USB-C Hub with Hard Drive Enclosure for Mac Mini M1, Type C Docking Station with SATA SSD/HDD Slot, Dual USB 3.0/2.0 Port, TF/SD Card Readers, Compatible with Mac Mini 2018/2020

The first aspects to know about this product is that it was shipped and delivered on time; it is exactly as the product description is advertised and so far it has performed exactly as the product description states with a few idiosyncrasies. I spent a long time shopping for this docking station and finally purchased the Elecife product over others because the price was reasonable, the reviews were more than 90% positive, and the other brands were sold out.I am a loyal Apple-seed and MACs and the MAC technology will always be my first choice for computing for a bunch of different justifications; I will never use PC's for my home, leisure or business computer; however, I do have extensive experience with PCs, their hardware, their programming and their operating environments. As such, I have developed the exact same complaints with this aspect of MACs that were the complaints that I've heard from twenty and thirty years prior and similar complaints which resonate exactly in todays markets as they resonated in the market reviews of the nineteen eighties and nineties.MACs lost so many customers in the turbulent decades of eighties and nineties due to issues such as this one; while the company is well known for its high quality and pioneering computing/programming environments, the company has been a real mule when offering users modularity and versatility to its users/consumers. A Mac purchase has to be twice as thought through, scheduled and planned for with future technological innovations in mind, than many PC purchases because, Macs are more of an initial investment as the the entry price points are conventionally higher. The company does not (and has not traditionally) offer customers the options to easily and conveniently upgrade random access memory or drive storage "internally" on the actual machine (this was major obstacle in the development of Mac computing); while I do see the point and the value of being able to upgrade memory in the cloud and external drives do compensate just fine on most occasions: it would be a wonderful attribute to be able to open my Mac/Mac mini or other device and replace the Hard Disk, a/o the RAM or even have an upgrade option for my beautiful and marvelous Silicon Tech MicroChip/Processor.Anyway, this docking station wasn't exactly what I had expected because I was expecting to have a Mac docking station which would operate as an actual docking station like the "Mother" brand docking stations,-- for example, with the storage being able to integrate directly into my Mac mini storage. The SSD/HDD expansion treats any disk as an "external drive" (because at this time we cannot purchase any "Mac" external drive); and while the serial bus internal connection does speed up the read and write rates faster than a USB connection it is still not as fast as it could be if this were a actual MAC engineered and branded compatible serial bus docking connection; When we speak of "docking stations"--(for example, "Mother's" docking station environment and hardware (think International Computer Corporation))-- the concept of a docking station allows the user to expand the versatility of their mobile devices by transforming them from a laptop (or even smart phone) into a desktop environment by docking to the device's paired "branded" product. That's why the docking stations which are sold by "Mother" are almost as expensive as the desktops.Well, I don't currently exist at a level which is privileged enough within the Mac hierarchy to propose a serious inquisition over this topic and then receive a valuable explanation but I've heard the same explanation ever since I was a freshman: "I don't know why 'the corporation' won't make this option available; it just doesn't want to manufacture optional docking devices and environments for its users." Apparently, the issue is another "mystery inside of another riddle" (Winston Churchill, 1946) inside of the computer giant. Don't get me wrong our new Mac OS/ Cloud environment is completely marvelous and the point is well taken that much of our-- "previously perceived"--real need for device/hardware interoperability is abated with our new software environment--it would still be a bonus for us (Appleseeds) to be able to upgrade our Mac hardware and/or be able to plug right into a compatible, "trusted" and branded Mac Monitor (or other MAC device) with any of our mobile devices and have our OS environment right there.So, I haven't had the same complaints as other reviews which I have read. The device is obviously already manufactured and marketed for Mac minis and Mac mini users--as the dock isn't really compatible with any other computer; the packaging also emulates the Mac style of packaging; and the dock connected with little complications; I haven't experienced any complications with the "error message"when I put my Mac mini into sleep mode but I am currently using a Samsung 500 GB SDD and the Samsung Magician software isn't compatible with Macs and I can't really monitor the condition of the drive--other than using the Mac OS utilities. I do have the extra 500 GB of storage but when I first connected the SDD the Mac OS refused to recognize the drive and I had to reformat it which was a little bit of a headache. I was able to keep the total cost of my new 2020 Mac mini under a dime (under $1000 ) and I am really happy with this product's economic contribution to my computing needs; I would definitely recommend this product to other Mac users however, I would advise them to consider the item carefully and really research what they want from a Mac --overall--and what their future options will be when trying to upgrade or enhance their Mac.For me I have two options for the future: the first is to go to work for Macs and lead a corporate engineering movement to finally make external drives and docking stations which are exclusive to Mac products, iPhones and Pads or the second option which is with my next Mac purchase really consider spending the extra $300 to $400 at initial purchase for the 1 TB internal Mac SSD.Cheers and Happy Shopping 🧐🤓👍

I had some concerns when I first considered purchasing it. After using one since January, 2022, I'm pleased with my purchase.I purchased this dock/stand primarily for aiding my new Mac Mini M1 keep cooler. As usual, Apple designs some sleek equipment but one of the usual shortcomings is cooling. Granted it has a fan, but with all the air being drawn in under the Mini, it seems to me like an example of form before function. Knowing this, I decided to invest in something to aid the fan by lifting the chassis to improve air flow.I hemmed and hawed between this dock and a couple of others offered here on Amazon, but ultimately went with this design for nothing other than cost. After spending a healthy bit of coin on the Mini, I didn't have a lot left over.Upon arrival, I was surprised by the packaging. I think I'd expected it based on other reviews, but it was still a pleasant and nostalgic experience opening up the box and seeing the kind of care/showmanship that was put into it. It reminded me of the way Apple used to package all their computers years ago. It was like getting a gift and unboxing it was part of the experience of ownership.It came with a basic instruction booklet that I didn't need as it is obvious how to use the dock.The dock is made of plastic, as other reviewers have said, but it does have a convincing, sleek brushed aluminum appearance. It's lightweight. It has the internal space for a laptop-sized hard drive. And, at the time, most importantly for me, it lifts my Mini just high enough, with the air fin design to aid with the fan drawing in more air quickly as needed.The improved air-cooling and the addition of additional ports being a bonus were all that mattered at the time of of purchase. And they didn't disappoint. The only fly-in-the-ointment was the lack of USB-C cord that the listing said was included. I was annoyed, but went out to my local Best Buy and purchased one.As expected, the speeds don't match up with what anyone would expect, but it isn't dog-slow. I'm guessing that it has with the dock not being externally powered besides what the Mini supplies via the rear type-C port.I had a spare laptop SSD drive and decided I might as well use it as a scratch disc since I went with the least expensive Mac Mini which comes with a paltry 256GB drive. The scratch disc was 2TB and would give me plenty of extra storage. The dock would be perfect.Earlier I said the packaging didn't include the type-C cord, but I was wrong. The cord was tucked neatly *inside* the dock, which I hadn't opened until a week later. I'm glad I didn't complain to Amazon at the time.Another big criticism other reviewers had was that when the Mini went to sleep, the drive inside the dock would get kicked off and not be available when they woke their Mini. I think the reason is the included cord. I have never had any problem with the drive not showing up when I wake my Mini. I didn't change any settings. I didn't have to do anything other than use a different cord. The original cord included sits around in my junk drawer with a bunch of other spare cords for other needs.If the transfer speeds aren't the most important thing to you and you use a different type-C cord, I think this dock is adequate for the price. It has extra ports as advertised, and has helped my Mini stay cooler. I'd recommend it to anyone with a Mini along with the caveat. I'm satisfied with it.

I bought this because I did not like the fact that my Mac mini did not have front facing USB ports. The bonus fact that it stores a SATA hard drive inside, and looks like it was designed to be part of the computer, makes it the bees knees in my book! And the best part is that it works, as well as it looks. I have zero issues with the functionality of it. The only thing that I would like to see is some sort of a rubber interface to make sure the computer really sticks well to the dock. And that's just being nit picky. Basically, if you don't own one, you should!

good

LIKES: Bought the Amazon-associated SSD, and was able to install it in minutes, despite being screwdriver-impaired! And... it worked! DISLIKES: Dock doesn't snap or attach definatively to the Mac Mini. Dock is light weight, so tension from wires pulls the dock and CPU away from each other. Will add some velcro, which should solve the problem, plus add a small bit of air circulation between the two units. Also, the documentation font is so small, even a magnifying glass can't make the contents visible or readible. How about splurging a little and expanding the size of the manual so it can be read? I have not yet tested the sleep mode.

Fits perfectly and my mac mini sits right on top to save desk space.

Works fine, looks good and gets ports to the front of the MacMini. Has an internal 2.5 inch space for a drive. I put a 500gb SSD in it for Time Machine.

Cumpriu plenamente minhas expectativas. muito fácil de instalar. Excelente.

Sobre todo por que puede alojar un disco duro de 3.5" SATA en su interior lo cual aumenta exponencialmente su utilidad. Recomendadísimo.

It’s good just wish it had a head phone jack port

Comme support pour Mac min m1Excellent

Me ha parecido estupendo producto. Estéticamente idóneopara emac mini. Y elcompartimento para un SSD multiplica de forma cómoda el disco duro del sistema.