Satechi Stand & Hub with NVMe SSD review: Fixing the Mac mini’s shortcomings

Macworld

At a glanceExpert's Rating
ProsAdds ports to the front of Mac miniAdds SSD enclosure for inexpensive extra storageNew version supports NVMe M.2 SSDCons10Gbps USB, not 40Gbps ThunderboltOur VerdictThis affordable and good-looking hub-stand for the Mac mini offers a range of useful front-facing ports missing from the Mac mini itself, and inexpensive internal storage–and the latest version supports both SATA M.2 SSDs and faster NVMe M.2 SSDs.

Compatible with: Mac mini M2 & M2 Pro 2023; Mac mini M1 2020; Mac Studio

Size: 7.8 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches

Ports:

1x USB-C (10Gbps)

3x USB-A (10Gbps)

SD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)

microSD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)

3.5mm audio jack

Internal SSD enclosure

While Apple’s Mac mini is a tiny powerhouse of a computer blessed with a range of ports on its back, its front face is unhelpfully bare, devoid of even one handy port or slot. There’s nothing but a little light to show that it’s on. Apple certainly put the “mini” in “minimal” when it came to the head-on looks of its diminutive desktop computer.

The Mac Studio has the same width and depth as the Mac mini but is taller. The Mac Studio also boasts two 10Gbps USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4 on the M1 Ultra model) and an SD card reader on its front. At the back, the Mac Studio and M2 Pro Mac mini ports are the same, while the entry-level M2 Mac mini has two fewer Thunderbolt 4 ports.

The Satechi Stand & Hub for Mac mini fixes the mini’s bare front face by adding four USB ports, both SD and microSD card reader slots, and 3.5mm audio jack port. The inclusion of the card readers is important since the mini lacks this access point for inexpensive portable storage. The card readers are rated at UHS-I (104MBps)–312MBps UHS-II would have offered speedier transfers, but most users won’t notice the difference. A 512GB microSD card costs about $60/£50 online–a super-cheap way of adding storage.

Satechi has updated this stand/hub with faster connections, and most importantly support for both faster NVMe M.2 SSDs as well as SATA M.2 SSDs.

The USB ports are now rated at 10Gbps for data transfer—up from 5Gbps but still not as speedy as the Mac mini’s 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 connections. The Satechi’s rival Mac mini hub, the OWC miniStack STX, does offer 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 but comes in 2.5x the price for the privilege. 10Gbps should be ample for most non-pro basic data-transfer needs.

Satechi says that the Stand & Hub’s USB ports are data only and are not capable of charging, although in our tests we were able to charge an Apple Watch and iPhone reasonably quickly using the Stand & Hub’s USB ports.

The Stand & Hub also fixes another major Mac mini limitation: the non-user-upgradeable internal storage. if you want more than the base 512GB storage in the Mac mini, Apple makes you pay handsomely at the time of purchase (upgrading to 1TB costs $200/£200) and then doesn’t let you later upgrade the storage yourself.

Inside this mini accessory is an enclosure where you can install an SSD internal storage board. It’s cheaper in comparison to Apple’s build-to-order options–a 1TB internal SSD costs around $50/£50.

Foundry

The hub sits perfectly under the Mac mini, so making the combined pair of devices look like a slim Mac Studio but with more handy frontal ports. It connects to the computer via an integrated USB-C cable at the back of the hub. The ports are USB rather than Thunderbolt and rated at 10Gbps (gigabits per second) compared to Thunderbolt’s 40Gbps.

While the original version lacked support for NVMe M.2 SSDs, the latest version allows you to choose your SSD standard. NVMe M.2 SSDs (with theoretical transfer speeds of up to 20Gbps) are more performance-driven than SATA M.2 SSDs (max 6Gbps). However, that max 6Gbps limit means that the hub’s 10Gbps USB bandwidth is fine and there’s no USB bottleneck. Many people don’t need blistering storage speeds and can keep any files that need low-latency fast performance on the Mac mini’s own speedy internal SSD and move more archival storage on the enclosure’s SSD.

Foundry

NVMe SSD boards are more common than SATA M.2 SSDs these days. Installing the SSD inside the Stand & Hub is simple, and the correct-sized screwdriver and screw are included.

This stand hub also fits under Apple’s Mac Studio, so it’s an inexpensive way to add fast storage to Apple’s newest pro-level desktop, too.

If you don’t need the extra storage space, Satechi also offers its Stand & Hub for Mac mini in a model without an SSD enclosure for $20 less. We’d recommend spending the extra for the Stand & Hub for Mac mini with SSD Enclosure as you may find yourself needing the extra storage space later down the line.

The Satechi Stand & Hub for Mac mini with NVMe SSD Enclosure is available in Silver color only, like the latest models of Mac mini itself. The model without the enclosure is also available in a Space Gray color, so will match the 2018 Mac mini model, with which it is compatible–the model with the SSD enclosure is not compatible with the older Mac mini.

For more Mac mini accessory options, read our feature on How to upgrade the M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini.

Bottom line

The Satechi Stand & Hub for Mac mini with NVMe SSD Enclosure offers an inexpensive fix to two of the Mac mini’s limitations: no front-facing ports and fixed, non-upgradeable internal storage. Adding a terabyte or two via the SSD bay will save you hundreds compared to buying from Apple.

Computer Accessories, Mac Mini