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aus+uk / uk.comp.sys.mac / Storage Hub for Mac Mini

Storage Hub for Mac Mini

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From: patchmoney@gmx.com (RJH)
Newsgroups: uk.comp.sys.mac
Subject: Storage Hub for Mac Mini
Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2024 19:30:33 -0000 (UTC)
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by: RJH - Sun, 10 Mar 2024 19:30 UTC

Any recommendations for a Mac Mini shaped storage hub, preferably with
front-facing ports? I quite like the look of this:

https://qwiizlab.net/products/usb-c-hub-with-sdd-hdd-enclosure

Although it doesn't mention it, I'd assume that'd be compatible with a 2011
Mac Mini (which will be replaced with a newer one at some point), using a
USB-C to USB-A cable.

I don't need the full I/O performance of an M2 Mac Mini (for example) - the
hub would be used for documents and photos.

--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini

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From: rail@greywall.demon.co.uk (Graeme Wall)
Newsgroups: uk.comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini
Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2024 20:32:30 +0000
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by: Graeme Wall - Sun, 10 Mar 2024 20:32 UTC

On 10/03/2024 19:30, RJH wrote:
> Any recommendations for a Mac Mini shaped storage hub, preferably with
> front-facing ports? I quite like the look of this:
>
> https://qwiizlab.net/products/usb-c-hub-with-sdd-hdd-enclosure
>
> Although it doesn't mention it, I'd assume that'd be compatible with a 2011
> Mac Mini (which will be replaced with a newer one at some point), using a
> USB-C to USB-A cable.
>
> I don't need the full I/O performance of an M2 Mac Mini (for example) - the
> hub would be used for documents and photos.
>

Looks useful. 118 quid on Amazon! That's quite a mark-up from $99
--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini

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From: theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk (Theo)
Newsgroups: uk.comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini
Date: 10 Mar 2024 23:19:25 +0000 (GMT)
Organization: University of Cambridge, England
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by: Theo - Sun, 10 Mar 2024 23:19 UTC

RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
> Any recommendations for a Mac Mini shaped storage hub, preferably with
> front-facing ports? I quite like the look of this:
>
> https://qwiizlab.net/products/usb-c-hub-with-sdd-hdd-enclosure
>
> Although it doesn't mention it, I'd assume that'd be compatible with a 2011
> Mac Mini (which will be replaced with a newer one at some point), using a
> USB-C to USB-A cable.

It's possible you'd need to power it via an external USB-C power adapter -
it may not be able to power itself from a USB-A socket, especially if you
have both SATA and M.2 drives in operation.

> I don't need the full I/O performance of an M2 Mac Mini (for example) - the
> hub would be used for documents and photos.

The 2011 is only USB 2.0, so any access is going to be rather slow...

(I couldn't guarantee they haven't done something silly like only wire the
USB 3 Superspeed pairs and not the USB 2 High Speed pair, but you never
know)

For better performance on the 2011 there's Thunderbolt, but that's pricier:
https://www.owc.com/solutions/ministack-stx
which also has no front facing ports.

(for use on the Mini you'd also need the Apple TB2 to TB3 adapter)

For this money it would likely be cheaper to upgrade to a 2012 or newer that
has USB 3...

Theo

Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini

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From: patchmoney@gmx.com (RJH)
Newsgroups: uk.comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:19:29 -0000 (UTC)
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by: RJH - Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:19 UTC

On 10 Mar 2024 at 20:32:30 GMT, Graeme Wall wrote:

> On 10/03/2024 19:30, RJH wrote:
>> Any recommendations for a Mac Mini shaped storage hub, preferably with
>> front-facing ports? I quite like the look of this:
>>
>> https://qwiizlab.net/products/usb-c-hub-with-sdd-hdd-enclosure
>>
>> Although it doesn't mention it, I'd assume that'd be compatible with a 2011
>> Mac Mini (which will be replaced with a newer one at some point), using a
>> USB-C to USB-A cable.
>>
>> I don't need the full I/O performance of an M2 Mac Mini (for example) - the
>> hub would be used for documents and photos.
>>
>
> Looks useful. 118 quid on Amazon! That's quite a mark-up from $99

Indeed - Aliexpress have it for about £70 though
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini

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From: nospam@de-ster.demon.nl (J. J. Lodder)
Newsgroups: uk.comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 11:21:57 +0100
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by: J. J. Lodder - Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:21 UTC

RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:

> Any recommendations for a Mac Mini shaped storage hub, preferably with
> front-facing ports? I quite like the look of this:
>
> https://qwiizlab.net/products/usb-c-hub-with-sdd-hdd-enclosure
>
> Although it doesn't mention it, I'd assume that'd be compatible with a 2011
> Mac Mini (which will be replaced with a newer one at some point), using a
> USB-C to USB-A cable.
>
> I don't need the full I/O performance of an M2 Mac Mini (for example) - the
> hub would be used for documents and photos.

It will be quite slow on the USB2 connection to the 2011 Mac Mini,

Jan

Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini

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From: jaimie@usually.sessile.org (Jaimie Vandenbergh)
Newsgroups: uk.comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini
Date: 11 Mar 2024 10:27:17 GMT
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by: Jaimie Vandenbergh - Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:27 UTC

On 11 Mar 2024 at 10:19:29 GMT, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:

> On 10 Mar 2024 at 20:32:30 GMT, Graeme Wall wrote:
>
>> On 10/03/2024 19:30, RJH wrote:
>>> Any recommendations for a Mac Mini shaped storage hub, preferably with
>>> front-facing ports? I quite like the look of this:
>>>
>>> https://qwiizlab.net/products/usb-c-hub-with-sdd-hdd-enclosure
>>>
>>> Although it doesn't mention it, I'd assume that'd be compatible with a 2011
>>> Mac Mini (which will be replaced with a newer one at some point), using a
>>> USB-C to USB-A cable.
>>>
>>> I don't need the full I/O performance of an M2 Mac Mini (for example) - the
>>> hub would be used for documents and photos.
>>>
>>
>> Looks useful. 118 quid on Amazon! That's quite a mark-up from $99
>
> Indeed - Aliexpress have it for about £70 though

AliExpress add UK VAT and any import duties when you get to checkout, so
it'll go up unless that's where you got the £70 from.

Cheers - Jaimie
--
Sent from my Sun 4/60

Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini

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From: patchmoney@gmx.com (RJH)
Newsgroups: uk.comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:29:51 -0000 (UTC)
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by: RJH - Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:29 UTC

On 10 Mar 2024 at 23:19:25 GMT, Theo wrote:

Yes, I saw a review that suggested it might, but apparently it works fine off
bus power with an iMac, with just 2 drives installed. A PS is no great
hardship though.

I don't need the full I/O performance of an M2 Mac Mini (for example) - the
>> hub would be used for documents and photos.
>
> The 2011 is only USB 2.0, so any access is going to be rather slow...
>
> (I couldn't guarantee they haven't done something silly like only wire the
> USB 3 Superspeed pairs and not the USB 2 High Speed pair, but you never
> know)
>
> For better performance on the 2011 there's Thunderbolt, but that's pricier:
> https://www.owc.com/solutions/ministack-stx
> which also has no front facing ports.
>

I'd rather go with a brand - although that's much more expensive, and I'd like
a couple of 'old' USB ports.

I don't think speed is going to be a huge issue - and I can't see the 2011
Mini lasting much longer. That said, it's still playing back fine - even H.265
files.

> (for use on the Mini you'd also need the Apple TB2 to TB3 adapter)
>
> For this money it would likely be cheaper to upgrade to a 2012 or newer that
> has USB 3...
>

Yep, looked at that, a possibility. But really I think I'd like it all on an
2nd hand M1 - and that's definitely going to need external storage (>4TB right
now).

--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini

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From: patchmoney@gmx.com (RJH)
Newsgroups: uk.comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 14:41:23 -0000 (UTC)
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by: RJH - Mon, 11 Mar 2024 14:41 UTC

On 11 Mar 2024 at 10:27:17 GMT, Jaimie Vandenbergh wrote:

> On 11 Mar 2024 at 10:19:29 GMT, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
>
>> On 10 Mar 2024 at 20:32:30 GMT, Graeme Wall wrote:
>>
>>> On 10/03/2024 19:30, RJH wrote:
>>>> Any recommendations for a Mac Mini shaped storage hub, preferably with
>>>> front-facing ports? I quite like the look of this:
>>>>
>>>> https://qwiizlab.net/products/usb-c-hub-with-sdd-hdd-enclosure
>>>>
>>>> Although it doesn't mention it, I'd assume that'd be compatible with a 2011
>>>> Mac Mini (which will be replaced with a newer one at some point), using a
>>>> USB-C to USB-A cable.
>>>>
>>>> I don't need the full I/O performance of an M2 Mac Mini (for example) - the
>>>> hub would be used for documents and photos.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Looks useful. 118 quid on Amazon! That's quite a mark-up from $99
>>
>> Indeed - Aliexpress have it for about £70 though
>
> AliExpress add UK VAT and any import duties when you get to checkout, so
> it'll go up unless that's where you got the £70 from.
>
> Cheers - Jaimie

Yes - there is VAT - so £76. No import duties listed so I'd loosely assume
it's in the UK - although estimated delivery 2 weeks, so who knows . . .
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini

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From: nospam@de-ster.demon.nl (J. J. Lodder)
Newsgroups: uk.comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:52:53 +0100
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by: J. J. Lodder - Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:52 UTC

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

> RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
> > Any recommendations for a Mac Mini shaped storage hub, preferably with
> > front-facing ports? I quite like the look of this:
> >
> > https://qwiizlab.net/products/usb-c-hub-with-sdd-hdd-enclosure
> >
> > Although it doesn't mention it, I'd assume that'd be compatible with a 2011
> > Mac Mini (which will be replaced with a newer one at some point), using a
> > USB-C to USB-A cable.
>
> It's possible you'd need to power it via an external USB-C power adapter -
> it may not be able to power itself from a USB-A socket, especially if you
> have both SATA and M.2 drives in operation.
>
> > I don't need the full I/O performance of an M2 Mac Mini (for example) - the
> > hub would be used for documents and photos.
>
> The 2011 is only USB 2.0, so any access is going to be rather slow...
>
> (I couldn't guarantee they haven't done something silly like only wire the
> USB 3 Superspeed pairs and not the USB 2 High Speed pair, but you never
> know)
>
> For better performance on the 2011 there's Thunderbolt, but that's pricier:
> https://www.owc.com/solutions/ministack-stx
> which also has no front facing ports.
>
> (for use on the Mini you'd also need the Apple TB2 to TB3 adapter)
>
> For this money it would likely be cheaper to upgrade to a 2012 or newer that
> has USB 3...

Yes. If you want to stay with the oldies the (late) 2012
is in a sweet spot. It is the only one that has both USB-3
-and- two drive bays.
It has a quite respectable speed too, with max RAM and an SSD,

Jan

Subject	Author
Storage Hub for Mac Mini	RJH
Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini	Graeme Wall
Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini	RJH
Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini	Jaimie Vandenbergh
Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini	RJH
Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini	Theo
Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini	RJH
Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini	J. J. Lodder
Re: Storage Hub for Mac Mini	J. J. Lodder