> this m.2 to SATA port replicator reportedly works perfectly with Linux That's a port multiplier and if that works or not depends more on the SATA controller

> this m.2 to SATA port replicator reportedly works perfectly with Linux That's a port multiplier and if that works or not depends more on the SATA controller and less on the operating system. Far from all SATA controllers support port multipliers. And even less support fast port multipliers (FIS), which is not much of an issue if your main target is size.