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This User Manual covers setup, features, compatibility, and specifications for the Satechi Stand & Hub For Mac Mini / Studio With NVMe SSD Enclosure (ST-GMMSHS).

What's In The Box

Stand Hub for Mac Mini/Studio with NVMe SSD Enclosure, Screw/Screwdriver for Enclosure, User Manual.

Functions

1. USB-C Connector
2. SD & Micro SD Card Slots (UHS-I)
3. Audio Jack (Input/Output)
4. 2X USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Ports (5 Gbps)
5. USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gbps)
6. USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gbps)
7. LED Indicator
8. M.2 NVMe & SATA SSD Enclosure

Product Overview

This stand lifts your Mac Mini or Mac Studio and brings its connections around to the front of your desk: a 10 Gbps USB-C port, three USB-A ports, SD and Micro SD card readers and a 3.5mm audio jack. Underneath is a built-in M.2 enclosure, so one USB-C cable adds both the ports and an extra internal-feeling drive. The Mac and the SSD are sold separately.

Setup

The Stand & Hub is plug-and-play, no drivers or software required. If you plan to use the enclosure, install the SSD before you set the Mac on top.

1. Connect to your Mac Mini / Mac Studio: Place the stand on a flat surface, set your Mac Mini or Mac Studio on top, then plug the stand's built-in USB-C cable into a port on the back of the Mac.

2. Connect your devices: Connect your devices to the stand's front-facing ports.

Note: If the SSD is new and does not show up, it probably needs formatting first. Open Disk Utility, select the installed SSD, click Erase, choose APFS for macOS or ExFAT for cross-platform use, then erase the drive.

Installing the SSD

1. Flip the stand over and remove the SSD enclosure cover on the bottom.
2. Insert the SSD at a slight angle, about 30 degrees, label side up, then press it flat until it clicks into place.
3. Use the included screwdriver and screw to secure the SSD. Do not overtighten, or you can strip the screw.
4. Put the enclosure cover back on and flip the stand back over.

Ports and Features

Parts labeled diagram of the Stand & Hub For Mac Mini / Studio With NVMe SSD Enclosure with 8 labeled components.

1. USB-C Connector: The built-in USB-C cable that plugs into a port on the back of your Mac Mini or Mac Studio and carries data for every port and for the SSD enclosure.
2. SD & Micro SD Card Slots (UHS-I): SD and Micro SD card readers at UHS-I speeds. Both cards can be read and written at the same time. Insert a standard SD card upside down.
3. Audio Jack (Input/Output): 3.5mm jack for headphones or a microphone. After plugging in, set the output under System Settings > Sound > Output > USB PnP Audio Device.
4. 2X USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Ports (5 Gbps): Two USB-A data ports, up to 5 Gbps each. They do not support charging or CD readers, including the Apple SuperDrive.
5. USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gbps): The right-hand USB-A port, up to 10 Gbps. It does not support charging or CD readers, including the Apple SuperDrive.
6. USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gbps): USB-C data port, up to 10 Gbps. It does not support charging or CD readers, including the Apple SuperDrive.
7. LED Indicator: Small status light on the front edge of the stand, to the right of the USB-C port.
8. M.2 NVMe & SATA SSD Enclosure: Built-in M.2 bay on the underside of the stand. It takes M.2 NVMe and M.2 SATA drives in 2242, 2260 and 2280 lengths, runs at up to 10 Gbps over USB 3.2 Gen 2, and has been tested up to 4TB. Drives with heat sinks do not fit, and the SSD is sold separately.

Features

- Adds an M.2 SSD to your Mac Mini or Mac Studio over the same single USB-C cable
- Brings the ports to the front edge of the desk, so nothing has to be reached around the back
- SD and Micro SD cards can be read and written at the same time
- Takes M.2 NVMe and M.2 SATA drives in 2242, 2260 and 2280 lengths
- One 10 Gbps USB-C port, one 10 Gbps USB-A port and two 5 Gbps USB-A ports

Important Limitations

The USB ports are not designed for charging, only for device syncing, data transfer and USB peripherals. They also will not run CD readers, including the Apple SuperDrive.

Upon initial installation, please ensure your SSD is properly formatted to your host device OS. A brand new drive usually will not appear until it is formatted. Open Disk Utility, select the drive, click Erase, then pick APFS for macOS or ExFAT for cross-platform use.

iPad will only sync via USB-A due to its power wattage requirement for syncing. Connect an iPad to one of the USB-A ports, not the USB-C port.

When connecting headphones to the audio port, adjust the sound output under System Settings > Sound > Output > USB PnP Audio Device. The stand appears in that list as USB PnP Audio Device.

For the best network experience while using the Stand & Hub, connect to a 5GHz frequency when using Wi-Fi. Satechi recommends 5GHz over 2.4GHz while the stand is in use.

Connect one bus-powered device at a time. The stand draws its power from your Mac, so several bus-powered devices at once can exceed what it can supply.

SSDs with heat sinks are not compatible. Use a bare M.2 drive.

The 2024 Mac mini (M4) does not fit this stand. Its redesigned, smaller body has different dimensions. Supported models are the Mac mini M1 (2020) and M2 / M2 Pro (2023), and the Mac Studio M1 Max/Ultra (2022), M2 Max/Ultra (2023) and M4 Max/Ultra (2025).

Mac mini models from 2018 and earlier are not supported. Their dimensions are different from the M1 and later bodies.

The SSD is not included. The enclosure ships empty, so you supply the M.2 drive.

Specifications

Model: ST-GMMSHS
Connector: USB-C
SSD Enclosure: M.2 NVMe and M.2 SATA, 2242 / 2260 / 2280, tested up to 4TB
Ports & Speeds:
1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2: up to 10 Gbps, data only
1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2: up to 10 Gbps, data only
2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1: up to 5 Gbps each, data only
1x SD and 1x Micro SD card slot: UHS-I speeds, both usable at once
1x 3.5mm audio jack: input and output
1x M.2 SSD enclosure: up to 10 Gbps over USB 3.2 Gen 2

Certifications

FCC, CE, WEEE, CAN ICES-003 (B) / NMB-003 (B) (Canada)