The slim USB-C dock for Apple's 24-inch M1 iMac is an ideal way of making the Macs ports more ... [+] accessible.
If you’re lucky enough to be the proud owner of one of Apple’s most recent iMacs, congratulations. You’re probably happy with the 24-inch display, beautiful slimline looks and Apple M1 processor. However, I guess you may not be quite so pleased with the number of ports on offer or having to fumble around the back of the screen to try and find a USB port to plug in a thumb drive or SD card.
You can banish those annoyances with Satechi’s new USB-C Slim Dock for iMac. Like all Satechi’s accessories for Apple products, the new dock looks as if Apple made it, plus it has the same slim design and aluminum finish as the iMac. Currently, the dock is only available in the Apple’s silver and blue finishes for the new iMac and it has been designed specifically to sit over the computer’s pedestal.
The new dock has a USB-C port at the rear, which connects to one of the iMac’s USB ports with the supplied cable in the box. Next to the link to the host computer, there are two USB-A ports for plugging in things like a keyboard dongle or any other peripheral that you might not change very often.
Flip the Satechi Slim Dock over and you'll find a slot for an M.2 format SSD which is ideal for ... [+] extending the iMac's storage capability.
On the left side of the USB-C Slim Dock for iMac there are slots for SD and microSD memory cards, plus a USB-A port and a USB-C port with transfer speeds up to 10Gbps. However, the best part of this handy dock is hidden on its underside. Flip over the dock and you’ll notice a removable magnetic cover that pulls off to reveal a slot for an M.2 SSD which can be either NVMe or SATA. With an SSD fitted, the dock functions like a removable drive and has high-speed transfer thanks to the 10Gbps link to the iMac’s USB port.
The dock's underside has silicone feet, so it doesn’t slide across the desk. It slips nicely over the iMac’s pedestal and provides a handy surface for storing the iMac’s Apple Magic keyboard when it’s not in use. The dock doesn’t require any drivers and is plug-and-play. What’s not to like?
Verdict: The Satechi USB-C Slim Dock for iMac is a brilliant accessory for Apple’s beautiful M1 iMac. It’s a shame that all colors aren’t available, but I like the silver or blue finishes as they go with almost any color. The USB-A and USB-C port on the side of the dock makes it easy to plug in thumb drives etc. And the fact that the connection is 10Gbps means it’s an ideal way of transferring data from an external drive without fishing around the back of the iMac. However, the best part is the hidden compartment for installing an M.2 SSD. Couple that with the provision of two memory card slots and you have a superbly versatile companion for Apple’s latest iMac. Highly Recommended.
Pricing & Availability: Satechi’s new USB-C Slim Dock for 24-inch iMac is available now in silver and blue colorways from Satechi and Amazon and is priced at $149.99.
When the iMac is not in use, the Satechi Slim Dock makes the perfect storage platform for the Apple ... [+] Magic Keyboard.