How to add extra USB-A Ports to Mac mini M2

Question

Level 1

6 points

How to add extra USB-A Ports to Mac mini M2

I need to add extra USB-A ports to my Mac mini M2, which has 2xUSB-A and 2xThunderbolt 4 ports. I currently have 4 USB-A external devices - an apple USB keyboard/mouse and 3 external hard drives (not SSDs). I want to replace one of these with an external 1TB SSD, and plan to change to SSDs for all external drives in due course. I also want 2 or 3 'spare' USB-A ports for other devices I use now and then - microphone, a Zoom recorder, iPhone, camera.

I don't think I currently need the speed of T4, and I don't have any devices with T4 connections. But it may be faster to connect an external SSD to T4 rather than USB3 (??). So ideally an adapter would give me 4 additional USB-As. I expect a USB-A adapter would be cheaper??

I've no need for additional ethernet or HDMI connectors. I might make use of an SD/XD card though.

Thanks

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini, macOS 14.3

Posted on Feb 26, 2024 08:42 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Rudegar

Level 10

178,794 points

Feb 26, 2024 09:00 AM in response to Sago48

you can get usb hubs with usb-a connector Amazon.com : usb hub

you can get usb hubs with usb-c connectors Amazon.com : usb hub ucb-c

you can get usb-c to usb-a adapter Amazon.com : usb-c to usb-a adapter

the worlds your oister

Reply

Answer 2

Feb 27, 2024 03:40 PM in response to Sago48

Sago48 wrote:

Perfect. Many thanks. No idea why my searches didn't come up with these bits of kit. Spoilt for choice now!

If you get a hub or dock, get one that has – or can have – its own power supply.

USB 2.0 only calls for host ports to provide 500 mA of current @ 5V. USB 3.0 only calls for host ports to provide 900 mA of current @ 5V. Some bus-powered drives will be happy to take the whole 900 mA, or close to it. So if your hub is only splitting up the power it gets from the computer, instead of drawing power from its own supply, you can run into situations where there isn't enough power for all of the accessories you plug in.

(This was an issue in USB-A days, too, before USB-C came along.)

Reply

Answer 3

Sago48 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 28, 2024 12:12 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Thanks. I've been aware over the years that power to USB sockets can be an issue, so thanks for reminding me it still is. For now I've opted for a USB3 to 4xUSB3 adapter and will see how well it works and whether it does what I want. Currently I don't need fast connections for my external drives, but will most likely use the Thunderbolt ports when I get external SSDs, rather than HDDs.

Reply