*Extended dual displays are not supported on M1/M2 base chipsets; they are only supported on M3 Apple chipset computers in clamshell mode.

**System Requirements: Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, or USB 3.2 Gen2 with DP Alt Mode Type-C ports required for optimal use

MacBook Pro

• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5, 2025)
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4, 2024)
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4 Pro, 2024)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, M4 Pro, 2024)
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4 Max, 2024)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, M4 Max, 2024)
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3, 2023)*
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3 Pro, 2023)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro, 2023)
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3 Max, 2023)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Max, 2023)
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M2 Pro, 2023)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2 Pro, 2023)
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M2 Max, 2023)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2 Max, 2023)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022)*
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro, 2021)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1 Pro, 2021)
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Max, 2021)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1 Max, 2021)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)*
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 - 2019)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016 - 2019)

MacBook Air

• MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025)
• MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)
• MacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 2024)*
• MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024)*
• MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023)*
• MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022)*
• MacBook Air (13-inch, M1, 2020)*
• MacBook Air (Intel 13‑inch, 2018 - 2020)

iMac

• iMac (24-inch, M4, 2024)
• iMac (24-inch, M3, 2023)
• iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021)*
• iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019-2020)
• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
• iMac Pro (2017)

Mac Mini

• Mac mini (M4, 2024)
• Mac mini (M4 Pro, 2024)
• Mac mini (M2, 2023)
• Mac mini (M2 Pro, 2023)
• Mac mini (M1, 2020)
• Mac mini (2018)

Mac Studio

• Mac Studio (M4 Max, 2025)
• Mac Studio (M3 Ultra, 2025)
• Mac Studio (M2 Max, 2023)
• Mac Studio (M2 Ultra, 2023)
• Mac Studio (M1 Max, 2022)
• Mac Studio (M1 Ultra, 2022)

Mac Pro

• Mac Pro (2023)

iPad Pro

• iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, 2025)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, 2025)
• iPad Pro 13-inch (M4, 2024)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (M4, 2024)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)

Lenovo

• ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 (2024)
• ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition (2025)

HP

• Envy x360 2-in-1 (2024)
• Spectre x360 14 (2024)
• ZBook Ultra 14 G1a (2025) 

Dell

• Inspiron 16 Plus (2024)
• Inspiron 16 Plus (2025)  

Microsoft

• Surface Laptop Studio 2 (2023)
• Surface Laptop 7th Edition (2024)  

OS Compatibility**

• Windows 11, 10, 8
• macOS x 10.6-10.12 or later
• iOS/iPadOS 10.2 or later
• Linux 2.6.14 or later
• Chrome OS

We have designed our USB-C hubs, adapters, and docking stations to deliver the best experience when used in the Apple ecosystem; however, they are also compatible with many Windows PCs, provided the connection and host port support the required features.

Please keep in mind:

• Not all USB-C ports are created equal. If the USB-C port on your computer does not support DisplayPort Alternate Mode (also known as DP Alt Mode), then video output via our adapter may not be possible.
• Similarly, if your host device’s USB-C port does not support USB Power Delivery (PD) or an equivalent charging standard, then pass-through charging via our adapter will not function.

To check compatibility, please verify whether the USB-C port on your device supports one or more of the following:

• USB 3.x (USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 1/2, etc.)
• Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4
• USB4 (which, by specification, supports DP Alt Mode)

If your device’s port supports at least DP Alt Mode for video and a USB-C PD implementation for charging, you’re in good shape.

What types of SSDs are compatible with Satechi external NVMe enclosures?

Compatibility depends on the specific enclosure model.

For example, our USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure supports:

• M.2 NVMe (PCIe) drives only
• PCIe Gen 4x4
• Sizes: 2280 / 2260 / 2242mm
• Maximum bandwidth up to 8GB/s
• Real-world read/write speeds up to 3840MB/s (host device dependent)

Other Satechi enclosures may support:

• Only a single size (commonly 2280), or
• Multiple sizes (such as 2230 / 2242 / 2260 / 2280)

Please refer to the product specifications on the individual product page to confirm supported SSD sizes before purchasing or installing a drive.

Are SATA M.2 drives supported?

No. Our NVMe enclosures support M.2 NVMe (PCIe) drives only.

M.2 SATA drives are not compatible.

Are double-sided SSDs or SSDs with heatsinks supported?

No. Our enclosures are not compatible with:

• Double-sided SSDs
• SSDs with pre-installed heatsinks

These drives may not physically fit and may cause thermal or installation issues.

How should I install the SSD for best performance?

For optimal thermal performance and stability:

• Use the included thermal pad
• Install the clear polycarbonate case (if included with your model)
• Ensure the enclosure is fully secured after installation

Proper thermal contact helps reduce overheating and minimizes performance throttling during sustained transfers.

What speeds can I expect?

Actual speeds depend on several factors, including:

• The SSD model used
• Your Mac or PC’s port type (USB-C, USB4, Thunderbolt, etc.)
• The cable being used
• File size and transfer duration

Even when using a PCIe Gen 4 SSD, real-world speeds are limited by the enclosure interface and host device capabilities.

Examples of compatible NVMe drives

Below are examples of tested NVMe drives compatible with our USB4 enclosure:

• Samsung 980 / 990 Pro
• Samsung 970 Evo Plus
• Crucial P3 Plus (2TB) / P2 / P3
• Western Digital Black SN570 / SN770 / SN750
• Western Digital Blue SN550
• PNY CS2140 / CS2230
• SK Hynix Gold P31 / Platinum P41
• Kingston NV1 / NV2 / A2000
• Seagate Barracuda Q5 / 510
• XPG Spectrix S40G
• Sabrent Rocket
• Corsair MP600 Mini (2230) / MP510
• Adata XPG SX8200 Pro

Customers are not limited to the drives listed above. If using a different SSD, please ensure it:

• Is M.2 NVMe (PCIe)
• Matches the supported size(s) of your enclosure
• Does not include a heatsink
• Is single-sided

Satechi is not affiliated with the SSD brands listed above. This compatibility list is provided for educational purposes only. Satechi is not responsible for data loss resulting from improper installation or usage.

Is the Kingston NV3 SSD compatible?

Yes, the Kingston NV3 NVMe SSD is technically compatible with our NVMe SSD enclosures. However, certain performance behaviors may be related to the SSD itself rather than the enclosure.

The Kingston NV3 is a DRAM-less, budget-focused drive and is known to:

• Experience noticeable slowdowns during large or sustained file transfers once its cache is full
• Reduce speeds due to thermal throttling, especially during extended use
• Show performance variation between units

Because of its design, it may not maintain consistent high speeds during heavy workloads such as large backups, video editing, or long data transfers.

What should I do if I’m experiencing slow speeds with a Kingston NV3?

To help isolate the issue, we recommend:

• Confirming you are using a high-speed USB-C cable and a compatible port
• Allowing the drive to cool and retesting
• Testing with another NVMe SSD (if available) to compare performance

If another SSD performs normally in the same enclosure and setup, this would indicate the enclosure is functioning as expected.

If you are unsure whether a specific SSD is compatible, or if performance concerns persist, please contact our support team with:

• Your enclosure model
• The exact SSD model
• Your device model and connection type

Related Articles

• Ports, Power & Setup - Connectivity & Expansion FAQs
• Docking Station Product Pages - Connectivity & Expansion FAQs
• General Use & Maintenance - Connectivity & Expansion FAQs
• Performance & Connectivity Issues - Connectivity & Expansion FAQs
• Display & Video Output - Connectivity & Expansion FAQs