Best docking station for Mac mini M4/M4 Pro with all essential ports

Hi Antonio ...

I am with you all the way concerning your needs for a total package docking station for my Mini M4 Pro. Rear 3.5mm audio jack, easy power button access, rear port for webcam, and 8TB NVMe ssd for Time Machine are things I am interested in. I am not interested in SD slots. I have reviewed models from:

Satechi

Gewokly

Raycue

PULWTOP

AKKYAJAURE

The PULWTOP comes closest to what I want but reviews say that the Mini M4 slides around on top of the dock and does not "seat" onto it. Otherwise I would buy that one. One reviewer mentioned using two sided tape on it. I wish I could take what I like best features from each and make one.

I am disappointed that OWC has not come forward with an offering under their brand. I like their quality.

You do not need to use the power button ever unless you need to go to recovery mode. I leave mine on all the time and just have the display turn off after a set time. I also have my Mac Mini M4 on a 4 legged stand so access to the power button is provided even though hardly used. I found with all docks that not all the connections are on the side that I want so need to make trade-offs. No dock controls power to your Mac.

If you're not in a hurry, you might consider this:

https://satechi.net/landing/new-stand-and-hub-m4-mac-mini

It doesn't have an audio out on the back, but you could consider a USB-to-audio adapter.

Regards.

None of the solutions to date provide cutting edge utilization of the M4 Mini's TB5 ports. One would hope that they could leverage at least 40-80 Gbps with provisions for SSD expansion and at least TB4/USB4 ports. Personally, I could care less about another HDMI and a couple low level USB-A ports.

That would be a wonderful option to have.

I believe a lot of people would benefit from a product like that.

Hope one day we can have it.

Best,

DS

Mac mini M4 Power switch issues.

Simple, effective & very cheap.

Requirements:-

1. 1 x ordinary power extension cable (Local hardware stores) length to your requirements.
2. 1 x Junction box (Local hardware stores)
3. 1 x electrical switch (Like a light switch or push on - push off) (Local hardware stores) 240v or whatever your country uses.
4. 2 x cable connectors (Local hardware stores)

Cut extension cable in two at the length you need to go from wall socket to say under your desk.

Drill two holes in junction box one either end.

Insert Incoming power cable from wall socket into box

Insert Outgoing power cable, out the other side of box.

Install switch to outer side of box.

Terminate incoming live conductor to one side of switch.

Terminate outgoing live conductor to other side of switch.

Terminate neutral & earths up to each other.

Fix Junction box to the most appropriate position (ie under your desk top bottom side)

Plug cable that came with the Mini M4 into the device.

Plug into wall socket.

Switch on & you have a very handy switch to use to switch off your mini M4 as required.

So basically you have an ordinary household extension cord with a switch in the middle.

Here is one but does not have a slot for NVME but I believe Acacias is about to release one that does.

https://www.cablematters.com/pc-1626-133-11-in-1-thunderbolt-5-dock-with-thunderbolt-share.aspx?srsltid=AfmBOoo_N2xtchLEzQZ4bAEGDfj4psXTgXRiC0-qUABskhwqfobkkugK

Sorry, I thought it had ports on the back, but I see now that it doesn't. The mini itself has three USB ports on the back, though. Would that not be enough? If not, then I don't think you're like to find an existing or announced dock that has all the features you're asking for, though none of us can predict the future.

As to the power issue, though, most modern devices still use a small bit of power even when "turned off", and often it's an almost negligible difference compared to just being "asleep". So depending on what perpherals you're using, that may be an non-issue.

Regards.

Nothing else is going to give you easy access to the power button, though I've seen people report that they just put the mini on its side. Whether that would affect cooling I can't confirm. I also haven't yet found a dock that has an analog audio output on the back, probably because most people want to use headphones and so want the output on the front. With enough open ports, you could consider a USB-to-analog adapter. As to your other requirements, if you can go without an NVME slot that opens up other possibilities. Here's another one you could look at:

https://www.owc.com/solutions/thunderbolt-3-dock-14-port

There are other vendors making docks with similar specs including the aforementioned Satechi.

Regards.

I came across an advert from this company. They claim SSD enclosure fixed underneath the M4.

https://minisopuru.com/products/mini4pro?srsltid=AfmBOoqnMyrwLz5CFMS2sSZA9T91-Gq-OwmI6kFfEzNob3dyVb_HODLH

Anyone any idea?