New Apple Mac mini dock adds expandable NVMe SSD storage and more
Satechi has joined RayCue in introducing a purpose-built docking solution for the new Mac mini (curr. $559 on Amazon). Unlike RayCue though, Satechi has not actually released its alternative just yet. Instead, it has confirmed the device's design, features and has provided a rough idea of when it will be available.
On the one hand, Satechi's solution lacks the aluminium fins that sit atop RayCue's dock. As a result, Satechi's version makes the Mac mini look as if it were floating, at least from the images that the company has shared so far. It remains to be seen whether this will have any practical implications though, such as improved cooling or wireless performance.
Meanwhile, Satechi's dock does without a front-facing USB Type-C port and a MicroSD card reader present on RayCue's. By contrast, Satechi has included an SD 4.0 card slot, a single USB 2.0 Type-A port and a pair of USB 3.2 Type-A ports that deliver 10 Gbps transfer speeds apiece. Unfortunately, Satechi has not revealed any rear-facing ports for the time being.
With that being said, the Satechi 'Mac mini M4 Stand & Hub' supports M.2 SSDs running at 10 Gbps, just like the RayCue equivalent. Currently, Satechi estimates that it will begin selling its bespoke Mac mini dock in spring 2025. The company has not confirmed how much the dock and stand will cost, though. For context, the version for the last Mac mini still retails for $99.99 in the US.
