Best docking station for Mac mini M4/M4 Pro with all essential ports

Question

Best docking station for Mac mini M4/M4 Pro with all essential ports

Does anyone know if it is expected to be released a docking station for the new Mac Mini M4/M4 Pro with all relevant ports and interfaces?

By relevant I mean traditional USB-A and SD Card reader on the front + jack 3.5mm and USB-A on the back + NVME disk slot.

I see a lot of new docking stations but none of them have "everything" I consider important.

The majority don't include a jack 3.5mm on the back for speakers nor a USB-A on the back for a web cam.

The only one I consider to be "complete", so far, is the "RayCue Mac Mini M4 Dock", but it misses the height or the leverage to facilitate the click on the Mac Mini button and its reviews are disapointing...

Do you know any other solution that meets the expectations I described?

Am I the only one with all of these "needs" ?

Thank you very much.

Kind regards

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Jan 16, 2025 2:40 AM

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Answer 1

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Top-ranking reply

Ajrubinstein

Level 1

18 points

Feb 24, 2025 5:21 PM in response to 59Bob

None of the solutions to date provide cutting edge utilization of the M4 Mini's TB5 ports. One would hope that they could leverage at least 40-80 Gbps with provisions for SSD expansion and at least TB4/USB4 ports. Personally, I could care less about another HDMI and a couple low level USB-A ports.

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Answer 2

tbirdvet

Level 6

15,659 points

Jan 16, 2025 10:21 AM in response to antoniomsvenancio

You do not need to use the power button ever unless you need to go to recovery mode. I leave mine on all the time and just have the display turn off after a set time. I also have my Mac Mini M4 on a 4 legged stand so access to the power button is provided even though hardly used. I found with all docks that not all the connections are on the side that I want so need to make trade-offs. No dock controls power to your Mac.

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

182,536 points

Jan 16, 2025 10:37 AM in response to antoniomsvenancio

If you're not in a hurry, you might consider this:

https://satechi.net/landing/new-stand-and-hub-m4-mac-mini

It doesn't have an audio out on the back, but you could consider a USB-to-audio adapter.

Regards.

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Answer 4

Feb 5, 2025 10:24 AM in response to antoniomsvenancio

Hi Antonio ...

I am with you all the way concerning your needs for a total package docking station for my Mini M4 Pro. Rear 3.5mm audio jack, easy power button access, rear port for webcam, and 8TB NVMe ssd for Time Machine are things I am interested in. I am not interested in SD slots. I have reviewed models from:

Satechi

Gewokly

Raycue

PULWTOP

AKKYAJAURE

The PULWTOP comes closest to what I want but reviews say that the Mini M4 slides around on top of the dock and does not "seat" onto it. Otherwise I would buy that one. One reviewer mentioned using two sided tape on it. I wish I could take what I like best features from each and make one.

I am disappointed that OWC has not come forward with an offering under their brand. I like their quality.

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Answer 5

Jan 16, 2025 5:49 AM in response to tbirdvet

Thank you for sharing!!

But this one also:

Does not facilitate the access to the button (it is not a requirement for me, but since it is a "known small issue" and can be solved adapting the docks design, I really don't understand why the brands don't present a solution for it).
Doesn't have the jack 3.5mm on the back for speakers - I would like to hide all the cables so I want one that allows me to connect my speakers without seeing the cable.

Maybe this is a stupid question, but using a docking station like that, I don't need to use the power adapter from the Mac mini right?

Thanks

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Answer 6

Feb 26, 2025 1:24 AM in response to Brent Wilson

Yes they have. I already tried it. It kinda works, but if I connect the speakers through the 3.5mm audio monitor, then I loose the capability of controlling the volume slider to control the volume.

The sound from my monitors is controlled on their buttons and I cannot manage it on the MacOS like when I connect the external speakers to the Mac mini front port:

External Speakers (controllable):

Monitor Sound (Not Controllable):

When I connect the external speakers to 1 of the monitors I loose the ability to control it anymore.

Also, on another topic, I really feel the need of a web cam connected to the back part of the Mac mini...

It was amazing if some brand released a good docking soon---

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Answer 7

Mar 15, 2025 10:42 AM in response to varjak paw

I have this, but the problem I have is that all the ports are in the front. So it still looks like a mess. but the power button is indeed solved. It's also usb c 3.2 or whatever, so it doesn't have thunderbolt. I have a 2 tb drive in mine and it gets like 980 down, which is fast enough for me, but not as useful as it could be if that was the main drive.

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Answer 8

59Bob

Level 1

6 points

Feb 1, 2025 12:09 AM in response to tbirdvet

Mac mini M4 Power switch issues.

Simple, effective & very cheap.

Requirements:-

1 x ordinary power extension cable (Local hardware stores) length to your requirements.
1 x Junction box (Local hardware stores)
1 x electrical switch (Like a light switch or push on - push off) (Local hardware stores) 240v or whatever your country uses.
2 x cable connectors (Local hardware stores)

Cut extension cable in two at the length you need to go from wall socket to say under your desk.

Drill two holes in junction box one either end.

Insert Incoming power cable from wall socket into box

Insert Outgoing power cable, out the other side of box.

Install switch to outer side of box.

Terminate incoming live conductor to one side of switch.

Terminate outgoing live conductor to other side of switch.

Terminate neutral & earths up to each other.

Fix Junction box to the most appropriate position (ie under your desk top bottom side)

Plug cable that came with the Mini M4 into the device.

Plug into wall socket.

Switch on & you have a very handy switch to use to switch off your mini M4 as required.

So basically you have an ordinary household extension cord with a switch in the middle.

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Answer 9

d_santos

Level 1

14 points

Jan 16, 2025 2:45 AM in response to antoniomsvenancio

That would be a wonderful option to have.

I believe a lot of people would benefit from a product like that.

Hope one day we can have it.

Best,

DS

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Answer 10

Mar 10, 2025 2:00 PM in response to MacMiniM4

I hope it works out well for you. I'm still holding out for one with a 3.5mm audio out jack on the back and easy access to the power switch.

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Answer 11

Jan 16, 2025 11:07 AM in response to varjak paw

Thank you very much for your suggestion.

I already saw that dock, but it doesn't have neither the jack on the back nor a usb-C or usb-A on the back to connect a web cam.

I am just trying to hide all the wires :D

Thank you anyway! :)

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Answer 12

Jan 16, 2025 11:29 AM in response to varjak paw

Thank you again for your answer!

Yes, I have all 3 ports of the Mac mini because I am using 3 monitors.

That is the reason why I would like to have the jack and one more usb (for the speakers and web cam respectively).

Even if it does not elevate the Mac for making the access to the button easier, if it has that 2 ports I mentioned for me it's fine (I also don't need neither SD Card reader nor the NVME slot as mentioned before - I was just trying to understand if there is in the market any "full package" being sell).

Regards.

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Answer 13

Mar 14, 2025 10:22 AM in response to Brent Wilson

I'd like to see what OWC develops for the new Mini, too. BUT, I just "chatted" with them and they were totally uncommitted about any plans to update their M1 Mini dock for the new Mini. Essentially, "maybe we will, maybe we won't". I guess we'll just have to wait, but with so many others building docks, I'm hopeful that the won't surrender the market.