The Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub completely matches beneath Apple’s smallest desktop pc including extra entrance ports and a hidden drive for additional storage. It’s a really perfect design for individuals who want entry to USB-A, or, in my case, simply need an Apple-like SSD exclosure.

Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub

This smooth, aluminum hub enhances the Mac Mini completely. That includes three USB-A ports, an SD card slot, an SSD enclosure, and an built-in USB-C host cable, the Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub is a perfect companion on your Mac Mini.

Professionals & Cons

• Tailor-made match with matching steel shade
• Higher entry to Mac Mini’s energy button
• Entrance entry to USB-A ports

• Fewer whole ports than earlier Stand & Hub
• Design will not work should you transfer away from a Mac Mini

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Worth and Availability

The Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub is offered to pre-order now for $99.99 with the unit delivery on the finish of March in restricted portions.

There Are Two Primary Appeals of This Mac Mini Hub

Earlier than 2024, the Mac Mini had an honest array of ports: 4 USB (two C and two A), Ethernet, HDMI, and three.5mm for audio. The issue wasn’t the form of slots, however that they had been all on the again of the pc.

Satechi’s original Stand & Hub mounted this challenge and let individuals join cables within the entrance with no need to achieve behind the pc every time. That first hub was successful, so it is sensible the corporate can be again with a brand new system for the Mac Mini’s up to date kind issue.

The 2024 Mac Mini would not have the identical challenge because the previous one. The M4 Mini provides entrance port entry and a fifth USB-C port.

Satechi presents some utility this time round by bringing again the USB-A ports—three of them to be precise. There’s additionally an SD Card reader and an M.2 NVMe SSD slot for added comfort. With three of the 5 ports being USB-A, it is exhausting to see these legacy ports as something however the main enchantment.

Then, to a lesser diploma, the hidden storage enclosure is a pleasant draw. The tightly tailor-made design brings up the rear as a motive to purchase this hub.

Personally, I might have a tough time justifying this buy. I are inclined to stay on the leading edge and ditched USB-A way back. I even had a tough time discovering a USB-A tool or cable to make use of with the entrance ports. I used to be capable of finding a USB-A flash drive and a wired keyboard to place the hub by way of some paces.

The specs are easy and pretty spectacular general. Two USB-A ports can deal with as much as 10Gbps and the third one can do 480Mbps. The SD Card reader can do as much as 312MB/s. These are all labeled so you will not overlook which is which.

Apparently, I do have a necessity for the cardboard slot, but it surely’s debatable if it is sooner to take the SD Card out of my digicam or use a USB-C cable to get pictures off of the digicam.

The M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure helps 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 sizes and is able to as much as 10Gbps. I plugged in a 128GB drive and loaded it up with some redundant backups. That half carried out as anticipated.

Whereas the specs are good, there are a couple of caveats. Satechi highlights:

• The USB-A ports usually are not designed for charging.
• The ports usually are not appropriate with Apple’s USB SuperDrive (or different CD readers).
• A wired keyboard or mouse ought to hook up with the USB 2.0 port.
• Just one SSD needs to be related by way of the hub (both within the enclosure or by way of a port).

There are some attention-grabbing issues right here, however most likely no dealbreakers. Nothing from the checklist impeded my day-to-day use.

The Design Itself Is a Characteristic

Probably the most noticeable design side is that the Mac Mini sits neatly on prime. Nonetheless, the most effective design high quality is perhaps the carved-out space within the again for higher entry to the facility button.

When the brand new Mini launched, there was a minor controversy about how the facility button was beneath the pc. Earlier than utilizing the Satechi stand, I solely turned on and off my Mini three or 4 instances. Having fast entry to the facility button will not be crucial.

Facet view of the cut-out for entry to the Mini’s energy button.

But when it is necessary to you, the facility button is way simpler to achieve when utilizing the Stand & Hub. This can be a good function, however not a motive to purchase the product.

Think about the Competitors and Kind Issue

For someplace within the vary of $50 you will get a multi-port USB-C hub to connect with your Mac Mini that gives you 10Gbps USB-A ports. The specifics differ, however there are many options from reputable brands on the market.

If you need a hub with room for an SSD you’ll find these for below $100 too. Some will even embrace Ethernet and a bunch of different ports.

Yow will discover different hubs for much less cash, plus most are extra versatile of their kind issue. The Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub is tied to this particular pc. It would work with a MacBook, but it surely’ll be awkwardly positioned subsequent to it.

In fact, few others are designed exactly to appear like they’re a part of the pc. That’s the trade-off. The excellent news is that, in comparison with the competitors, there’s not a lot of an “Apple Tax” for the aesthetic.

If you happen to change computer systems each few years, there’s the chance of spending $100 on this product solely to be unable to make use of it. You possibly can nonetheless use the earlier Stand & Hub model with the brand new pc should you actually wish to, however it might look foolish. This hub is a purpose-built product for higher or worse.

Ought to You Purchase the Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub?

After dwelling with the Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub I discovered it to be nearly as good as I anticipated. It blends in properly and provides a ton of comfort or just a bit bit, relying in your particular port wants.

The crux of the product actually hinges on whether or not you want USB-A ports. And to a lesser diploma, in order for you an built-in exterior storage answer.

I don’t have any USB-A cables lingering in my life and can be prepared to guess that lots of people upgrading to the latest Mac Mini in 2025, most likely do not both. Nonetheless, regardless of the restricted want, I discovered the way in which the stand hides an SSD to be charming—and stored my desk clutter-free.

So, whereas I would not say the Stand & Hub is a necessity, I do like what it presents and the way it works. It is most likely well worth the splurge for most individuals contemplating it.

Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub

This smooth, aluminum hub enhances the Mac Mini completely. That includes three USB-A ports, an SD card slot, an SSD enclosure, and an built-in USB-C host cable, the Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub is a perfect companion on your Mac Mini.