Versatile Docking Station to add a second monitor to 2020 MacMini M1

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Level 1

12 points

Versatile Docking Station to add a second monitor to 2020 MacMini M1

I looking for an effecient way to add a second monitor to my 2020 M1 MacMini that also doubles the USB-C and USB-B ports so I can add more wired devices.

I tried the EUASOO ES-DC004 but after working with their support team this docking station has two hosts and they cannot both work at the same time.

I'm looking for success stories that allow many wired devices to connect to the MacMini please share your setup and recommendations.

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Aug 9, 2021 11:29 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

159,288 points

Aug 9, 2021 1:34 PM in response to brainstewn

I will second samtenor's suggestion to look into OWC Thunderbolt docks. I use their Thunderbolt 3 Pro dock and it works great for me.

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Answer 2

samtenor

Level 4

2,074 points

Aug 9, 2021 1:15 PM in response to brainstewn

First, M1 can have 2 display - 1 via HDMI and the other via Thunderbolt.

https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/specs/

If you want to use Thunderbolt Dock/Hub (no matter how many display ports/VGA/DVI ..etc on it) to push 2 display (with M1 MacMini) - you will be disappointed.

Now, back to Thunderbolt 3 hub/dock -- it really depends your need (SD card reader, Thunderbolt 3 pass through etc, charging capacity, how many extra ports do you need) - it can vary a lot. And USB-C hub and Thunderbolt 3 hub - prices between these two are also different.

Personally, I prefer Thunderbolt 3 hub (more expensive) since I also attach Thunderbolt 3 drive to take advantage the speed.

OWC carries good selections of TB 3 hub. My friends use Caldigit docks and they all swear by it..

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Versatile Docking Station to add a second monitor to 2020 MacMini M1

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