What is the most external hard drives that the 2012 Mac mini can support?

[Narked Diver]

I am thinking of connecting a UPS to my Mac mini via USB to allow for controlled shutdowns when the power goes out

Trouble is all my USB port are currently used by external hard drives

Depending on the use of the hard drives (e.g. Some are only used as back up / time capsules) can I use a USB hub to increase the number of hard drives attached via a single USB connection

Are there any cons to doing this?

Cheers

 

[dimme]

I have a usb hub and a calDigit thunderbolt dock attached to my 2012 mac mini server. For a total of 8 external drives. The thrust on the thunderbolt dock is a bit better that the hub, but all works well.

 

[warragul]

I had a Targus 7-port USB hub on my PPC Mini because of the shortage of ports on the Mini itself.
Through that I ran a bunch of USB drives and a couple of printers without any issues. Generally, I used only one drive at a time and the printers are fairly undemanding. In fact, they shared one port on the Targus via unpowered 4-port hub closer to them - the printers being on the other side of the room.
The Targus also made plugging in the odd USB flash drive easier because it had powered ports.

 

[Narked Diver]

Thanks for the feedback folks

I think my new line up will be as follows

USB port 1 - UPS connection
USB port 2 - ITunes and media library
USB port 3 - photos library
USB port 4 - USB hub

The USB hub will have the following attached to it

Main hard drive backup / time machine
iTunes and media library backup
Photos library backup
Lightning cable for backing up / charging iOS devices
And a couple of spare ports in case

Any recommendations on USB hubs and will I need it to be powered?

 

[Bart Kela]

They will need to be powered.

I do not have a specific brand recommendation. I have a moldy old IOGEAR hub for similar purposes but I do not know if their current product line has a good reputation. If I were in the market today, I would likely stick to a name brand like Belkin, Anker, Plugable, etc.

For USB hubs, I figure you get what you pay for.

 

[dimme]

I use a Anker 7 port USB3 hub and have been happy with it.
https://www.anker.com/products/68UNHUB-B7U

 

[Narked Diver]

thanks for the suggestions

At the moment I'm liking the look of this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product..._act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATFJ3NMMG4JGL

 

[warragul]

Apart from the fact that I've never heard of Aukey... Looks good.
But the USB 3 ports are going to be overkill since the Mini only runs to USB 2. Still, it's an investment in the future, right?
Some hubs have a High Power mode where they can recharge power-hungry devices like iPads. Normal ports are limited to 500mA rather than the 2A needed by an iPad. If you don't have an iPad this won't matter, of course.

 

[Narked Diver]

Apart from the fact that I've never heard of Aukey... Looks good.
But the USB 3 ports are going to be overkill since the Mini only runs to USB 2. Still, it's an investment in the future, right?
Some hubs have a High Power mode where they can recharge power-hungry devices like iPads. Normal ports are limited to 500mA rather than the 2A needed by an iPad. If you don't have an iPad this won't matter, of course.

Just double checked and the late 2012 Mac mini (my model) has 4 USB 3 ports