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Mac Mini Accessories |
Review: Macessity Hang With Mi 
Tuesday, October 24, 2006 4:26 AM EST
If you're looking for a functional and sturdy mount for the Mac mini that offers access to your USB ports, look no further than the Macessity Hang With Mi. It's one of the most unique accessories for the Mac mini we have seen introduced this year.
Our Hang With Mi came packaged neatly in plain old brown box from Macessity. Included in the box was the mount itself, power adapter, 9" Type A to mini B USB cable, and four 1/2" screws for mounting. The kit also includes an instruction sheet and template for mounting. Installing the mount is a pretty simple task. The only requirement is that your mounting surface needs to be at least 3/4" thick. You will also need a longer Phillips head screwdriver for reaching up through the mount and screwing in the screws.
The mount itself is constructed from a solid piece of 0.065" steel and measures 6.8" wide x 6.5" deep x 3.4" tall. The thickness of the steel and its unique bends make it very sturdy. The mount also features a raised lip on the back that prevents your Mac mini from sliding out of its back. On the inside walls (sides) of the mount, you'll find two rubber pads that protect the sides of your Mac mini from becoming scratched.
One of the problems with some of the other Mac mini mounts we've reviewed is the ability to access your USB ports after the mount is installed. It can be a pain in the neck feeling around underneath your desk to plug things in. This is where the Hang With Mi shines and separates itself from the crowd. The mount features a built-in front 4-port powered USB 2.0 hub. We tested out the hub with a wide range of devices including an iPod, digital camera, and bus-powered 2.5" SATA external hard drive. They all connected to our Mac mini without a hitch and performed well.
We also appreciated the Hang With Mi's small power supply. If you're using the mount in an entertainment center or have a lot of devices connected to a power strip, the last thing you want is another large power brick. We would also like to applaud Macessity for including a proper length USB cable for connecting the hub to your Mac mini. We always appreciate having less cable clutter.
Our only disappointment with the Hang With Mi was its coloration. It's hard to see in the pictures, but the silver coloring is slightly darker than the Mac mini. That being said, it wasn't enough to lower our score. And while we are on the subject of color, we would love to see Macessity offer the Hang With Mi in black too.
Overall, we can recommend this product to our readers and give it an enthusiastic score of 4 out of 4 stars. The Macessity Hang With Mi is shipping now, and has a suggested retail price of $39.99.
Pros:
 Built-in 4-port USB 2.0 hub
Sturdy steel design
Rear lip prevents Mac mini from sliding out of the mount
Side rubber pads protect Mac mini's finish
Bottom vents allow maximum airflow to the Mac mini
Small power adapter
Cons:
Color match with Mac mini could've been better
More Pictures:  Click to enlarge
 
 
 
 
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