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Glad to see those USB-A ports. One of the advantages of buying a hub is to get port types the Mac doesn't have that are practically useful for many people. There is a large installed base of USB-A peripherals out there working fine, and many dropping a hundred bucks on a hub would prefer to not have to also buy adapters or special cables to convert connectors.

While different users have different equipment, needs and approaches, USB-A connection devices will remain in common usage for many years to some.

That said, I'm surprised that is doesn't also offer USB-C ports. From the look of it, you sacrifice one of your Mac Mini's 5 USB-C ports (3 Thunderbolt-based) to gain 3 USB-A and a media card reader plus a USB-C speed type internal SSD housing. Nice, but a dongle intended for notebooks can offer much the same connectors minus the SSD housing, and external SSDs of that type aren't much more expensive than buying an internal one to stick in it.

So, you can get this for around $100, or an on sale dongle/hub aimed for notebook computers with similar ports for under $30 plus an external SSD (I picked up a Samsung T7 Shield and a Crucial X9)...or spring for the more expensive Thunderbolt 3 or 4-based docks and get more ports (including extra USB-C ports).

Those of you interested in buying a hub or dock, is this what you want, or do you plan to go the cheap dongle route (which I'm doing now because I already had one) or a more expensive $180 - $400 'upgunned' option with a lot of ports and/or Thunderbolt (though many lack an internal SSD option)?
 
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).
Apple products are generally designed to be left on for convenience. And yes, they sip power so generally the net effect is not an issue. If this is a matter of principle, then there are many conveniences that Apple should do away with. Ultimately if the “if Apple really cared about the environment, then…” principled argument is used without restraint, then it would dictate that Apple should shut down completely. Everything everyone does has an effect on the environment. It’s about balance and sustainability. But people here use the argument only when it helps support their own personal qualm.
 
I never understood this paranoia of not shutting down devices.
For me shutting down a machine after I stopped using it, is common sense.
If I'm using the computer and need to go pick up my kids from school, is it common sense to shut it down? Probably wastes $0.01 in electricity, but could be 5 minutes of time to shut down and get it back up and running in the state it was in during the previously hour I stepped away.

EDIT: It's probably <$0.01 to let it sit idle for an hour. More like $0.001 for a Mac mini using @10w at idle for an hour at $0.15kWh rate.
 
The power button "issue" is a non-issue, in my opinion. And the "solution" cutout is really ugly, also in my opinion.

I'm watching for reviews on this and the RayCue options before I buy. But they all seem to have different compromises in speed, ports, etc. I think what I really want is a ThunderBolt hub in a form factor similar to this, with better speeds and all the ports.

And as for the WiFi issues… understandable, given the laws of physics with metal objects and electronic interference. Yes, using Ethernet is the better option… but it's not always convenient to run wiring where you need it.
 
I want the USB-A ports in the back, so that I can connect my two Time Machine hard drives.

The power button is only an issue for whiners and the writers of click-bait. Where is the power button on your big screen TV? Ever use it?
This is really a poor comparison for the TV. I just use the remote it turns it on and off. On the Mac mini M4, he doesn’t have a remote.
 
I think what I really want is a ThunderBolt hub in a form factor similar to this, with better speeds and all the ports.
That does sound good, but questions...

1.) That would cost a good deal more. This thing gives you 2 USB-A ports and a card reader + an internal SSD slot. If it went to Thunderbolt 4, for example, how much would you pay if it added no ports? Or by 'all the ports' did you mean more (if so, which)?

2.) Thunderbolt external SSDs give off considerable heat. There's another thread on external SSD enclosures with people reporting on temp.s, fan vs. fatless housings, whether to add thermal tap to a given drive, how hot is too hot, etc... With the Satechi approach, that thing would be generating heat not far from your Mini's air intake for the Mini's own cooling, yes? Is that likely to be a problem?
 
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I never understood this paranoia of not shutting down devices.
For me shutting down a machine after I stopped using it, is common sense.
Some components suffer more wear and tear when power cycling the computer than when letting them sleep, and depending on the computer and how often it's used, it could actually use more power to turn it off and on than put it to sleep. Granted, we're talking probably very small differences, but if all that's involved is not doing anything, then why not?

And, of course, you lose the benefits of some processes that continue running while the Mac is asleep.
 
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Right but some folks like to set something on top, even if it’s a little nicknack or similar.
Some like to set things next to it too, so a side button wouldn’t work either. And some don’t want a button that they almost never use to be on the front. (Also if the button is on the front, wouldn’t you need the top to be cleared so you can press down on the top while pressing the button so the computer doesn’t move?)
Point being there’s no solution that works for everyone, but I would venture to say that for those who do have a problem with the power button, this fixes it for most of them.
 
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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".
If we keep USBA around because USBA is still around, we’ll have USBA (alongside USBC) forever. During these transition periods, adapters and replacement cables are inevitable, until devices themselves are replaced in due time.
Of course on the other hand, transitions shouldn’t be too rushed where people don’t have the time and means to transition. But personally I don’t feel like this is the case here with USBC having been around for 10 years.
 
apple should acquire satechi, or its designers. They have some great stuff

I've always saw Satechi as a company that didn't design their own stuff from scratch.
Rather they'd make a few change requests to existing white labeled products made in China.
 
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).
1 watt of power in sleep mode. A little night light uses between 2-7 watts.
 
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If we keep USBA around because USBA is still around, we’ll have USBA (alongside USBC) forever.
Not if USB-C is clearly superior. Some implementations of USB-A are comparability fast (if we exclude Thunderbolt and USB4).

Some old connectors gradually fade into obsolescence because newer standards work substantially better (e.g.: USB-A supplanted parallel ports on printers). There needs to be a compelling benefit.

The main arguments for USB-C at this point seem to be it's smaller, there is no 'right side up' when plugging it in, and if all ports and connectors were USB-C the odds of running out of ports of a needed type would be lower.

Fair enough. On the other hand, many people have a large installed base of USB-A devices and many of them work fine as-is. Keyboards and mice (wired or wireless with a receiver), some external drives, scanners and printers, thumb drives, an old webcam I dug out yesterday and put on my monitor, etc...).

And USB-C is hardly universal in function. Depending on the cable and devise used, it might be 5 Mbps or 10, or Thunderbolt 3 or 4 (40 Mbps) or 5 (80+), it might be data only or also handle video signals and may or may not charge your device (our kid's Windows PC has a USB-C port for data only; you can drive a monitor or charge the PC). And if you can drive a monitor via DisplayPort Alt Mode, an older version may not drive a 4K display at 60-Hz (only 30) but a later version can.

My point is, USB-C has some advantages over USB-A, but that gets down to a standardized connector, and offering one or two USB-A ports is worthwhile for many people.

We don't have to change just because time passes. If I were buying an accessory today I'd prefer USB-C over A, all other things being equal. C will progressively displace A in terms of numbers. But it doesn't have to be all one and none or the other.
 


The power button on the latest Mac mini is located on the bottom of the computer. If that bothers you, an upcoming accessory offers a solution.

Satechi-Mac-Mini-Hub.jpg

At the CES 2025 tech show in Las Vegas today, Satechi shared more details about its previously-announced new Mac mini hub. Notably, the hub has a cutout in the back-left corner that makes it easy to press the computer's raised power button.

Satechi said the hub will cost $99.99 in the U.S., with limited availability set to begin in mid-February ahead of a wider release in March.

The hub enhances the Mac mini in a variety of ways.

First, the hub adds three USB-A ports to the Mac mini, after Apple went all-in on USB-C and Thunderbolt ports on the latest models. Two of the USB-A ports offer up to 10 Gbps speeds, while the third is limited to 480 Mbps.

Second, the hub gives the Mac mini an SD card slot, which is something it otherwise lacks. Just like on the Mac Studio, it is a front-facing slot. It is a UHS-II slot, capable of read and write speeds of up to 312 MB/s.

Third, the hub includes an NVMe enclosure that allows you to add an SSD with up to 4TB of storage to the Mac mini. This can both expand the Mac mini's storage and allow you to avoid Apple's expensive storage upgrade prices.

And, as mentioned, the power button becomes easier to access.

M4-Mac-Mini-Satechi-Hub-Power-Button.jpg

The hub is made out of aluminum and looks similar to the Mac mini. Satechi ensures that the hub will not impact airflow or Wi-Fi connectivity.

You can sign up on Satechi's website to be alerted about the hub's launch.

Article Link: Satechi's New Mac Mini Hub Solves the Power Button Problem
That looks pretty great
 
Since some of us are debating the USB-A vs. C controversy, and this dock gives relatively few ports, I have a question on Mac user USB-C usage...

How many USB-C ports are you guys using, and how many do you think most users use?

I have a multi-port dongle from my old 2017 MacBook on one of my M4 Pro Mac Mini's front USB-C port to give me USB-A ports, and a Crucial X9 external SSD plugged into one of the year ports serving as a backup drive for Carbon Copy Cloner. My mouse and keyboard are Bluetooth. My Dell monitor (which has hub function and offers ports) connects via USB-C.

So, 3 of my Mac Mini's USB-C ports so far. What about the rest of you? How many USB-C ports do you want?
 
These things mess with thermals, and 'Power button problem"?
 
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