Mac mini Storage Hub with 2.5" SSD and M.2 NVMe Slots for M1, M2, and Future M3 Mac minis
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- Опубліковано 9 січ 2024
- We do a product showcase of a dual SSD Hub (and Dock) for the M1, M2, and the future Apple M3 Mac mini computers. The storage hub is by AGPTEK and the model number is MC25 PRO. This USB storage hub supports up to 2 SSDs and includes multiple ports including 10 Gbps USB A, 10 Gbps USB C and even SD Card Readers. It supports one 2.5" SSD and one M.2 NVMe SSD in the same enclosure. If you are looking to add more storage to your Mac minis especially the new M3 Mac mini coming out then this is a great option for a hub with multiple IO connections and 2 SSD slots to add storage to your Apple computers. This USB-C storage hub can also be used with your M1 or M3 iMacs (sits underneath) or even works with all M1, M2, and M3 MacBooks if you need this storage capability.
AGPTEK MC25 PRO Mac mini Storage Hub - amzn.to/3TvxuIp
(if out of stock here are alternatives - amzn.to/3IwOHel )
Team Group AX2 2.5" SSD Line - amzn.to/3RUsR8V
Samsung 2.5" SSD Line - amzn.to/3RRCuVS
WD SN770 M.2 NVme SSD Line - amzn.to/47Daaww
Samsung Pro M.2 NVMe SSD Line - amzn.to/3S9WFzE
Western Digital M.2 SSD - amzn.to/3tMWy3E
Leven M.2 NVMe SSD Line - amzn.to/3RKUDo8
(Note - please refer to product page for compatible drives)
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We are not affiliated with AGPTEK and are just doing a product showcase of their dual-SSD Mac mini Hub and Dock. Thank you. - Наука та технологія
Extra storage is always worth it.
This hubs will be very useful and thank you.
Thanks and it's nice to have the extra storage for sure.
Craig! Thank you for posting.
Thanks.
I spent hours checking those .. never bought one, thx for this tests. I used external HD plugged in the back but I swipe due to the two usb behind the M1 Mac mini .
Thank for posting and for watching the channel.
Thanks Craig. That device might look good sitting on my Mac Studio, and the colors would match.
Not bad and just another option out there. There are a ton of options now.
I know it’s goofy but the back facing ports are kind of appealing from a visual standpoint
Yes, it can look clean depending on the way you turn it.
One thing to keep in mind that for this model and similar ones (maybe the same factory but rebranded) in order to power it you must use the USB C to USB A cable to a USB A wall charger. I had a similar one and found the drives would disconnect being that I used a USB C to USB C wall charger which provided no power.
I didn't see that issue but it might be dependent on what else you have plugged in etc. I use the drives for basic storage and didn't see any disconnects when the computer went to sleep and I woke it back up. I'm not saying it won't happen and that is why I stated that in the video but so far I have not experienced that. Thanks for sharing.
@craigneidel True - the more you plug into it the more it will need a direct power connection. Enjoying the videos by the way.
@@jcurtistx thanks for watching. Yes my workflow hasn't required the extra power yet but I'm sure with a ton pludded in or a spinning non SSD you might need to do that.
Looks good product.
I am currently using Qwiizlab USB C Hub with Dual Drive Enclosure for MacMini M2. Good for Time Backup of the MacMini 😊
My Nvme likes to randomly dismount occasionally, have you had that issue with your qwiizlab, too?
Yes, they are similar for sure and I did a video on a Qwiizlab one if you search my channel.
No issue at all. Just make sure you follow the instructions given for both power cable connection using USB C cable and data cable to your MacMini using USB C cable.
Yes, for sure.
Build yourself a hub tower! See if you can stack them and get the mac to recognize all 3, or if you run into driver issues
If I have enough ports I'm sure all drives would show up. I could create a storage tower I guess - funny.
Great video and channel. Do you think a WD SN850X with heatsink would fit in the enclosure? Thanks.
I don't have one of those to test so not sure but you can give it a try and always return it if not.
Nice video
Thank you.
@@craigneidelno prob! 👍
Could this be used on the Mac Studio? The other part of the question would be what is the best external storage option for the Studio?
Yes, this can be used on the Studio also. I have a few videos on external storage that are 40 Gbps thunderbolt enclosures if you want to check those out. Same storage would be something like a Samsung T9.
hopefully someday theyll come up with a thunderbolt hub like this one....
Yes, I'm not sure whey they have not made one yet. I'm keeping an eye open.
Is there any hubs similar to this model that support the thunder bolt connection speed?
Right now I don't know of any on the market. I did a video on a few enclosures that can get up to 2,800 MB/s but they are not hubs also. You can find those on my channel.
I don't understand why the limitation in capacity? what if i have a 2.5" sss 8tb and a 4tb m.2...that is useful!
I havne't tested it as I don't have a drive larger then 4TB but it states that. It could very well work.
The USB-Cto USB-C cable provided seems kind of short. Is it long enough to reach the UBC-C on the iMac 24” and still allow the iMac to sit on top of the hub and have the hub output ports facing frontward?
If you put the hub under the iMac the cord is long enough to reach the ports on the M1 or M3 iMacs. I have not tested it on the 27" yet. Thanks for watching the channel again.
@@craigneidel Thanks for the quick reply!
Welcome
Could you use one SSD for strorage and the other for time machine backup?
Yes, they show up as two different drives so that would work.
Hi Craig: Do you know any Ultra Sharp monitor for Macbook Air M2?
I have a video on monitors for macs if you search my channel. Obviously the Studio display or the Benq which I also did a video on which is 4K and 32" a few weeks ago. Thank.
Question:
How should or would want to format the 2.5SSD? I mean what do you recommend and why?
Depends on what you are formatting for. I'm a Mac channel so I format usually with APFS. If you want to use with both Mac and Win PC then format with ExFAT.
@@craigneidel thanks I had used apple journal stuff 😂, but will go APFS.
Thanks for the fast reply
Ok, thank you.
I use Satechi's model. But NVME is pretty hot all the time. You cannot keep your finger on it for more than 4-5 seconds. I don't know if that's the case with you? And is it normal? And especially when the disk is not being used, it is still hot?
They do heat up but make sure you maybe get some thicker thermal tape from Amazon and try your best to cool them. Most M.2 NVMe drives will produce a good amount of heat.
@@craigneidel Is it the same with 2'5 SSD?
No, with 2.5" drives there is no heat.
Limitations: 1) still “external” drives can’t use Time Machine backup. 2) Folders and photos libraries are shared, not private to individual to each user account, if you have more than one on a mac.
You can backup to drives with time machine. It's an external enclosure yes not internal storage.
Hi back up to external drives with time machine on my MacBook Pro every day. It works just fine. Also users have separate photo libraries and folders that are user from a different login. Can’t access unless you have the proper password. I’m not sure exactly what you’re referring to, but I work in an organization that shares laptops and I’ve never been able to figure out how to do it if you didn’t have the other users password
Would an SSD in that hub by ideal for TimeMachine backups?
Yes it's good for backups like time machine.
Amazon link to the hub seems to be broken
I added one back that works not but it's saying it's not available right now. I'm not sure if this is because it's out of stock but will try and find out more.
I love apple and their products but prices for hard drive and ram upgrades are almost insane and borderline illegal. I will never upgrade a hard drive in a Mac again. I will always use externals and I’ve done that for like the last three years. RAM is a different story depending upon your case you might need more ram, but a normal user who just access the web and email and video 8 GB is fine. When you start doing video editing or just a ton of things at the same time 16 gig is probably a good idea.
Yes, it's crazy how much they add for Ram and SSD space. But ram is essential I think now in 2024 and I think most should just get the 16 GB. They will be a bit happier with that.
These MC25 PRO do not work well with Sonoma, there is not enough power for faster NVME drives and it simply shuts down (ejecting). I own one and i would not recommend. Works really fast when it works but whenever i try to copy some bigger files or put some load to the disk it shuts down. The additional USB-C power port is just for the front USB. It does not power the internal disks.
I use mine for backing up files and have not seen that unless I'm trying to run a HDD not SSD. I run two SSDs.
Hate to see the price in Canada
Yes, I'm sure it's quite a bit more.
Not sure what that is but thanks I guess.