Will using a Hub damage my Mac mini M4?

Question

Will using a Hub damage my Mac mini M4?

I have recently purchased an M4 mini mac and love it but I know that i will soon run out of connection ports.

I have been looking at purchasing a separate hub/dock but most seem to be designed for laptops and have power delivery through the host USB C/thunderbolt connection. I could get a hub with pass through power delivery and not connect any pass through power but I would like something a bit more substantial and permanent. (Cal digit, Plugable 16 in 1 and the like).

I don't need power delivery from the hub so will these hubs damage my mini mac (as it has its own power supply) or am I safe to assume if the hub is compatible with a mac book, they will not damage by mini mac.

Other than some hubs suitable for the older (larger) mini mac, all the reviews I can find use laptops and list compatibility with just laptops!

Regards Phil

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 11, 2024 7:23 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

152,428 points

Nov 11, 2024 1:48 PM in response to Spendanddeliver

Ah, one of the disadvantages of being the "first kid on the block" is that peripheral devices, created by third-parties, may not be readily available.

FWIW, I have a 2023 mini and have the OWC miniStack STX. Not exactly what you are looking for, but my guess is that OWC will be coming out with these and dedicated hubs for the new 2024 minis soon enough. Although I'm eager to get one of those new models myself, I'm holding off, for two reasons: 1) peripheral compatibility, and 2) to make sure that Apple works out any "growing pains" with them (the 2024 mini in this case.) I know I see a number of these with the Mac Studios here at the ASC.

But to get back to your question. A quality hub should not pose any "danger" to use with your new mini. However, you still may want to consider holding off to see what comes available.

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Answer 2

Nov 13, 2024 1:33 AM in response to Tesserax

Thanks Tesserax - I think your advice re holding off is good. I am still setting it up with my data and can manually swap connections if I need to print/scan etc. Not ideal but it works!

I might just fire off an email to a couple of relevant companies to see what they say.

Having had further thoughts, powering devices via USB is not new, I have charged all sorts of odd accessories using USB cable for years. I guess being able to charge a laptop is much the same, just a different level of power and manufacturers are just pushing the idea that you can leave your laptop charging brick in the bag.

Re being the new kid on the block - I have notices a few quirks like not being able to eject USB sticks, it not wanting to Sleep and if it sleeps without being logged out, I can't switch users. Maybe nothing new, just me being new to Macs. Having said all that it is a great machine and far less 'hassel' than the Windows 10 machine it replaced.

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