Satechi recently released its latest Mac accessory aimed at fixing the most inconvenient features of Apple's latest M1 iMac. The new Satechi iMac Slim Dock features a desktop stand-mountable aluminum chassis, front panel ports, M.2 NVMe enclosure, and more. But is it worth the premium? Our latest "Tested with 9to5Toys" review takes a closer look at what to expect.
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Satechi iMac Slim Dock: Hands-On Review
Satechi's latest addition to its line of Apple accessories is for a single device. Centered on the latest M1 iMac, the Satechi iMac Slim Dock complements the sleek desktop design with its own streamlined design, adding some extra ports to Apple's latest on-screen desktop base.
The aluminum chassis contains six ports, including USB-C/A 10Gb/s input, SD card reader, and more. The Satechi iMac Slim Dock has the features of a few other desktop accessories and also comes with an M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure, completing the $149.99 package. But is it worth the high price compared to Thunderbolt-based alternatives? Let's take a closer look.
The following is a detailed introduction to the specification:
Designed for the 2021 iMac 24-inch model to add additional storage and expand USB ports for fast data transfers and access to peripherals Tool-less NVMe SATA NGFF enclosure lets you install an M.2 NMVe SSD or M.2 NMVe SSD or M.2 quickly and easily .2 SATA SSDs are available in silver and blue. Featuring a sleek aluminum chassis, the Slim Dock is the perfect complement to your 2021 iMac.
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Satechi kindly sent me a new iMac Slim Docks for review after it was released late last month. I'm one of many writers at 9to5 who rides the iMac M1 every day, so I'm excited to see how the latest accessories expand what is already a full desktop.
The Satechi iMac Slim Dock stands out from the box with its top-notch design, like many of the brand's other accessories. The entire unit consists of an aluminum body painted in one of two colors. I used a blue style to go with the iMac counterpart, but there's also a silver colorway that should work better with some of the other colors in Apple's stable.
Aside from the impeccable build quality, the best part of the new version has to be the form factor itself. Many other brands have made iMac docking stations in the past, and almost all of them have a design that sticks to the bottom of the screen. Satechi, on the other hand, is not the same as a docking station that sits on a car mount.
Lots of ports are built into this design, but nothing can compete with a full Thunderbolt 4 hub. So if you're on the I/O list not seeing it as a replacement for a more powerful all-around accessory, but just as a way to get around the inconvenience of those rear ports, it's a worthwhile choice.
There are six slots for expanding your M1 device. The Satechi iMac Slim Dock has a pair of USB 2.0 ports on the back, perfect for a mouse or keyboard keys and more. First, it's a 10 Gb/s USB-C slot, which connects to a USB-A analog with the same specs. The kit is then complemented by two SD and microSD card readers.
However, here's the final piece of the puzzle that makes the Satechi iMac Slim Dock so appealing. After removing the magnetic panel on the left, you'll find a place to put your NVME drive. Satechi seems to have learned from its previous criticism of only supporting SATA drives, as the company has unlocked the full 10Gb/s speeds needed to use M.2 SSDs this time around. It's a great feature that hides extra storage from the rest of the sleek build.
All of these accolades show that the Satechi iMac Slim Dock is one of the most expensive options on the market, at $149.99. However, it's as comprehensive as third-party accessories and well worth the entry fee in my book. Satechi is known for making accessories that work perfectly with Apple, and that sentiment has never been more real with the iMac Slim Dock.
It easily complements the Twelve South backpack as it combines must-have functionality with a sleek look, and I previously considered it one of the must-have accessories for any M1 iMac user.
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