So, I got this Mac Mini a while back, and it’s awesome, super fast, but man, those ports… Not nearly enough! I constantly found myself plugging and unplugging stuff. My external hard drive, my SD card reader, my microphone for voiceovers… it was a mess. I needed a solution, and that solution was a USB-C hub.
I started looking around, and wow, are there a lot of options! Big ones, small ones, some with a million different ports, some super sleek and minimalist. It was a little overwhelming, to be honest.
My Requirements
I made a little list of what I absolutely needed:
- At least two USB-A ports: For my older devices, like my external hard drive and keyboard.
- An SD card reader: I’m always transferring photos and videos.
- Power Delivery (PD): I wanted to be able to charge my Mac Mini through the hub, so I wouldn’t lose a precious USB-C port.
- Small and Portable:I Didn’t want a monster, just simple is good for me.
The Hunt
I started browsing, reading reviews, watching videos. Some hubs had issues with overheating, others had connectivity problems. I finally settled on one that seemed to tick all the boxes. I ordered it, and it arrived a couple of days later.
The Setup
Unboxing was easy. I plugged the hub into one of the Mac Mini’s USB-C ports, and then started connecting my devices. External hard drive? Check. SD card reader? Check. My keyboard? Check. I plugged in my Mac Mini’s power cable into the hub’s PD port, and voila! Everything was working.
Does it really work?
I’ve been using this setup for a few weeks now, and it’s been great. No more constant plugging and unplugging. I can transfer files from my SD card without any issues. My Mac Mini charges perfectly through the hub. It’s exactly what I needed. I made some video transfor, all good!
One minor thing, it does get a little warm when I’m pushing it hard, like when I’m transferring a ton of files. But it’s never gotten hot enough to worry me. and the hub keeps working good without any interuption.
So, yeah, that’s my USB-C hub story. It’s a small thing, but it’s made a big difference in my workflow. If you’re a Mac Mini user, and you’re struggling with the limited ports, I definitely recommend getting a hub. Just do your research and find one that fits your needs.