I'm considering upgrading from my late 2014 Mac Mini to a refurbished late 2018 Mac Mini. My main concern is with the change in ports. My current mac Mini has 4 USB(A) ports but the later model will have only 2 such ports together with 4 Thunderbolt/USB(C) ports. I have more than 2 peripherals that use USB(A) plugs and don't want to have to buy more hardware if I can avoid it. Is it as simple as using adapters to plug an USB(A) plug into a USB(C) port and, if so, can you point to the type of adapter to use? Many thanks.
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Upgrading Mac Mini and USB Ports
- Thread starter mikethebook
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These are GREAT! I use them. The little dot you see near the "C" side will illuminate when plugged in. Highly recommended!
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Base may be covered with good answers above and I see you don't want to buy a hub but I'll throw out one more option: monitor stand with some USB ports (which is a different spin on the traditional hub). New Mac mini connects to a port on the stand, multiple jacks on the stand then become added USB ports you seek. Some stands can add a LOT of jacks. Do a search on Amazon for monitors stand with USB or monitor riser with USB.
I have an ancient, very low profile stand (just high enough to put the keyboard under it) that gives me 4 more USB 2 ports AND a dedicated monitor stand + hub off the side used as a riser/shelf for other things (not a monitor)... mostly to give me some very easy access to fundamental ports. I also chose a Dell 5K monitor with a substantial hub built into it (so if you need a new monitor at some point, don't be overly locked in on only the 2 "walled garden" offerings. There's PLENTY of fish in that sea).
And also note that if you need more storage, there are hubs with built-in storage, including some especially for Mac Mini (one example and another example of many). So that's like buying a deluxe storage enclosure that happens to come with some expansion ports. Instead of seeing them as a hub with storage, maybe see them as storage with bonus ports?
I have an ancient, very low profile stand (just high enough to put the keyboard under it) that gives me 4 more USB 2 ports AND a dedicated monitor stand + hub off the side used as a riser/shelf for other things (not a monitor)... mostly to give me some very easy access to fundamental ports. I also chose a Dell 5K monitor with a substantial hub built into it (so if you need a new monitor at some point, don't be overly locked in on only the 2 "walled garden" offerings. There's PLENTY of fish in that sea).
And also note that if you need more storage, there are hubs with built-in storage, including some especially for Mac Mini (one example and another example of many). So that's like buying a deluxe storage enclosure that happens to come with some expansion ports. Instead of seeing them as a hub with storage, maybe see them as storage with bonus ports?
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Thanks, Guys. That looks good. So by using the adapters I can get the equivament of 6 USB(A) sockets on the 2018 Mac Mini's.
P.S. I only caught the last posting later. Thanks for those thoughts but the solutions are much more expensive than I care for.
P.S. I only caught the last posting later. Thanks for those thoughts but the solutions are much more expensive than I care for.
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I've got these - no blue light but they do the job:
Syntech USB C to USB Adapter(2 Pack), USB-C Male to USB 3.0 Female Adapter Compatible with MacBook Pro after 2016, MacBook Air after 2018, Dell XPS and More Type C or Thunderbolt 3 Devices, Space Grey
USB C to USB Adapter(2 Pack), Syntech USB-C Male to USB 3.0 Female Adapter
www.amazon.co.uk
OP wrote:
"My current mac Mini has 4 USB(A) ports but the later model will have only 2 such ports together with 4 Thunderbolt/USB(C) ports."
No.
Don't think of it that way.
I have a 2018 Mini myself.
There are (for all practical purposes) SIX USB ports on the back of the 2018 Mini.
Two of them are USBa ports that support USB3.
FOUR MORE of them are USBc ports that support USB3.1 gen2.
(yes, they are ALSO "thunderbolt" ports, but the ports "change functionality" depending on what's plugged into them).
There's a problem with using USBa-to-USBc adapters such as those jdblas posted above.
If they're "too large", they'll "block access" to the adjacent USBc ports.
Some may work ok, others may not.
BETTER OPTION:
Get a few of these:
The USBc end WON'T block adjacent ports, and the short cable makes them "flexible".
"My current mac Mini has 4 USB(A) ports but the later model will have only 2 such ports together with 4 Thunderbolt/USB(C) ports."
No.
Don't think of it that way.
I have a 2018 Mini myself.
There are (for all practical purposes) SIX USB ports on the back of the 2018 Mini.
Two of them are USBa ports that support USB3.
FOUR MORE of them are USBc ports that support USB3.1 gen2.
(yes, they are ALSO "thunderbolt" ports, but the ports "change functionality" depending on what's plugged into them).
There's a problem with using USBa-to-USBc adapters such as those jdblas posted above.
If they're "too large", they'll "block access" to the adjacent USBc ports.
Some may work ok, others may not.
BETTER OPTION:
Get a few of these:
Cable Matters USB C to USB Adapter 6 Inches (USB to USB C Adapter, USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter, USB C OTG) in Black
Cable Matters USB C to USB Adapter 6 Inches (USB to USB C Adapter, USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter, USB C OTG) in Black
www.amazon.com
Personally, I avoid using adapters where possible as it’s another point of failure. If you have a USB device with a non-detachable cable of course you don’t really have a choice (or just use those on the two included USB-C ports). But if the cable is detachable from the device, replace the cable with one for USB-C.
There are a few common “other ends” so you’ll need to know what the cable is using when you replace it. Common ones are USB-B (both 2.0 and 3.0), Micro USB (both 2.0 and 3.0), possibly Mini-USB if it’s an older device, and of course USB-C.
There are a few common “other ends” so you’ll need to know what the cable is using when you replace it. Common ones are USB-B (both 2.0 and 3.0), Micro USB (both 2.0 and 3.0), possibly Mini-USB if it’s an older device, and of course USB-C.