The Minix Neo Storage S2 is a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 dongle with 240GB SATA6 SSD. It also has two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C 3.1 for upstream charging power. It is the perfect accompaniment to a Mac or PC – don’t let the Apple-centric packaging confuse you.
Before you say there are many USB-C dongles, there are very few that combine SSD and can get sequential read/write speeds of 460/420MBps from a SATA 6 (6Gbps/750MBps) over USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 10Gbps (1250MBps) interface.
Review: Minix Neo Storage S2
- Website here
- Price: Approx $189
- Warranty: 3-year ACL (although the warranty sheet says 12-months)
- Colour: Apple space grey
- From: Canohm here
- Country of manufacture: China
- Minix (Est 2008 – website here) is a Hong Kong-based Mac and PC accessory maker. It specialises in Android Media Hubs, Mini PCs, GaN chargers and USB-C cables, adapters and storage.
Specs
- Minix Neo Storage S2 – 240GB M2.2280 SSD and JMicron Controller (also available in 120 and 480GB)
- HDMI 1.4 4K@30Hz
- 2 x USB-A 3.0 ports *
- USB-C upstream port maximum 20V/3A/60W
- USB-C downstream port (connect to Mac or PC, Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 10Gbps)
- 115.0 x 43.5 x 11.0mm x 70g
* USB-A 3.0 devices are not PD (variable voltage/amperage) compatible. When a USB 3.0 device is connected, these ports output a total of 5V/1A if downstream bus-powered and 5V/2A if upstream powered. The Dongle will limit output power to 5V/900mA or charge at 5V/500mA.
Tests
We copied 40GB to the drive – it took under 3 minutes or about 220MBps per second. After it organised the data transfer, it sat rock solid on 270MBps, showing that the SSD has a high-speed memory cache. Other test included 4K@30Hz, USB-A 3.0 voltage 5V/1A, and upstream power to 60W (all pass).
We tested with
- HP 2020 Spectre Thunderbolt 3 – PASS
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7 USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 – PASS
- Microsoft Surface Go USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 – PASS
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 – PASS (this means its supports screen mirroring on any smartphone that has UBB-C Alt DP support (not iPad)
GadgetGuy’s take
Minix Neo Storage S2 is a perfect example of convergence. It is a brand you may not know, but it is worth looking for. Performance is top rate and build quality is excellent. Now Aussie company Canohm is distributing them expect to see more Minix products. We will rate it as a relatively unique SSD and a multiport hub with a 60W power passthrough.
