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iMac Pro Cool device for my new iMac Pro

B

bxs

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 20, 2007
1,180
553
Seattle, WA
I bought myself a cool device to simplify attaching SD cards, USB and USB-C devices without messing about behind the iMP.

It's a SATECHI USB-C Clamp Hub Pro (a 'Pro' model of course) :)

I can hook up my Samsung T5 in a jiffy and it's a speedy little portable device for sure. I have tons of RAM so the data gets cached in RAM leading to massive read rates typical of reading RAM rather from the slow spinners. ;)

Just can't help but show off this little gem....
 

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I was just browsing this on Amazon. Thanks for the photo!
I'm currently holding off since I'm thinking if it's worth to work against the designed aesthetics of the iMac...
 
I think if Apple would have thought it is a good idea to have USB-Ports on the front side they would have put them there;-)
 
pajako said:
I think if Apple would have thought it is a good idea to have USB-Ports on the front side they would have put them there;-)
Click to expand...
Maybe sometimes apple thought of it in 'the wrong/another' way...
(Meaning: designed aesthetics of the iMac were higher prio to # and accessibility of the USB ports. The user stories & use cases they 'predicted', identified for their end-users are not always the most used/preferred ones.)
 
MeValonicAcid said:
Maybe sometimes apple thought of it in 'the wrong/another' way...
(Meaning: designed aesthetics of the iMac were higher prio to # and accessibility of the USB ports. The user stories & use cases they 'predicted', identified for their end-users are not always the most used/preferred ones.)
Click to expand...
haish.. apple knew better then customer..
 
pajako said:
I think if Apple would have thought it is a good idea to have USB-Ports on the front side they would have put them there;-)
Click to expand...
Its a good idea, but Apple frequenly puts form over function. For a number of owners, its probably not an issue as they don't swap out devices, for many others front facing ports is a big plus
 
JBB4 said:
Can I ask a question? does the device block any of the vents?
Click to expand...

Yes it does partially. It was a concern I had but after testing aggressively with some prime number generators running full tilt across 20 threads in my iMP the temperature reported by the Intel Power Gadget convinced me there was no over-heating issue and that the iMP's cooling design was sufficient in keeping things under control.

With the prime number generator test running for a full hour the temperature never exceeded 93ºC and was steady at this level, Frequency at a steady 3.55 GHz and with the fans running without noise being heard.

I think there are 14 fresh air intake slots on the lower edge of the display and in addition there are two very long slots on the lower backside. One of the small lower edge slots is partial blocked. Thus the blockage is at around 3.5% at best.

BTW.... It's space gray and the only time it's noticeable is when some cable is connected to it.

I will also add that the power supplied to the SATECHI USB-C Clamp Hub Pro from its single USB-C connection to the backside of the iMP provides the ability to add a pair of fully functioning 4TB LaCie Porsche USB3 units which are self powered that simply will not work plugging them into the backside USB3 ports. Not sure what the issue is but suspect the power to the 4x USB3 ports on the backside is less than what the USB-C port is supplying to the SATECHI USB-C Clamp Hub Pro. Thus this hub adds capability for me when needed.
 
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bxs said:
Yes it does partially. It was a concern I had but after testing aggressively with some prime number generators running full tilt across 20 threads in my iMP the temperature reported by the Intel Power Gadget convinced me there was no over-heating issue and that the iMP's cooling design was sufficient in keeping things under control.

With the prime number generator test running for a full hour the temperature never exceeded 93ºC and was steady at this level, Frequency at a steady 3.55 GHz and with the fans running without noise being heard.

I think there are 14 fresh air intake slots on the lower edge of the display and in addition there are two very long slots on the lower backside. One of the small lower edge slots is partial blocked. Thus the blockage is at around 3.5% at best.

BTW.... It's space gray and the only time it's noticeable is when some cable is connected to it.

I will also add that the power supplied to the SATECHI USB-C Clamp Hub Pro from its single USB-C connection to the backside of the iMP provides the ability to add a pair of fully functioning 4TB LaCie Porsche USB3 units which are self powered that simply will not work plugging them into the backside USB3 ports. Not sure what the issue is but suspect the power to the 4x USB3 ports on the backside is less than what the USB-C port is supplying to the SATECHI USB-C Clamp Hub Pro. Thus this hub adds capability for me when needed.
Click to expand...
Thanks bxs, answers my question :)
 
maflynn said:
Its a good idea, but Apple frequenly puts form over function. For a number of owners, its probably not an issue as they don't swap out devices, for many others front facing ports is a big plus
Click to expand...
i need to buy wireless airpod instead using earpod.. Since OSX limitation with the port switching software bug. I think they shouldn't limit 2 usb c and make more for imac like imac pro.. I buy imac instead of macbook pro because i want more connection..
 
bxs said:
Yes it does partially. It was a concern I had but after testing aggressively with some prime number generators running full tilt across 20 threads in my iMP the temperature reported by the Intel Power Gadget convinced me there was no over-heating issue and that the iMP's cooling design was sufficient in keeping things under control.

With the prime number generator test running for a full hour the temperature never exceeded 93ºC and was steady at this level, Frequency at a steady 3.55 GHz and with the fans running without noise being heard.

I think there are 14 fresh air intake slots on the lower edge of the display and in addition there are two very long slots on the lower backside. One of the small lower edge slots is partial blocked. Thus the blockage is at around 3.5% at best.

BTW.... It's space gray and the only time it's noticeable is when some cable is connected to it.

I will also add that the power supplied to the SATECHI USB-C Clamp Hub Pro from its single USB-C connection to the backside of the iMP provides the ability to add a pair of fully functioning 4TB LaCie Porsche USB3 units which are self powered that simply will not work plugging them into the backside USB3 ports. Not sure what the issue is but suspect the power to the 4x USB3 ports on the backside is less than what the USB-C port is supplying to the SATECHI USB-C Clamp Hub Pro. Thus this hub adds capability for me when needed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all this detail, you answered many questions I wanted to ask :)

How close is the color to the real Space Gray on the iMac Pro?

I think this is rather brilliant, as I needed a few more USB-A ports, but prefer not to add a hub. I won't use all 4 of the TB3 ports anytime soon, so sacrificing one to get a card reader and quick access to USB-A, while still keeping all 4 USB-A hubs on the back for DAS is quite nice.
 
bxs said:
I will also add that the power supplied to the SATECHI USB-C Clamp Hub Pro from its single USB-C connection to the backside of the iMP provides the ability to add a pair of fully functioning 4TB LaCie Porsche USB3 units
Click to expand...

Woo - that's actually a big deal: improved power delivery is the only real argument for getting a USB-C hub like this c.f. a regular USB3 hub (which you could always connect to a USB-C port with an adapter). Even some of the other USB-C hubs on Amazon specify that they can't run multiple bus-powered HDs.

Is there any documentation on the power-delivery capabilities of this?
 
theluggage said:
Woo - that's actually a big deal: improved power delivery is the only real argument for getting a USB-C hub like this c.f. a regular USB3 hub (which you could always connect to a USB-C port with an adapter). Even some of the other USB-C hubs on Amazon specify that they can't run multiple bus-powered HDs.

Is there any documentation on the power-delivery capabilities of this?
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1516297037][/doublepost]The documentation is quite skimpy. The pictorial diagrams for showing how to connect the unit to the display's lots are somewhat OK, and I had no issue figuring out how to securely attach it to the lower edge slot(s).

The fact that it draws power from one of the USB-C/TB3 ports means it's getting maybe 100 watts vs. a lot less from the backside USB3 ports. This is, IMO, the explanation for why my 2x 4TB USB3 self powered LaCie Porsche units work on the SATECHI hub whereas they don't when plugged into the iMP's backside USB3 ports. So far I've had no issue having 2x LaCie's connected as well as a Samsung T5 500GB SSD connected tp the hub's front facing USB-C port.

I did call SATECHI tech support help line today for an explanation and they answered quickly, were friendly and confirmed the reasoning I gave above. They were pleased with my report, and of course the Hub comes with a 1 yr warranty if for whatever reason it does not live up to its claims.

Another poster here asked about how well the space gray color of the Hub matches the iMP's space gray. I can say it's not an exact match, but pretty darn close, and is not obviously different in color but does has a slightly different light reflection to it. In fact it appears to be an integral part of the display.

One other thing... there's a very small white LED to left of the front facing USB-C port. It's on constantly and does not flicker when the USB-C is moving any form of data. I think it's just an indicator that the Hub is connected to the iMP's backside TB3/USB-C port. It will only appear to be bright to the eye when looked at straight on. At an angle you can barely see it.
 
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bxs said:
The fact that it draws power from one of the USB-C/TB3 ports means it's getting maybe 100 watts
Click to expand...

...only if it supports the highest level of USB-C power delivery protocol and advertises this to the host, which I wouldn't assume based on the publicity material. That would distinguish it from other USB-C hubs that I've looked at on Amazon that are effectively just USB3-A hubs that connect to a USB-C socket (the equivalent of taking any old USB3-A hub and connecting it via a USB-C adapter).

Its great that it sounds like this is the case, but if so Satechi should have it up in lights on their web page because its a major selling point.

(Its also part of the problem with USB-C - so many USB-C features are options/bolt-ons that knowing what the capabilities of a particular device - or even cable - are is a crapshoot).
 
theluggage said:
...only if it supports the highest level of USB-C power delivery protocol and advertises this to the host, which I wouldn't assume based on the publicity material. That would distinguish it from other USB-C hubs that I've looked at on Amazon that are effectively just USB3-A hubs that connect to a USB-C socket (the equivalent of taking any old USB3-A hub and connecting it via a USB-C adapter).

Its great that it sounds like this is the case, but if so Satechi should have it up in lights on their web page because its a major selling point.

(Its also part of the problem with USB-C - so many USB-C features are options/bolt-ons that knowing what the capabilities of a particular device - or even cable - are is a crapshoot).
Click to expand...

That is all very true and I agree with all you posted. The cable brands/quality/specifications are frankly a nightmare for techies and especially for the average Joe user to understand clearly.
 
pajako said:
I think if Apple would have thought it is a good idea to have USB-Ports on the front side they would have put them there;-)
Click to expand...
If Apple cared about its customers it would have made the pro upgrade able by the customer. So your argument doesn’t wash with me. ‍♂️
 
Have the same hub on my iMP and love it overall. The USB type A ports are a little tight but otherwise a fantastic addition.
 
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