USB and Wireless Keyboard / Mouse issues - Hub that works?

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Level 1

8 points

USB and Wireless Keyboard / Mouse issues - Hub that works?

Does anyone have a USB hub that works with the 2018 Mac Mini and Apple wireless keyboards? If so, what make and where to get it from, please.

I have a multi-port USB and memory card hub which I believe is USB 2. The hub works fine on my 2016 MacBook Pro and various PCs.

When I plug the hub into my new Mac mini, the wireless keyboard and mouse 'stutter' that is, when I'm typing, the character actually takes a noticeable time to be displayed and if I type a sentence I can go and make a coffee while the characters are read into the Mac at roughly 1-2 characters per second.

Similarly, mouse movement is affected although that appears more like the cursor jumping across the screen rather than smoothly scrolling.

When I disconnect the hub, the wireless devices work perfectly.

My feeling is that this is a hardware design issue and interrupt handling, which would be a worry as I can't see a firmware fix working for that?

Mac mini, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jul 13, 2019 2:12 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

93,232 points

Jul 13, 2019 5:51 AM in response to deskdata

Poorly shielded USB cables and devices (external hard drives, hubs, etc.) are know to cause bluetooth and wi-fi issues.

see > Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference - Apple Support

I would first try relocating the hub and all cables, as far away as possible from your Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

(none should be placed in-between you're Mac Mini and Bluetooth devices)

If that doesn't help, then I would try a different hub and cables that have thicker shielding.

(OWC macsales.com, sells, supports and stands behind all of their products)

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Answer 2

hcsitas

Level 6

13,970 points

Jul 14, 2019 12:59 AM in response to deskdata

You can get a reader that does it all like this one

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Reader-Adapter-5Gbps-Simultaneously/dp/B01ARAH6O0

Doesn’t get any more convenient!

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Answer 3

deskdata Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 13, 2019 11:33 AM in response to hcsitas

You do need a hub or similar device if you want to use SD cards... Shame Apple didn't include a card slot at the front, which would have been truly awesome.

Sadly I work in a world with USB 1 and USB 2 devices which haven't been upgraded to USB-C so I only have the luxury of 2 usable USB ports on my Mac Mini and 5 devices.

Oddly I've only found 1 company claiming that their USB-C hub is compatible with 2018 Mac mini and that hub is £85...

So I guess my search continues or I go back to my 2016 Mac Mini which works fine with the same peripherals.

Thanks

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Answer 4

deskdata Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 14, 2019 12:34 AM in response to hcsitas

Thank you, I wasn't aware of the adaptor and will definitely give that a try.

The SD card adaptor isn't enough on its own as I also have Sony Memory cards and USB memory sticks that I use - all much more convenient through the independent desktop reader unit.

Thanks again

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Answer 5

deskdata Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 13, 2019 11:22 AM in response to den.thed

Hi,

Thanks for this feedback.

Given that this is a unique situation with the Mac Mini, while the MacBook and a PC both work fine with the same hub and the same keyboard in the same relative positions (keyboard with MacBook only, of course) - I'm struggling to see this being a problem with the hub?

Also given there are many threads across the web echoing similar issues only with the 2018 Mac mini, I'm really looking for someone who has actually got a working solution.

Thanks

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Answer 6

hcsitas

Level 6

13,970 points

Jul 13, 2019 12:14 PM in response to deskdata

No, you can get a USB SD card reader, see here

https://www.gearhungry.com/best-sd-card-reader/

or shop direct on Amazon/EBay and search for USB SD card reader. Apple didn’t insert a card slot because it’s much easier to connect an adapter.

USB 1 and 2 devices can connect using Apple’s adapter https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter

or cables that are USB C on one end and USB Type A/B/micro on the other. Search Amazon/EBay.

Again, you have 6 USB ports which will connect flawlessly with any USB device. So go ahead, toss that hub, you won’t regret it.

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Answer 7

hcsitas

Level 6

13,970 points

Jul 13, 2019 9:12 AM in response to deskdata

With 6 USB ports, you don’t really need a hub. Do like me: toss it. You’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it earlier.

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USB and Wireless Keyboard / Mouse issues - Hub that works?

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