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Maybe Apple should build SSD storage thingies that are exactly the same size as the mini so they can be stacked. They're already stacking them for demos and it

Maybe Apple should build SSD storage thingies that are exactly the same size as the mini so they can be stacked. They're already stacking them for demos and it would definitely look cool. Especially if you get Thunderbolt cables that exactly match 1-4 mini heights (since it got 4 Thunderbolt ports) + daisy chaining.

robin_reala 8y ago
That’s been a thing from a lot of companies for past Minis (e.g. https://www.newertech.com/products/ministack_classic.php https://www.newertech.com/products/ministack_classic.php ); I see no reason why it won’t happen again.
bnycum 8y ago
Other World Computing (OWC) actually sells a device called a miniStack which is essentially that. An external enclosure the same form factor and design as the (last-generation) Mini. It's still uses an older USB 3 connection though, no daisy-chaining.
lebrad 8y ago
Contemporary SSD storage only takes up as much space as a pack of gum, just like sticks of RAM. Even SSDs with terabytes of capacity! Any desktop computer, even a small one, has all the physical space needed to have upgradeable storage.
- derefr 8y ago
  Yes, you could fit one m.2 SSD slot into a Mac Mini. But anyone who has a serious professional need for large storage (e.g. video editors), probably doesn't just want 2x-4x the internal storage, with the same bus-factor-of-1 fault-tolerance. No, they probably need either a Thunderbolt RAID array (that they can put into RAID5/6/10), or a SAN. And neither of those fit in a Mac Mini. (Though, a Thunderbolt RAID array of m.2 SSDs might fit in a Mac Mini-sized enclosure. Does anyone sell that?)
rswail 8y ago
Something that allows maybe 4 or more M.2 SSDs and 2 x TB3 controllers...
xienze 8y ago
Those already exist but it's kind of missing the point. An NVMe SSD is the size of a stick of gum, I'd much rather plug one of those in than have to stack a box the size of the Mini on top of my Mini and connect it with TB3. In the end you've got something more expensive, probably slower, and less portable than the obvious solution.
- bluedino 8y ago
  You could put a 3.5” drive in a Mac Mini sized box. And with Tunderbolt you could have it double as a hub or dock

robin_reala 8y ago

That’s been a thing from a lot of companies for past Minis (e.g. https://www.newertech.com/products/ministack_classic.php https://www.newertech.com/products/ministack_classic.php ); I see no reason why it won’t happen again.

bnycum 8y ago

Other World Computing (OWC) actually sells a device called a miniStack which is essentially that. An external enclosure the same form factor and design as the (last-generation) Mini. It's still uses an older USB 3 connection though, no daisy-chaining.

lebrad 8y ago

Contemporary SSD storage only takes up as much space as a pack of gum, just like sticks of RAM. Even SSDs with terabytes of capacity! Any desktop computer, even a small one, has all the physical space needed to have upgradeable storage.

derefr 8y ago
Yes, you could fit one m.2 SSD slot into a Mac Mini. But anyone who has a serious professional need for large storage (e.g. video editors), probably doesn't just want 2x-4x the internal storage, with the same bus-factor-of-1 fault-tolerance. No, they probably need either a Thunderbolt RAID array (that they can put into RAID5/6/10), or a SAN. And neither of those fit in a Mac Mini. (Though, a Thunderbolt RAID array of m.2 SSDs might fit in a Mac Mini-sized enclosure. Does anyone sell that?)

rswail 8y ago

Something that allows maybe 4 or more M.2 SSDs and 2 x TB3 controllers...

xienze 8y ago

Those already exist but it's kind of missing the point. An NVMe SSD is the size of a stick of gum, I'd much rather plug one of those in than have to stack a box the size of the Mini on top of my Mini and connect it with TB3. In the end you've got something more expensive, probably slower, and less portable than the obvious solution.

bluedino 8y ago
You could put a 3.5” drive in a Mac Mini sized box. And with Tunderbolt you could have it double as a hub or dock