I actually like the button there compared to the back , but I never power the unit off anyhow
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It's official. You have to lift up the mini to turn it on
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How about putting the connection to power cord on the top? Shouldn't be a problem either. How often do you unplug it?
This is way worse situation I think 
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...with-apple-stickers-in-the-box.2425795/page-9
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...with-apple-stickers-in-the-box.2425795/page-9
Exactly. It's not the end of the world but Apple prides itself on creating well designed products. Whether or not you turn your machine off everyday or not is beside the point. Having to lift up the computer to access the power switch is just atrocious design. Period.
Seriously, you and 30+ others consider it "a disaster" to turn on a 1.5 pound computer via a switch on the bottom? IMO that is absurd.
A) Most folks sleep their Macs.
B) Those who do shut down should use the OS shutdown.
C) Many of those who hard shut down for their own strange reasons will be restarting via keyboard.
D) Those who hard shut down and for their own reasons do not restart via keyboard will quickly adapt muscle memory to become adept at reaching under their 1.5 pound Mac mini to restart.
No doubt there were design engineering reasons that Apple put the switch where they did. Good for them.
Wow. The point is that even someone with all your many concerns can easily shut off using the bottom shutoff. With the number of times folks with such concerns shut off their Macs every day I am sure that shutoof will quickly become second nature.I normally turn off my computer before I go to bed or when I'm sure it will not be used for several hours because I'm going out.
Turning it off brings peace of mind for me because it will be safe from power issues, water damage (who know), etc. Power grid where I live is not the best in the world. UPS? Surge protector? Same answer, even a UPS will be safe from needless wear and tear because of a power surge.
"Yes, surge protectors do lose their effectiveness over time. Each time a surge protector absorbs a surge, its internal components degrade slightly."
So why should I leave it on even in sleep mode if I'm sure I'm not going use it for quite a while? With an SSD, the start up process is very short that I can't even say I have to "wait" for it. Do you leave the tap open when brushing your teeth? If so, that's OK, there are people who like something available all the time like that.
The world is changing. Now people can be questioned or ridiculed if they express their desire to turn off their computer.
Oh no, the world is changing, again! Now the advice about not shutting the computer down can be considered obsolete.
"Back in the dark ages of computing, many tech support specialists advised that the computer never (or rarely) be shut down. They explained that this would save wear and tear on the hard drive and other computer components. That's less of a concern today. Shutting down the computer saves energy and allows the computer to be refreshed. Of course, you should avoid turning your computer off and on frequently, but it's fine to shut down your computer daily. If you do leave it on all the time, it's a good idea to turn it off at least once a week to let the computer reset itself."
To Sleep or Not to Sleep...and Other Power States Explained
In this tech tip, you'll learn when to put your computer or laptop to sleep, and when it's better to shut down. We'll also cover hibernation on PCs. Modern computers are equipped with several features that conserve power. Even desktop computers are programmed to blank the monitor, and spin down...www.hampshire.edu
As far as I know, currently, it looks like Apple keeps being neutral about shutting down vs sleep mode.
What is the bottom shutoff? I'm not a native speaker. If it's the Apple menu > Shutdown, I use it regularly.
And if you're thinking I'm very bothered by the location of the power button, I'm not, just a bit.
That link is about shutting down and restarting. It doesn't mention sleep at all.
The era of turning off the computer are over. Leaving the M Chip Mac in standby for a whole year, costs you 3 Dollars.
Since I bought my M2 MBA a year ago, I didn’t turn it off 😂
Since I bought my M2 MBA a year ago, I didn’t turn it off 😂
I have a Macally keyboard that has a power button on it above the num pad that turns on my current Mac Mini and MBA. Not a big deal for me.
That button is only used after plugging in the cable. From which point the keyboard turns on the computer.
Perfectly fine design.
Perfectly fine design.
The new Mac Mini isn't just small and cute but cuddly too.
It wants you to pick it up and hold it every so often.
Can't wait to get mine on Friday! 🥰🖥️
It wants you to pick it up and hold it every so often.
Can't wait to get mine on Friday! 🥰🖥️
I think the last time I used the power button to turn on my MacBook Pro was 2022.
Stop making excuses ... its silly and sufficient reason not to buy the computer.
I'll tell you where this will be a "real" problem:
We have computer rooms with mac minis. They sit in a locked box between the monitor and the monitor stand with the back side exposed. Power button is reachable.
I don't think you understand how many students choose to shut down the computer when they're done. I've tried to make it difficult: the option in the apple menu is removed, but it still exist on the login screen. So, they logout and then choose to shut down.
Now, this means that everytime someone turns off the computer, a similar box for the new mini will have to be opened to reach the power button, or they have to make something like that reddit suggestion, which will make the box a lot more expensive.
We have computer rooms with mac minis. They sit in a locked box between the monitor and the monitor stand with the back side exposed. Power button is reachable.
I don't think you understand how many students choose to shut down the computer when they're done. I've tried to make it difficult: the option in the apple menu is removed, but it still exist on the login screen. So, they logout and then choose to shut down.
Now, this means that everytime someone turns off the computer, a similar box for the new mini will have to be opened to reach the power button, or they have to make something like that reddit suggestion, which will make the box a lot more expensive.
No, it’s not.
Would you really forego buying an otherwise excellent computer, because you might have to operate a very slightly awkward button once every 3 months? If so, that would be your loss.
why not turn on "Automatically restart after a power failure" and then plug it into a switched outlet (perhaps a power strip). Then just use the switch as the power button.
When you pick it up all the ports and USB-C cords start disconnecting. Happens now on the current mini design. Very sizable aggravation that gives this concern merit.
You design for the user experience. And putting a button there means in the design of this Mac Mini, either they completely forgot about how users turn on the computer or user experience is being thought of as an afterthought, something that can be compromised.
Good for Apple maybe, but not good for users. If they elevate the fan grills a bit to allow for fingers to reach the button then that will show at least they considered how people will use the button and that at least will be forgivable for as they thought about it.
And that is if there is a damn good engineering reason behind putting the button there.