M4 Mac Mini's Power Button Has New Bottom Location

[MacRumors]

The M4 Mac mini has an overhauled design that adds more ports in a slimmed down package, and to make everything fit, Apple needed a new place for the power button.

As it turns out, the power button for the device is located on the bottom, so as Mr. Macintosh pointed out, you'll need to tip the Mac mini up in order to turn it on (or off, using the physical button).

Apple has been criticized for questionable button and port placement with other devices such as the Magic Mouse, but accessing the power button is probably not something most people do often with a desktop machine. Macs don't often need to be turned off, and most people put them into a sleep mode rather than shutting them down on a regular basis.

The power button is located on the rear left of the Mac mini when looking at the front of the machine, below the three Thunderbolt ports.

Pricing on the Mac mini starts at $599, and it can be pre-ordered today. It will launch on Friday, November 8.

Article Link: M4 Mac Mini's Power Button Has New Bottom Location

 

[meltman]

How convenient.

 

[Phonzoxd]

Wow Mr Macintosh needed to point out to us that we need to tip it over to turn it on?

 

[salz4life]

It's kind of odd, but at the some time, I rarely turn off my ancient (2012) iMac, letting it just "go to sleep". Based on that, I don't think it will be a big deal when I eventually get it.

 

[e-coli]

Magic Mouse team is gaining influence internally.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Ooo... I get to give it a little poke in the bottom

 

[Mazda 3s]

"Courage"

But seriously, this doesn't bother me at all -- definitely not nearly as much as the USB-C port on the bottom of the Magic Mouse.

 

[ChedNasad]

I don't recall the last time I turned off my Mac. Feels like the most I do is reboot from time to time in our post intel mac world

 

[Jim Lahey]

This is satire, right?

 

[iMatt.]

Ugh how annoying. I'm always switching off my Mac mini to save battery.

 

[newdeal]

I never turn off my computer but still if you tell me there was no where else on the machine for a power button I will say you are lying. Clearly a button didn't need to be on the bottom

 

[vtrautia]

Power gate

 

[CalMin]

Ugh how annoying. I'm always switching off my Mac mini to save battery.

Off is easy - just 'shutdown'. On is going to be a PITA.

 

[Fuzzball84]

So I generally turn off my Mac Mini at the end of the day. Have done with several generations of the device and they have lasted a long time. Have never had an issue with any Mac mini ever and never required a service.

The only devices I don’t switch off are iPads, iPhones etc but I do occasionally switch off my MacBook if not using it a while.

So this for me comes across as a bizarre placement for the power button.

Just bizarre to have to tip up the device to switch it on and off. Or technically just to switch it on etc.

🤔

 

[CWallace]

For server/co-lo you never touch the thing, so on the bottom is probably a bonus since it dramatically reduces accidental activation.

I turn my Mac off every night, so if I ever get a mini, I will probably just put it to sleep.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

While completely irrelevant for 99% of people, it's an odd design choice considering that Apple is so heavily pushing carbon neutral, and even low-carbon electricity for charging. You would think that turning the computer fully off would be higher up on their list of priorities.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I had my M1 Mini laying on it's side when I had it in effort to conserve usable desk space. This could be Apple acknowledging how people mount or position their mini computers in the real world.

 

[iZac]

Ooo... I get to give it a little poke in the bottom

They even show it in the intro video, little mac mini went for his annual health check:

 

[Bearygoodfries1]

I never turn off my computer but still if you tell me there was no where else on the machine for a power button I will say you are lying. Clearly a button didn't need to be on the bottom

I’ve genuinely thought about doing this. No issues would arise at all?

 

[theluggage]

This is a joke, right?
...?

 

[sunapple]

None of the ports are on the bottom so can’t complain.

 

[sza]

It seems that the base model, priced at $599, is the most cost-effective option. If you make any upgrades here and there, it ends up being just as expensive as getting a Mac Studio."

 

[nerdAFK]

“F*ck you for complaining about 🪄Magic Mouse🪄”

- Apple Design Team

 

[Prince Akeem]

Not really a problem for desktop usage (where you rarely use the power key anyway), but this may become a PITA for people who build Mini's into special build confined spaces/cabinets/racks or cars.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I shut down my personal and work computers for the weekend, and if I did get this, it wouldn't be that big of a deal to power it on once per week.

Ehh.. 🤷🏻‍♂️