M4 Mac Mini's Power Button Has New Bottom Location

[bluespark]

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.

🤔

Curious -- why don't you just put it to sleep?

 

[parameter]

Curious -- why don't you just put it to sleep?

I don't sleep my M1 Mini for many reasons (lots of reasons are listed throughout this long thread if you're curious). The main reason is that ever since I got the M1 Mini, it just does not work correctly with many externally connected devices such as drives, etc.

ALL of my Macs, which there are many of, before the M1 worked flawlessly and dealt with drives when sleeping, and so on. But the M1 does not. It keeps many devices on when they shouldn't be and it just doesn't control things right, which causes huge (yes, huge) workflow issues, especially if you use many types of devices (again, drives, docks, etc.).

Being able to turn on and off the Mac is extremely important for many users.
It will just depend if you've run into issues with sleeping any M-series Mac or not. And, it sounds like you haven't since you're asking. Which is a good thing for you, and sleeping sounds like a good strategy for your case since you can without issue.

But many of us just flat out need the ability to access the physical on/off button for a variety of reasons. I could go on and on, but hopefully that's enough to explain that there are some very important and very major issues with not being able to access that physical button - and it really will make that choice by Apple a big factor when it comes to buying this new Mini. It certainly does for me.

And while some workarounds have been mentioned, none are very good. From that article a few posts back, you can see that there's no way to slip your finger inbetween the base and bottom of the Mini to push the button. So, a different type of 3rd party stand isn't going to help because the limitation is built into the physical computer itself.

The only (somewhat funny, but also with somewhat potential) solution that I've seen in here is making/buying some type of little lever that you can push on that'll then push the button (I know, not the most elegant solution).

And at least for me, putting it on its side isn't a good option either because it puts tension on the cables and so on. As some have also said, I also have equipment that fits on top of my current Mini. Now that this one is so small, I would actually lose desk space because anything stacked before will now have to go somewhere else on my desk.

There really are reasons to hate this decision that Apple made. It may or may not apply to you, but it's definitely a major decision that will cause issues with many people, enough people to care that this thread has gone to over 18 pages now.

I personally was ready to purchase the Pro version. I was waiting for the reviews to come in before placing an order, and after seeing those photos of it up close today, I can absolutely say that the power button placement - YES - is 100% the reason that I am not jumping out to go and get one and probably won't get one at all now. We'll see after real-world usage reports come in, but pretty darn sure that this could have been a great computer for so many, however this one aspect of it just ruins it due to the necessity of having physical access to the button.

Yes, I already know the replies will come in, saying that I'm overreacting. Well, I'm not. This is day 2 and I've thoroughly thought things through and it does come down to that single choice. Unfortunately that does rule it out as an upgrade for myself.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Curious -- why don't you just put it to sleep?

I thought about it, but I just couldn’t do it. It never bit anyone and has been a loyal companion.

 

[AgentOSX]

Pretty sure it actually reduces the life of the computer to do this

You are wrong.

 

[bluespark]

I don't sleep my M1 Mini for many reasons (lots of reasons are listed throughout this long thread if you're curious). The main reason is that ever since I got the M1 Mini, it just does not work correctly with many externally connected devices such as drives, etc.

ALL of my Macs, which there are many of, before the M1 worked flawlessly and dealt with drives when sleeping, and so on. But the M1 does not. It keeps many devices on when they shouldn't be and it just doesn't control things right, which causes huge (yes, huge) workflow issues, especially if you use many types of devices (again, drives, docks, etc.).

Being able to turn on and off the Mac is extremely important for many users.
It will just depend if you've run into issues with sleeping any M-series Mac or not. And, it sounds like you haven't since you're asking. Which is a good thing for you, and sleeping sounds like a good strategy for your case since you can without issue.

But many of us just flat out need the ability to access the physical on/off button for a variety of reasons. I could go on and on, but hopefully that's enough to explain that there are some very important and very major issues with not being able to access that physical button - and it really will make that choice by Apple a big factor when it comes to buying this new Mini. It certainly does for me.

And while some workarounds have been mentioned, none are very good. From that article a few posts back, you can see that there's no way to slip your finger inbetween the base and bottom of the Mini to push the button. So, a different type of 3rd party stand isn't going to help because the limitation is built into the physical computer itself.

The only (somewhat funny, but also with somewhat potential) solution that I've seen in here is making/buying some type of little lever that you can push on that'll then push the button (I know, not the most elegant solution).

And at least for me, putting it on its side isn't a good option either because it puts tension on the cables and so on. As some have also said, I also have equipment that fits on top of my current Mini. Now that this one is so small, I would actually lose desk space because anything stacked before will now have to go somewhere else on my desk.

There really are reasons to hate this decision that Apple made. It may or may not apply to you, but it's definitely a major decision that will cause issues with many people, enough people to care that this thread has gone to over 18 pages now.

I personally was ready to purchase the Pro version. I was waiting for the reviews to come in before placing an order, and after seeing those photos of it up close today, I can absolutely say that the power button placement - YES - is 100% the reason that I am not jumping out to go and get one and probably won't get one at all now. We'll see after real-world usage reports come in, but pretty darn sure that this could have been a great computer for so many, however this one aspect of it just ruins it due to the necessity of having physical access to the button.

Yes, I already know the replies will come in, saying that I'm overreacting. Well, I'm not. This is day 2 and I've thoroughly thought things through and it does come down to that single choice. Unfortunately that does rule it out as an upgrade for myself.

Thanks for your response. FWIW, my question was genuine curiosity and I don't think you're necessarily overreacting. While I do not have these issues, my use-case is very different. Even though this does not affect me, I do think it was a poor design choice.

 

[Chuckeee]

IF I get a new Mini, I may just set it on my desk upside-down, so the power button is "right there" to be pressed when needed.

Or you can mount it on its side.

 

[parameter]

Thanks for your response. FWIW, my question was genuine curiosity and I don't think you're necessarily overreacting. While I do not have these issues, my use-case is very different. Even though this does not affect me, I do think it was a poor design choice.

Sorry if I came off sounding defensive, I wasn't meaning to. I have just been following this thread and was replying based on some other posts from others that think it's a complete non-issue for everyone.

But hopefully it does show that it definitely can be a big, real issue for some users, and also one that's just more of a why do that Apple? post. I just really hope they don't do this to the Studio when it is updated, but have a bad feeling that they will do it almost out of spite. Hopefully not.

 

[HowardEv]

is it still true that unplugging the Mini while it is on, rather than using Shut Down, is very risky for drives and data? Is it also risky from sleep mode? So if you want to move Mini to another room, or rearrange your desk, or pull the power cords out of the wall to vacuum, you should shut it down first, not put it to sleep, right? And then restart with press on the button.

 

[brofkand]

is it still true that unplugging the Mini while it is on, rather than using Shut Down, is very risky for drives and data? Is it also risky from sleep mode? So if you want to move Mini to another room, or rearrange your desk, or pull the power cords out of the wall to vacuum, you should shut it down first, not put it to sleep, right? And then restart with press on the button.

Not really an issue these days, but still not a good thing to do routinely.

 

[steve333]

I'm going to wait for Black Friday, maybe Apple or Best Buy will offer the new Mini with free USB-A to USB-C adapters or a USB-C Thumb Drive

 

[brofkand]

I'm going to wait for Black Friday, maybe Apple or Best Buy will offer the new Mini with free USB-A to USB-C adapters or a USB-C Thumb Drive

They will certainly be discounted by then. Apple is now a discount computer company - the days of Apple never doing discounts are long gone.

 

[SnowPenguin]

I believe there is a separate cauldron in hell for those who decided and approved to place the power button at the bottom. In the same cauldron will be cooked those who decided on the charging port of the magic mouse

Along with many people from Microsoft & Google.

 

[tonmischa]

Children and people with normal fingers won't need to raise the side. Only fat fingered people will

You have lost that bet.

A first look at Apple’s redesigned Mac Mini and its other new Macs

We’ve got photos of Apple’s new Macs.

www.theverge.com

Disagree all you want, but it is a fact.

 

[quietstormSD]

Let me guess, “Courage”

 

[anshuvorty]

F... it...I am gonna place the Mac mini upside down just so that I can easily access that power button, thermal efficiency be damned!!

 

[johnrlaporta]

None of this would be an issue if we could still turn these machines on with a keyboard power button.

 

[NickRno77]

I was thinking of designing and printing something like this, he beat me to it. Its a good simple solution.

New Mac Mini's Top power button by danielha2058 MakerWorld: Download Free 3D Models

The new Mac Mini's power button is at the bottom... And Disappointed a lot of people. Now you can fix it, using a 3D printer I'm serious, because there may be people who put stuff on top of the mac min, or place it in tight spots, and it would be a lot easier if the button was on top. For this...

makerworld.com

 

[polyphenol]

Is there any possibility that Apple have actually enabled remote switch-on? E.g. like Matter. Letting us switch on our M4 minis from our phones, pads, computers. I can see that as being a very neat approach.

Given that both back and front of the case have sockets, if you want to use a mini on its side you have to choose left or right (as viewed from the front). But does it matter whether you put it on its left or right side? Some of the air/heat flow images seem to imply it does matter.

 

[Mr_Ed]

Given that both back and front of the case have sockets, if you want to use a mini on its side you have to choose left or right (as viewed from the front). But does it matter whether you put it on its left or right side? Some of the air/heat flow images seem to imply it does matter.

This is what I would be inclined to do with something so small. Shove it in a shelf somewhere, possibly sideways to take up even less space, freeing up desk space completely. I just hope we don’t find out later that thermals suffer significantly if you orient it sideways. “You’re orienting it wrong” simply would not fly for a device this small.

 

[chmania]

Tiny mini, but not Apple, with the power button at the front, and with 16GB. 😏

 

[polyphenol]

This is what I would be inclined to do with something so small. Shove it in a shelf somewhere, possibly sideways to take up even less space, freeing up desk space completely. I just hope we don’t find out later that thermals suffer significantly if you orient it sideways. “You’re orienting it wrong” simply would not fly for a device this small.

Well there was a shot of sideways mounted minis is a rack in Apple's video so I assume it is OK to do so! But suddenly realised orientation just might matter.

I might make a hole in the surface I'll likely be placing it on so that I can access the switched easily. But that won't be an option for most people.

 

[NickRno77]

Simple solution I found on Facebook, if you have a 3d Printer or know someone who has.

New Mac Mini's Top power button by danielha2058 MakerWorld: Download Free 3D Models

The new Mac Mini's power button is at the bottom... And Disappointed a lot of people. Now you can fix it, using a 3D printer I'm serious, because there may be people who put stuff on top of the mac min, or place it in tight spots, and it would be a lot easier if the button was on top. For this...

makerworld.com

 

[chmania]

Simple solution I found on Facebook, if you have a 3d Printer or know some who has.

New Mac Mini's Top power button by danielha2058 MakerWorld: Download Free 3D Models

The new Mac Mini's power button is at the bottom... And Disappointed a lot of people. Now you can fix it, using a 3D printer I'm serious, because there may be people who put stuff on top of the mac min, or place it in tight spots, and it would be a lot easier if the button was on top. For this...

makerworld.com

Why waste time and money? Just keep it upright; it allows for better ventilation too!

 

[Mr_Ed]

Simple solution I found on Facebook, if you have a 3d Printer or know someone who has.

New Mac Mini's Top power button by danielha2058 MakerWorld: Download Free 3D Models

The new Mac Mini's power button is at the bottom... And Disappointed a lot of people. Now you can fix it, using a 3D printer I'm serious, because there may be people who put stuff on top of the mac min, or place it in tight spots, and it would be a lot easier if the button was on top. For this...

makerworld.com

As a 3d print hobbyist, I applaud the effort. But I also think the fact that some are already trying to work around this particular decision should inform Apple’s fixation with “form over function”, or it would if Apple gave a hoot.

I mean, how “beautiful” does it actually look when people are attaching things to it to overcome the power button placement?

 

[NickRno77]

Why waste time and money? Just keep it upright; it allows for better ventilation too!

I’ve got nothing better to do plus I have a 3d Printer, costs pennies. You mean on its side, that would work for me 👍

As a 3d print hobbyist, I applaud the effort. But I also think the fact that some are already trying to work around this particular decision should inform Apple’s fixation with “form over function”, or it would if Apple gave a hoot.

I mean, how “beautiful” does it actually look when people are attaching things to it to overcome the power button placement?

I think the same person that designed the MacBook Pro feature that turns the MacBook On when lifting lid whether you like it or not design the Mac Mini 4. It’s bizarre! 😂.