The M4 Mac mini Accessory You've Been Waiting For
The M4 Mac Mini is a compact and powerful device, but its limited connectivity can create challenges for users seeking to maximize its potential. With no USB-A ports, no SD card slots, and limited internal storage, users often find themselves needing additional hardware to bridge these gaps. Docking hubs provide a practical solution, offering expanded ports, additional storage options, and seamless integration to enhance productivity. The video below from Mark Ellis Reviews reviews six docking hubs, each designed to address these limitations and cater to different user needs.
Watch this video on YouTube. Why the M4 Mac Mini Benefits from a Docking Hub
Despite its impressive performance, the M4 Mac Mini has several inherent limitations that can hinder productivity and convenience: No USB-A ports: Many peripherals, such as external drives and older devices, still rely on this widely used connection type.
Many peripherals, such as external drives and older devices, still rely on this widely used connection type. No SD or microSD card slots: Transferring files from cameras or other devices becomes cumbersome without these ports.
Transferring files from cameras or other devices becomes cumbersome without these ports. Limited internal storage: Power users or those working with large files may quickly exhaust the available space.
Power users or those working with large files may quickly exhaust the available space. Hard-to-reach power button: The placement of the power button can be inconvenient, especially when the device is mounted or positioned in tight spaces.
Docking hubs address these shortcomings by adding essential ports, expanding storage capacity, and improving accessibility. Whether you're a casual user or a professional, a docking hub can significantly enhance your workflow. Below, we evaluate six docking hubs, each offering unique features to meet a variety of needs. Comparing Docking Hub Features 1. Setchi Hub
The Setchi hub is a compact and affordable option priced at $99. It is designed for users who value simplicity and functionality without unnecessary complexity. Key features include: USB-A ports: Ideal for connecting legacy devices.
Ideal for connecting legacy devices. SD card slot: Enables quick and easy file transfers from cameras or other devices.
Enables quick and easy file transfers from cameras or other devices. SSD storage expansion: Supports up to 4TB of additional storage.
Its integrated USB-C cable ensures a clean and straightforward setup, making it a practical choice for everyday use. 2. Mini Sapuru Hub
Priced at $119, the Mini Sapuru hub offers a broader range of features, making it suitable for multimedia enthusiasts. Its key features include: USB-A and microSD slots: Provide versatile connectivity for various devices.
Provide versatile connectivity for various devices. Headphone jack: Supports audio devices for enhanced multimedia experiences.
Supports audio devices for enhanced multimedia experiences. SSD storage expansion: Allows up to 4TB of additional storage.
Allows up to 4TB of additional storage. 4K monitor output: Enables high-resolution external display support.
This hub is ideal for users who need a combination of multimedia options and additional storage capacity. 3. Miniuru Hub
The Miniuru hub, priced at $100, is designed for users who prioritize speed and accessibility. Its features include: USB-C and USB-A ports: Offer 10Gbps transfer speeds for fast data transfers.
Offer 10Gbps transfer speeds for fast data transfers. Side-mounted design: Provides easier access to the power button, improving usability.
However, it lacks an HDMI port, which may be a limitation for users requiring external display connectivity. 4. UGreen Hub
The UGreen hub, priced at $120, is a versatile option that caters to users with demanding storage and connectivity needs. Its features include: High-speed USB-A and USB-C ports: Support 10Gbps transfer speeds for efficient data handling.
Support 10Gbps transfer speeds for efficient data handling. SSD storage expansion: Accommodates up to 8TB of additional storage.
Accommodates up to 8TB of additional storage. Display port: Enables external monitor connectivity for enhanced productivity.
This hub is well-suited for users who require extensive storage capacity and fast data transfer speeds. 5. UGreen Revo Max 213
As a premium option, the UGreen Revo Max 213 is priced at $360 and offers advanced features for professionals. Key highlights include: 13 ports: Includes Thunderbolt 4, Ethernet, and other connections for maximum versatility.
Includes Thunderbolt 4, Ethernet, and other connections for maximum versatility. Universal compatibility: Works seamlessly with a wide range of devices beyond the M4 Mac Mini.
While it lacks an SSD enclosure, this hub is ideal for users who need extensive connectivity and top-tier performance for demanding workflows. 6. Budget Option
For users on a tight budget, this $88 hub provides essential features without major compromises. Its features include: SSD storage expansion: Supports up to 8TB of additional storage.
Supports up to 8TB of additional storage. Basic connectivity options: Sufficient for everyday use and casual workflows.
This hub is a cost-effective solution for users seeking functionality and affordability. Choosing the Right Docking Hub for Your Needs
Selecting the right docking hub depends on your specific requirements and priorities. Here's a quick guide to help you decide: Setchi Hub: A balanced option for users seeking simplicity and essential features at an affordable price.
A balanced option for users seeking simplicity and essential features at an affordable price. Mini Sapuru Hub: Perfect for multimedia enthusiasts who need features like 4K monitor support and a headphone jack.
Perfect for multimedia enthusiasts who need features like 4K monitor support and a headphone jack. Miniuru Hub: Ideal for users prioritizing speed and easy access to the power button.
Ideal for users prioritizing speed and easy access to the power button. UGreen Hub: Best for those requiring extensive storage capacity and high-speed data transfer.
Best for those requiring extensive storage capacity and high-speed data transfer. UGreen Revo Max 213: Tailored for professionals needing advanced connectivity and performance.
Tailored for professionals needing advanced connectivity and performance. Budget Option: A practical choice for users looking for essential features without overspending.
By understanding your workflow and connectivity needs, you can make an informed decision and unlock the full potential of your M4 Mac Mini. Whether you're a casual user, a multimedia creator, or a professional, there's a docking hub on this list to meet your requirements.
Dive deeper into M4 Mac Mini accessories with other articles and guides we have written below.
Source & Image Credit: Mark Ellis Reviews Filed Under: Apple, Guides, Hardware
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Amazon fan deal: pocket-sized cooler now £6.99 in limited-time offer
For just £6.99 you can get an ultra-compact folding fan with a 4,000rpm cooling speed | Amazon This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. A limited-time Amazon deal has reduced a powerful, ultra-portable fan to just £6.99 – and it's small enough to carry in your bag or stash in a drawer for summer emergencies. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When the mercury rises and the temperature outside starts to become uncomfortable the cheapest way to get some relief from the heat is to get a fan running. And it doesn't get much cheaper than this remarkable little device we've found on Amazon. Small enough to fit in a handbag, but with a 4,000rpm fan built in, it's one of the most compact personal fans we've seen, and it costs just £6.99 if you can catch an Amazon limited-time deal. Its folding stand is ideal for desk or table tops | Amazon With a foldable desktop stand, the fan can sit on a surface or, with the stand folded away, it can be used as a personal fan. It has a built-in battery, and it recharges from USB, with a claimed battery life of up to six hours on its low settings. The three fan speeds are designed around types of use. So if it's sitting close to you on a desk, or on a bedside while you're sleeping, the 2,500rpm "gentle" setting will be ideal. Or you could ramp it up to the "turbo" setting for the full 4,000rpm blast - although the battery is likely to only last a few hours. On a low setting, the fan is quiet enough to sleep next to | Amazon The fans are available in four colours, but to unlock the 30% discount and grab one for £6.99, you'd need to choose the black one. Pink and purple ones are available, but they're only discounted by 15%, so you'd have to pay £10.19. There is a cheaper white version, that said, and it's only £7.99 at the time of writing. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you'd qualify for next-day delivery, so your fan would arrive just in time for a warm weekend.
ITV News
2 days ago
- ITV News
Dynamic pricing benefits Uber but customers and drivers are worse off, study says
Analysis from Oxford University shows dynamic pricing benefits Uber at the expense of drivers and customers, as ITV News Business and Economics Editor Joel Hills reports 'It doesn't cost them anything to run this vehicle. They don't pay the fuel. They don't pay the insurance. I'm the one paying. So why do they get 40%?' More than 100,000 people in the UK drive for Uber. Some of them, like Abdurzak Hadi, a veteran of 11 years, have spent their careers navigating London's streets. Others share their experiences, good and bad, on social media. '£300 a day, that's £10,000 a month… of course I'm rich,' said one driver on YouTube. For many others, the reality of driving for Uber is different. 'It's minimum wage, it's less than the minimum wage,' said another. In March 2023, Uber changed the way it calculates fares. Known as 'dynamic pricing,' the new system uses algorithms to adjust trip prices in real time based on demand, location, driver availability, and even the weather. The price you pay is no longer just about how far or how long you travel. It's shaped by where you are, what time it is, how many other people are requesting rides, and how many drivers are nearby. If there's a surge, like after a concert or during a deluge, prices can quickly jump. Uber says dynamic pricing helps ensure customers can always get a lift and that higher prices encourage more drivers to log on. But a new study from Oxford University suggests this change came at a cost to drivers and customers alike. Five academics at the University of Oxford's Department of Computer Science analysed 1.5 million trips by 258 Uber drivers in the UK between 2016 and 2024. Their findings are stark. After the introduction of dynamic pricing: The average customer fare per hour rose from £32.82 to £43.50 The average driver pay per hour, adjusted for inflation, fell from £22.20 to £19.06 Drivers are now spending an extra 23 minutes a day waiting for trips Uber's income per driver hour rose from £8.47 to £11.70 Perhaps most strikingly, the study found Uber's 'take rate' - the share of each fare it keeps - has risen significantly. While the company used to take around 25%, the average has increased to 29%, with some trips seeing more than 50% taken by Uber. 'The thing that most surprised me,' said Reuben Binns, Associate Professor at Oxford's Department of Computer Science, 'was that the higher the value of the trip, the more of a cut Uber takes. So the more the customer pays, the less the driver actually earns per minute.' I asked him if this could be considered exploitative. 'I think so,' he replied. Hadi remembers when the company took a flat 20% of every fare and shared that information clearly. Since dynamic pricing was introduced, Uber has stopped disclosing what fee it takes on individual trips. When we compared what Uber charged us for the ride with what it paid Hadi, we found Uber's cut was nearly 40%. After costs like fuel, insurance, and car rental, Hadi says he earns £10 an hour 'on a good day' - below the UK minimum wage. 'I feel cheated,' he told ITV News. 'My hard-earned money is being taken away from me.' The Worker Info Exchange helped drivers obtain their journey data from Uber using GDPR requests. The data was then passed to the team from Oxford University. James Farrarr formed the Worker Info Exchange after his experiences as an Uber driver. Several years ago, Hadi was one of the drivers who took Uber to court over employment rights and won. Today, he's a union member and says he's ready to fight again, this time over dynamic pricing. 'If you don't fight, you won't win. But if you do fight - there's a chance.' He says Uber's strategy of encouraging as many drivers as possible to log on, to keep rides readily available, inevitably creates winners and losers. Crucially, drivers aren't paid for the time they spend waiting between trips. 'We urgently need powers to cap the number of vehicles Uber is allowed to put on the road,' he told ITV News. 'And we need proper transparency from Uber about how drivers are paid.' He added: 'We [also] need to end this kind of algorithm trickery. In dynamic pay systems, everybody's entitled to understand on what basis they're being paid, on what basis they're being paid, on what basis the work is being allocated to them.' Uber declined an interview for this a statement, the company said it 'does not recognise the figures' in the Oxford report and insists that all UK drivers receive weekly earnings summaries, "which shows exactly how much Uber kept across the past seven days'. The company says its take rate 'does vary a bit from week to week and from one driver to another, depending on the trips they took,' but that 'the percentage kept by Uber has remained stable for several years.' However, Uber did not specify what that average is. Uber also says UK drivers collectively earned £1 billion in the first three months of this year and that the company's pricing model ensures a balance between rider demand and driver supply. Uber was once seen as the original disruptor, making travelling by taxi faster, cheaper, and easier. But its treatment of drivers attracted strong criticism. In recent years, the company's reputation has improved, especially after Uber agreed to give drivers more employment protections in the UK. But as dynamic pricing reshapes the experience for drivers and customers alike, new questions are being raised about fairness, transparency, and who's really benefiting. The original bad boy of the gig economy is in hot water again.
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
Nintendo can put your Switch 2 permanently offline if you use mods
People are learning the hard way what happens if you try to run modified games on Nintendo Switch 2. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 may mark a new era for Nintendo, but one thing that will never change is the company's dislike of pirates and modders. Nintendo is fiercely protective of its hardware and software, which is why it has routinely forced emulators to be shut down. The story of Gary Bowser in 2023 also shows how ruthless the company can be towards those it catches modifying Nintendo hardware. So, it should come as no surprise that Nintendo has been proactive in preventing such activity with the Switch 2, with reports throughout the week revealing that the console can detect pirated or modified software and permanently disable all online connectivity as punishment for using them. Some Switch 2 owners have reported such instances after attempting to use a device called a MIG Switch on the console. The MIG Switch is a cartridge that you can dump Switch games onto, essentially serving as an all-in-one cartridge for your game library. While you can download pirated game files from the internet onto the MIG Switch, some use it as a means of backing up Switch games they've legally bought, though Nintendo clearly doesn't care about that distinction. Since the Switch 2 is backwards compatible, those who own a MIG Switch cartridge decided to see if it works on the new console. Apparently, it should following a firmware update, but it seems Nintendo was one step ahead of them. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. According to the likes of SwitchTools on X and givemeupvotes on Reddit, using the MIG cartridge will prompt an error message and ban you from accessing Nintendo's online services forever more. It doesn't appear to brick the console entirely, however. As demonstrated in a YouTube video by Scattered Brain, it's still possible to access and play games offline, so it's not as if the ban turns the console into a paperweight. More Trending That said, the ban is believed to be built into the hardware itself, and is independent of your Nintendo account. The ban makes it impossible to unlink the account and virtual game cards from the console and when Scattered Brain attempted a factory reset, that wound up bricking their console entirely. Nintendo's policy is that it warns Switch 2 owners not to mess around with the hardware like this. In fact, ahead of the console's launch, it updated its account services user agreement to say it has the right to 'render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part' if you violate its policy. At least, that's what the US version reads, though we can't imagine there's any more leeway here in the UK since it still states any hardware modifications violate Nintendo's code of conduct. Despite all this, it's unlikely this will put an end to any Nintendo related piracy. People are stubborn and are bound to try and come up with workarounds, regardless of the threat of legal action. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Switch 2 replica leaker learns why you shouldn't upset Nintendo and their lawyers MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 owner loses 20 years' worth of save data in botched transfer MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 sales numbers smash records in the US and worldwide
