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The thing though - the Mac Mini has always lacked proper isolation. I have one on my M2 Pro and it interferes with my Wi-Fi every now and then. My Wi-Fi speed is better when I unplug it :(
yah, that's because the signal goes through the base better. One dude here wrote a whole thread about how Mini's work better upside-down: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-correct-orientation-of-the-mac-mini.2443408/

Maybe try putting the Satechi on top? Or the whole stack upside-down 🤪
 
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They didn't really solve the power button issue. A solution would have been a mechanical "pusher" located at the front of the device.
I'd say it solves it, because it's more ergonomic to use the Mac mini's power button now, vs. a standalone mini.

Besides even if a "pusher" works 99.9% of the time, the way the 'cutout' is designed on this Satechi, your push will work 100%, because you're directly interacting with the button in an easier way than originally designed.
 
I'd say it solves it, because it's more ergonomic to use the Mac mini's power button now, vs. a standalone mini.

Besides even if a "pusher" works 99.9% of the time, the way the 'cutout' is designed on this Satechi, your push will work 100%, because you're directly interacting with the button in an easier way than originally designed.
It still requires an "unnatural" reacharound to push the button with this cutout and it being raised, you just dont have to lift it. a pusher from the front of the dock or even side would have been better.
 
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Am I missing the specs for how fast the NVMe speeds will be? My guess it is slow so not ideal for many purposes. I have a base Mac mini M4 with an OWC Express 1M2 and a Samsung 990 Pro 4TB and the speeds are faster than the internal drive (yes, I know the NVMe is still limited by Thunderbolt 4). That would be the baseline for me to consider this useful, even though I'd prefer the form factor of the Satechi.

Other points:
  • Honestly the power button underneath the Mac mini is not that big of a deal; I'm turning my computer off daily right now now (because I'm currently sharing my office with my son and the LED lights would bother him at night). I can't see how this is a big deal for almost anyone unless the computer is in a very tight or out-of-sight location.
  • While I have a few USB-A devices I don't purposely seek out that port type anymore; I'd rather have USB-C and get a cable or adapter for legacy needs. I will say it would be nice for Logitech to update their dongle to be USB-C, but I now tend to use bluetooth instead of their wireless system.
  • $99 for this is a pretty good deal, that is cheaper than the aforementioned enclosure I'm using.
 
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It still requires an "unnatural" reacharound to push the button with this cutout and it being raised, you just dont have to lift it. a pusher from the front of the dock or even side would have been better.
"Lifting it" was the only real problem. Reaching around to the back is common on all previous Mac minis, as well as Mac Studio, iMac, etc.

Pusher from the front gonna be ugly as hell. Definitely wrecking the aesthetic if you're gonna have some 3D printed pusher on a lever or whatever.

Satechi has solved for the awkwardness, by adding zero parts (nothing to break!) and not ruining any aesthetic.
 
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Do the USB-A ports support power delivery? I would like to sync and charge my flash-modded 4th gen iPod using those ports. If not I’ll have to use an Apple dongle.
 
Am I missing the specs for how fast the NVMe speeds will be? My guess it is slow so not ideal for many purposes. I have a base Mac mini M4 with an OWC Express 1M2 and a Samsung 990 Pro 4TB and the speeds are faster than the internal drive (yes, I know the NVMe is still limited by Thunderbolt 4). That would be the baseline for me to consider this useful, even though I'd prefer the form factor of the Satechi.

Other points:
  • Honestly the power button underneath the Mac mini is not that big of a deal; I'm turning my computer off daily right now now (because I'm currently sharing my office with my son and the LED lights would bother him at night). I can't see how this is a big deal for almost anyone unless the computer is in a very tight or out-of-sight location.
  • While I have a few USB-A devices I don't purposely seek out that port type anymore; I'd rather have USB-C and get a cable or adapter for legacy needs. I will say it would be nice for Logitech to update their dongle to be USB-C, but I now tend to use bluetooth instead of their wireless system.
  • $99 for this is a pretty good deal, that is cheaper than the aforementioned enclosure I'm using.
check out the ray cue 40gbps one. I have it on order right now. hoping its good
 
Am I missing the specs for how fast the NVMe speeds will be?

10G ... so it will be "slow"

You want a 40G hub/dock to get the most out of NVMe, otherwise one might as well use SATA 2.5" SSD or M.2 form factors

To me the internal storage port on this is good for an extra storage drive or Time Machine drive, but not something primary or a fast scratch disk
 
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"Lifting it" was the only real problem. Reaching around to the back is common on all previous Mac minis, as well as Mac Studio, iMac, etc.

Pusher from the front gonna be ugly as hell. Definitely wrecking the aesthetic if you're gonna have some 3D printed pusher on a lever or whatever.

Satechi has solved for the awkwardness, but adding zero parts (nothing to break!) and not ruining any aesthetic.
its so small and light I can palm the thing with my hand, curl my fingers under and hit the button. it really isn't any harder than reaching around the old Mac mini fumbling to find the button
 
its so small and light I can palm the thing with my hand, curl my fingers under and hit the button. it really isn't any harder than reaching around the old Mac mini fumbling to find the button
Right but some folks like to set something on top, even if it’s a little nicknack or similar.
 
"The power button problem"

LOL. The premise is that there is a power button problem. Which, there is not.

Even on my 6 year old PC, I basically NEVER press a power button. It is inside of the desk, in fact, so definitely not very accessible anyway. There is no "power button problem".
 
Enough with USB-A already. Give us more USB-C
It does seem like that would be a good option, not least on the M4 Pro with much greater additional bandwidth on the rear ports. Sure, making a Thunderbolt 5 version will be more costly, and there’d be some contention between devices sharing one onboard port, but for non-critical uses – not super fast SSDs or even average ones that need sustained throughput, or even displays – I’d much rather have USB-C ports to which I can connect an adaptor if needed than a lower level of USB 3 performance.
 
Is it a problem really though? Yes, it’s odd Apple put the button on the bottom. But I can’t even remember the last time I restarted my Mac by holding down the physical button. I know short pressing the power button puts the Mac to sleep, but I’ve always used hot corners for that, which is easier.
I have never put a computer to sleep ever in my life; I always turn them off.
On the other hand, I have a mac studio with an easily accessible power button.
 
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My gripe with the power button is all the self-aggrandizing marketing around carbon neutrality. Even though the computer sips power in idle, it’s a matter of principle that the design will lead most to keep their Mac minis on overnight (when boots are now maybe 7 seconds).
I never understood this paranoia of not shutting down devices.
For me shutting down a machine after I stopped using it, is common sense.
 
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I don't need USB-A ports.
I just need more USB-C ports. For older accessories, there are excellent USB-C cable available.
 
My gripe with the power button is all the self-aggrandizing marketing around carbon neutrality. Even though the computer sips power in idle, it’s a matter of principle that the design will lead most to keep their Mac minis on overnight (when boots are now maybe 7 seconds).
How much wattage is needed to keep the Mac mini in standby? Keep in mind, a computer is never truly "off" (as in zero power consumption) unless it is unplugged. Power is needed to enable the power button to even work! As it isn't a switch in the traditional sense.
 
USB-A is completely unnecessary today.
My wired USB-A scanner and printer might contest that premise. Both are quite serviceable and not planning to upgrade to wireless versions. Yes, solutions like hubs and adapters overcome the USB-A port absence but don't support the premise that USB-A is "completely unnecessary today".
 
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