Performance considerations in adapting USB-A to USB-C/Thunderbolt

Your printer and scanner will plug directly into the Mac mini's 2 USB-A ports, but leaves no extra USB-A ports.

A simple USB-C to USB 3.0 4 port hub will do fine for plugging your printer and scanner into a new iMac.

Any of the following USB-C to USB-A hubs will expand the number of Mac mini or iMac USB-A ports.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF224WX9/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS6SZL6Q/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V8FKC6K/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?

There would be no performance differences either way, because because the USB-C 2.0 printer and scanner are much slower than USB-A 3.0 or USB-C.

It may be a question of ensuring that you have enough expansion ports.

There are several ways in which you can attach several things to one USB-C port. From least expensive to most expensive, they are, roughly:

• USB-A hubs that plug into a USB-C port, and that offer four or more USB-A (USB 3.0) ports, but nothing else.
• USB-C docks.
• Thunderbolt docks.

With USB-C and Thunderbolt docks, you might get video ports, SDXC card slots, Gigabit Ethernet ports, and the ability to "pass through" charging power to a notebook computer, in addition to some USB-A ports.

If your scanner and printer are USB 2.0 devices, I'd think that there's not going to be much performance difference to consider.

If you do get a hub or dock, I would suggest getting one that is powered, or that can optionally be powered. While your scanner and printer are unlikely to want to draw power from USB-A ports, once you start plugging in multiple bus-powered drives or memory card readers, you might need more electrical power than an unpowered hub would be able to pass along from the computer.

RtisticFX wrote:

Thanks for the info.

You're welcome.

Honestly, I’m not sure those hubs will work. I’ve had connectivity issues even with a powered hub, which is why they’re plugged into the back of my current iMac.

The USB-C ports provide more power than USB-A ports. But probably not enough for both the Scanner and Printer.

I do wonder though. Would I just be able to use a cord like the one in the link? USB C to USB B 2.0?

https://a.co/d/gsBhZGR

Yes I would try that for the Epson scanner and then use AirPrint for the Canon Printer.

Some users have suggested that you buy a Hub.

But there are many who have problems after upgrading to Sonoma 14.4

See this thread:

After Sonoma 14.4 update USB hub not work… - Apple Community

If I were you I would wait...

A few hours ago the Sonoma 14.4.1 update came out and fixed the problem! 😅