Electrical Smell coming from new M4 Mac Mini

[groovatious]

So I just plugged in my new M4 Mac Mini and upon powering up immediately noticed a strange electrical smell coming from it. It seems to function fine but there’s definitely a slightly odd electrical smell coming from (upon further investigation w my snifter) the fan grill on the bottom.

Has anyone else experienced this? Not sure if it’s because it’s new (some kind of off-gassing or oil etc) or if something is possibly fried. Thanks!

 

[russell_314]

So I just plugged in my new M4 Mac Mini and upon powering up immediately noticed a strange electrical smell coming from it. It seems to function fine but there’s definitely a slightly odd electrical smell coming from (upon further investigation w my snifter) the fan grill on the bottom.

Has anyone else experienced this? Not sure if it’s because it’s new (some kind of off-gassing or oil etc) or if something is possibly fried. Thanks!

If it smells enough where you notice while using it then take it back. There should be no noticeable burning or electrical smells coming out of a Mac.

 

[groovatious]

I wouldn’t say it’s overpowering, but it’s noticeable with the unit next to me on the desk. I live regional so it’s not a simple (or quick) process to swap. That being said it seems to be functioning perfectly fine - just checking if anyone else has experienced this - or can smell any kind of electrical smell around the air intake/exhaust fan.

 

[Fishrrman]

Is the case overly warm?
If you feel the air coming out, is it overly warm?

If not, use it a few more days before returning it.
Perhaps what you're sensing is the computer equivalent of "new car smell" ...

 

[Boyd01]

I got a base m4 Mini about a month ago. Haven't noticed any smell at all. It's in a closed cabinet as a media server, but was on my desk during setup. It runs really cool, doesn't feel any warmer than ambient room temperature. But it doesn't have to work very hard as a server. Compare that to my 2018 Mini which is almost hot enough to brew a cup of tea (but I push it very hard). I have a 2012 quad Mini as a file server, so it's also idle most of the time but still warm to the touch.

 

[blufrog]

Are you sure it isn't just the "new hot electrical" smell some computers have?

I'm always as careful as I can be for the first several hours when commissioning a new system. I'm now running 3D apps that get it warm, first for a couple of minutes, let it cool; now I'm about to let the 3D app run for 30 minutes.

I do this because it can change the thermal paste during the initial hot-run period (unless Apple do some kind of burn-in at the factory - I don't know).

I do this with all my PCs and they run for decades afterwards without issues, so it seems to work.