Mac mini. They struggled immensely with inserting and pulling out usb sticks and cables into and out of the usb-a ports. Was surprised at how tight they were when I managed to try them myself. So be warned that this might be unsuitable for more elderly people or those with dexterity issues.

I also read a few accounts of people complaining that their M1’s were considerably hotter when using these hubs. Didn’t manage to test that myself on my parent’s M1 as I’d already returned it, but worth thinking about. It’s a shame. It’s a great looking hub that matches the Mac mini well. Make this a powered hub with a fan in it and without the tightness of the ports, and it’d be perfect.
 
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Iconoclysm said:
It makes sense, my magic trackpad and keyboard are each using a USB A port on my dock to charge. That leaves just one extra for a flash drive or whatever. Also, my USB C monitor provides extra ports acting as a USB C hub.
Click to expand...

I get most of us have legacy devices, but haven't most peripherals moved to USB-C by now? And if not, maybe they should.

Obviously wireless is the future, but I'd prefer this had 3 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A.
 
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As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
FUNCTION! We don't need no stinking function! We sell to Apple fanboys who only care about form! :rolleyes:
 
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