Add a battery to Mini

[HowardEv]

That’s a really good idea. Then Apple can charge an arm and a leg to replace the battery when it dies.

Thanks. I think it would be about $10 for the smallest option that provides an hour of UPS to allow unplugging briefly, $50 for a battery that lasts 8 hours, and $150 for a 24 hour battery.

Because remember, the battery wouldn’t also power a laptop screen, so the battery could be smaller, charge faster, stay cooler, and be cheaper to get same same battery life in a MacBook Pro. (The screen could have its own battery, or be a MacBook Air connected wirelessly, to take advantage of the battery in the Mini, or the screen could plug in to wall (or your old UPS until it’s giant batteries need replacing, when you’ll no doubt throw it out instead because you don’t need it anymore).

And if your screen is plugged into the wall, then it could charge the mini over the thunderbolt cable. So just one plug into the wall, and one thin white USB C cable between display and Mini. Golden. (I think cables are still necessary for lag-free video, and wires will always be better than wireless for highest quality and environmentally friendly (Are 100 Billion wireless antenna cooking the planet? Hurting animals? Yikes.)

 

[kc9hzn]

The Mini used to be a desktop computer back when it used Intel desktop chips. Now it uses laptop chips, the same specs as a MacBook. The Mac Studio is still a desktop computer, because it uses two M chips fused together so still needs line level power (and why it isn’t available in a MacBook). Apple seems to know many of their customers have a requirement for thick line level power cords, even if they don’t need the horsepower of the Studio they want the power cords and hot tower on their desktop to look at and feel the heat emanating from it, and won’t feel as professional using a low power laptop chip. It’s a real feeling, laptops are associated with amateurs and rinky dink productions, so pro recording studios want their customers to feel they are getting something they can’t get at home.)

That’s where you’re wrong, full stop. The Mac mini never did use desktop Intel chips. It has always internally used an adapted laptop chassis, which is part of what keeps the price down (just adapt the work that Apple already does on the much more popular entry level MacBooks for a cheap, small form factor desktop). Laptop heat management and laptop components, basically it’s an entry level MacBook internally without the display or battery and always has been, at least since the Intel transition (possibly even back to the G4 Mac mini).

 

[TechnoMonk]

That’s where you’re wrong, full stop. The Mac mini never did use desktop Intel chips. It has always internally used an adapted laptop chassis, which is part of what keeps the price down (just adapt the work that Apple already does on the much more popular entry level MacBooks for a cheap, small form factor desktop). Laptop heat management and laptop components, basically it’s an entry level MacBook internally without the display or battery and always has been, at least since the Intel transition (possibly even back to the G4 Mac mini).

Right. Mini was entry level headless MacBook in a small form factor. Even Mac mini server back in the day didn’t really have intels fastest desktop processors.

 

[HowardEv]

That’s where you’re wrong, full stop. The Mac mini never did use desktop Intel chips. It has always internally used an adapted laptop chassis, which is part of what keeps the price down (just adapt the work that Apple already does on the much more popular entry level MacBooks for a cheap, small form factor desktop). Laptop heat management and laptop components, basically it’s an entry level MacBook internally without the display or battery and always has been, at least since the Intel transition (possibly even back to the G4 Mac mini).

Hmm well, yes they used laptop components to shrink it down, but didn’t it use the desktop versions of the chips? At least at first? How long have they been using the laptop power chips in the Mini? I was under the strong impression they were equivalent power of a iMac, just “Bring your own screen and keyboard”. If they were just laptop chips without a screen and battery, they wouldn’t ever have been called desktop class machines, a cheap way to get an iMac. They wouldn’t have been success with studios because back then laptop chips were not able to keep up running large sessions, you needed at least a iMac or Mini for the wattage and clock speed offered by desktop rails. Apple showed a slide when they released M1 how there used to be desktop and mobile versions of chips, from Motorola to Power PC to Intel Core, and now there isn’t. Some people hope for a high power desktop version of AS chips but it’s unlikely because chips are faster at low power now.

But even if what you say is true, that the Mini has never needed to plug in, it certainly doesn’t need to plug in now.

 

[kc9hzn]

Hmm well, yes they used laptop components to shrink it down, but didn’t it use the desktop versions of the chips? At least at first? How long have they been using the laptop power chips in the Mini? I was under the strong impression they were equivalent power of a iMac, just “Bring your own screen and keyboard”. If they were just laptop chips without a screen and battery, they wouldn’t ever have been called desktop class machines, a cheap way to get an iMac. They wouldn’t have been success with studios because back then laptop chips were not able to keep up running large sessions, you needed at least a iMac or Mini for the wattage and clock speed offered by desktop rails. Apple showed a slide when they released M1 how there used to be desktop and mobile versions of chips, from Motorola to Power PC to Intel Core, and now there isn’t. Some people hope for a high power desktop version of AS chips but it’s unlikely because chips are faster at low power now.

But even if what you say is true, that the Mini has never needed to plug in, it certainly doesn’t need to plug in now.

Actually, as far as I know, the iMac had been using “laptop” chips throughout the Intel era, too. The only Intel iMac to use a proper “desktop” chip was the iMac Pro. In this case, “laptop” is as much about heat management as it was about power consumption. (Which is probably part of the reason the iMac Pro never got any major upgrades. On launch, I was worried that it was the trash can Mac Pro all over again, in terms of thermal constraints, and that does appear to have been so.)

 

[audiophilosophy]

I absolutely do not want a rechargeable battery in my Mac. A separate uninterrupted power supply is fine for my needs. I don’t want to deal with the hassle of a battery going bad on me and having the computer considered “obsolete” by Apple and not be able to get them to replace the battery for me. This is one of the main reasons why I switched 11 years ago from MacBook to Mac mini for my computer.

 

[HowardEv]

The Mini is a desktop computer.
It isn't a laptop or portable.

Fishrrman, did you know this when you wrote that?

Actually, as far as I know, the iMac [sic- I think he meant Mini?] had been using “laptop” chips throughout the Intel era, too. The only Intel iMac to use a proper “desktop” chip was the iMac Pro.

 

[Chuckeee]

While I believe a Mac mini with a battery is a totally misguided concept with no merit, I do think that modifications to the existing mini power supply does make sense, specifically changing it from AC line voltage to USB-C. USB-C could easily accommodate existing Mac mini power requirements, and could aid in reducing wiring when using a Mac mini with an appropriate display.

 

[HowardEv]

I absolutely do not want a rechargeable battery in my Mac. A separate uninterrupted power supply is fine for my needs. I don’t want to deal with the hassle of a battery going bad on me and having the computer considered “obsolete” by Apple and not be able to get them to replace the battery for me. This is one of the main reasons why I switched 11 years ago from MacBook to Mac mini for my computer.

You could just not replace it when it goes bad, like I did with my old white MacBook that I had to keep plugged in. I had to put tape on the MagSafe so it couldn’t get disconnected.

Or I suppose Apple could offer it with no battery as an option for people that hate batteries, as well as the different size options for $10 for an hour, $50 for 8 hours, and $150 dollars for going days between charges.

 

[Nicole1980]

This thread could’ve been interesting but that poll, my god

Exactly. It's so friggin' biased questioning. And yet, even with that ... most are giving him the answer he doesn't want.

We're not fooled Howard. Go ahead and enjoy your thought experiment. Pretty much no one else is playing along.

 

[HowardEv]

I didn’t know the poll would show up on top of my argument. I wrote the questions after writing my persuasive argument.

 

[phrehdd]

Not sure why making a Mini portable brings such interest. However, if one were to make a "lunchbox" that contained the battery and within also the Mini and an iPad, and perhaps keyboard/mouse/trackpad. The iPad could serve as the screen. Then again, lot easier just to have a laptop. If one is hooking up the Mini to a tv monitor etc, just plug the darn thing into a good clean power source.

 

[hobowankenobi]

What the OP wants is a reimaging of the IIc. It's only been 40 years...it's time for: IIc Retro Pro Max.

They could add a handle too, to be a proper "luggable". Some would like sleek aluminum and black, but I think they would go with OG warm white/yellow color of old:

 

[audiophilosophy]

You could just not replace it when it goes bad, like I did with my old white MacBook that I had to keep plugged in. I had to put tape on the MagSafe so it couldn’t get disconnected.

Or I suppose Apple could offer it with no battery as an option for people that hate batteries, as well as the different size options for $10 for an hour, $50 for 8 hours, and $150 dollars for going days between charges.

My wife and I did that many years ago with our MacBooks. The batteries didn’t like being plugged in all the time and expanded and eventually damaged the MacBooks. Never again. I’m doing Mac desktops from now on.

 

[macsound1]

I could see it being practical to power it over USB C from a display the same way the laptops work

Now THIS is an interesting idea.
If you do have your MacMini connected to a display that can provide enough power for a 16" Intel MBP.
But I do see the issue if you connect it to an adapter that provides less than enough power because it doesn't have the integrated battery to lean on to makeup the amperage difference like laptops do.

 

[sublunar]

Sounds like you're wanting a Mac Nano, powered by A18 CPU with ultra low power draw which a high capacity USB-C power bank might be able to run...

Kinda like a Raspberry Pi competitor?

 

[boss.king]

Now THIS is an interesting idea.
If you do have your MacMini connected to a display that can provide enough power for a 16" Intel MBP.
But I do see the issue if you connect it to an adapter that provides less than enough power because it doesn't have the integrated battery to lean on to makeup the amperage difference like laptops do.

Yeah, I suspect that's why they don't do it. It's totally possible, but probably not worth all the tech support headaches that come with having to explain to people why their monitors aren't good enough to power their computer.

 

[HowardEv]

Not sure why making a Mini portable brings such interest.

It would be a breakthrough of incredible proportions, ushering in a renaissance of productivity and creativity. No more compromises: for the same price as the MacBook Pro, get the same chip, unthrottled, more ports, and also get a nice display, and still have enough left over for a MacBook Air. No more problems from putting the powerful CPU in a laptop, with heat and noise on your lap in front your face, hunched in front of the too small screen, which is connected to several cables so it can’t be moved. All things of the past.

 

[phrehdd]

It would be a breakthrough of incredible proportions, ushering in a renaissance of productivity and creativity. No more compromises: for the same price as the MacBook Pro, get the same chip, unthrottled, more ports, and a nice display, and have enough left over for a cheap Air. No more problems from putting them together, the powerful CPU in a laptop, with heat and noise on your lap in front your face, too small screen, connected to several cables so it can’t be moved. All things of the past.

Screen. What do you suggest for a screen? You can buy battery packs that have standard wall plugs. Give that a try...

 

[HowardEv]

Sounds like you're wanting a Mac Nano, powered by A18 CPU with ultra low power draw which a high capacity USB-C power bank might be able to run...

Kinda like a Raspberry Pi competitor?

There should be a range of processors, just like in current MacBooks. I want the M3 Pro with lots of RAM etc, that’s in the MacBook Pro, to run Logic with no errors. It should certainly run off of USB C power, just like the MacBook Pro does.

Yeah, about the size of a Raspberry Pi, but with a battery.

 

[HowardEv]

Screen. What do you suggest for a screen? You can buy battery packs that have standard wall plugs. Give that a try...

I hope Apple makes a range of screens to choose from. I don’t do graphics so I don’t need the $2,000 perfect screen, but I’m thinking Apple could sell a good 27” screen for under $1000. It’d plug into the wall, and charge the Mini. They could also make smaller 16” screens that had a battery. Or, you could use a TV, or an Air or iPad as a screen.

 

[HowardEv]

What the OP wants is a reimaging of the IIc. It's only been 40 years...it's time for: IIc Retro Pro Max.

They could add a handle too, to be a proper "luggable". Some would like sleek aluminum and black, but I think they would go with OG warm white/yellow color of old:



View attachment 2389776

I do like the color, but dude the IIc didn’t have a battery! Grrr.

 

[mazz0]

I have genuinely thought it would be useful to have a small battery in my Mac Mini so I could move it to another room without restarting. I suspect our use-case is quite niche though.

What I think would be a bigger win would be making it powered over USB C. A single cable for display, USB (to the hub in the monitor) and power would be nice, and it would make the Mac Mini itself smaller.

 

[DaveEcc]

Would making it accept power via USB-C or the regular outlet, and switch without issue solve everything?

• If you need to disconnect the USB, just plug it in.
• If you need to unplug it, connect the USB.
• You can connect to a power-bank with enough wattage when you want to move it.
• You can connect it to a Jackery or similar device to power it longer-term. The low-end ones seem to be USB only, so this would allow you to use the cheapest one available if the Mini truly is all you want to power.
• You can use an external USB-C wall-wart if you just want to move the heat of the power conversion outside of the mini itself, or
• Use a monitor that support charging laptops to power the mini, reducing the cabling requirements.
  • You can power that monitor w/ a UPS if you want both battery power and reduced cabling.

This seems a far more reasonable request than adding batteries to the mini itself. Sure, we're still ignoring all the advanced charging circuitry in the M chips, but this seems far more generic and far more useful to far more people.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

The funniest part about this is you thinking they would only charge an extra $10 for the one hour option. Keep the hits coming!