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User profile for user: Dr_John
Dr_John Author
User level: Level 1
25 points

USB 3.0 Hubs not compatible with M1 Mac mini

After a lot of problems I have discovered that a USB 3.0 hub does not work with the M1 Mac mini, however if you get a HUB that is 3.1 everything if fine. The symptoms are intermittent restarts, crashes, drives falling off line, and beach ball of death on almost every mouse click.


Once I got the USB 3.0 hub (and yes I tired several to be sure), everything worked fine. Once I attached a 3.1 hub all was good.


My question is why? what is so different between the 3.0 standard and the 3.1 standard that would cause this?

Mac mini, macOS 11.3

Posted on Jun 3, 2021 9:42 AM

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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
82,528 points

Posted on Jun 3, 2021 12:40 PM

Where those USB 3.0 Hubs that you tried, Bus-Powered or Self-Powered?

(Self-Powered as in, have an external power supply)


I suspect it is because the M1's USB-A ports have lower output, than it's predecessor or the M1's USB-C ports.


FWIW it is always best to use a Self-Power (USB-A or USB-C) Hub, if you plan on connecting Bus powered drives to it.

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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
82,528 points

Jun 3, 2021 12:40 PM in response to Dr_John

Where those USB 3.0 Hubs that you tried, Bus-Powered or Self-Powered?

(Self-Powered as in, have an external power supply)


I suspect it is because the M1's USB-A ports have lower output, than it's predecessor or the M1's USB-C ports.


FWIW it is always best to use a Self-Power (USB-A or USB-C) Hub, if you plan on connecting Bus powered drives to it.

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USB 3.0 Hubs not compatible with M1 Mac mini

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