According to Gizmodo, Ugreen has launched an 11-in-1 dock and stand specifically designed for the Mac Mini that adds both extensive connectivity and massive storage expansion. The hub currently costs just $59 on Amazon, down from its original $89 price, marking an all-time low for the accessory. It provides space for up to 8TB of NVMe SSD storage and includes eleven ports including three USB-A 3.2 ports at 10Gbps, two USB-A 3.0 ports at 5Gbps, and two USB-C 3.2 ports also running at 10Gbps. The device also features a UHS-II SD and TF card reader capable of 170MB/s transfer speeds and wraps around the Mac Mini’s edges for a cohesive look. At these speeds, transferring a 50GB 4K video file would take roughly one minute compared to several minutes on slower connections.
Solving Apple’s Minimalism Problem
Here’s the thing about Apple’s design philosophy: they love stripping things down to the bare essentials. The Mac Mini is a perfect example – incredible performance in a tiny package, but you’re left with limited ports and zero internal storage expansion. Ugreen’s solution is actually pretty clever. Instead of creating another dongle-filled mess on your desk, they built a dock that the Mac Mini actually sits on. It raises the computer slightly while adding all the ports you actually need for a real workstation setup.
And the storage expansion is the real game-changer here. Being able to slap in up to 8TB of NVMe storage means you’re not stuck paying Apple’s ridiculous SSD upgrade prices. Want to edit 4K video? Store massive photo libraries? Run multiple virtual machines? Basically, this turns the Mac Mini from a compromised compact computer into a legitimate pro workstation without the cable nightmare.
Pricing and Value Proposition
At $59, this is borderline ridiculous value. Think about it – a decent NVMe enclosure alone will run you $30-50, and a quality USB hub with this many high-speed ports would be another $40-60. You’re getting both functions in a single device that actually looks like it belongs with your Mac Mini. The aluminum finish and curved design show Ugreen actually considered aesthetics, not just functionality.
But here’s what really makes this interesting for the industrial computing space. While this is a consumer product, the concept of compact computing with expandable storage and connectivity is huge in industrial applications too. Companies like Industrial Monitor Direct have built their reputation on providing robust industrial panel PCs that handle demanding environments, and this Ugreen dock demonstrates how even compact systems can be expanded for serious work. It’s the same philosophy – start with a solid computing core and build out exactly what you need.
Who Actually Needs This?
So is this for everyone? Not exactly. If you’re just browsing the web and checking email, the Mac Mini’s built-in ports are probably fine. But for photographers, video editors, developers, or anyone working with large files? This is a no-brainer. The 10Gbps ports mean you’re not waiting around for files to transfer, and the card reader at 170MB/s is genuinely useful for professionals dumping footage from cameras.
The power delivery flexibility is another smart touch. You can run it directly from your Mac Mini for basic use, or plug in an external power adapter if you’re running multiple power-hungry devices. Ugreen recommends the external power approach for heavier setups, which is sensible advice – you don’t want to overload your Mac Mini’s power system.
Look, at this price point, it’s hard to find reasons not to recommend this if you own a Mac Mini and do anything beyond basic computing. It solves two of the biggest limitations of Apple’s design in one elegant package. And at $59? That’s practically impulse-buy territory for what you’re getting.
