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M4 Mac Mini's Power Button Has New Bottom Location

I miss using the option key to choose your startup disc, on the M2 mini you have to hold down the power button to get the selection screen, did they carry that over or did they move it back to the option key again? :rolleyes:
 
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Mr_Ed said:
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?
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Cable management is an art. I see so many Mac users actually using cable management to keep their workspace tidy and aspiring towards that clean and minimal aesthetic exemplified by Apple.
 
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JosephAW said:
I miss using the option key to choose your startup disc, on the M2 mini you have to hold down the power button to get the selection screen, did they carry that over or did they move it back to the option key again? :rolleyes:
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Sounds annoying, but you can also change the startup disk after you boot into the account using the Settings app:

1730396353668.png
 
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JosephAW said:
Everybody’s missing it, just flip it upside down it’ll work just fine. :p
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Apparently you are right.. except it is the right way up.

In breaking news Apple has issued an apology for the misleading promotional images of the new mac mini. Aparantly a staff member in marketing accidently flipped the images while using the new usb-c magic mouse. The story goes that the battery ran out so they plugged it in to charge, but not wanting to wait and miss the deadline, they were using the mouse tethered while charging when the mistake occured.

The correct image of the device is as follows with the power button on top for easy access and top vents to allow for better heat dissipation and cooling. This is achieved with minimal use of the fan by utilising convectional currents to lower power use. An Apple spokesperson stated;

"We are very sorry for this mixup and confusion. Apple is commited to lowering power use even when devices are in use.... our aim is to please the power concious users and affirm our green stance... Now you can easily press the power button when walking away from the desk, even for 5 minutes, to enjoy maximum power savings... and you can enjoy up to 2.7x less power use over the M2 Mac Mini's cooling solution, even under heavy loads"
macmini.jpg


* for those that trigger easily, this is a parody ;p
 
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I don't know how these got missed on the news page. So after Thursdays earning call there was one last surprise for the media behind closed doors.

Apple has released the iDesk for Mac users. It comes with special features including a cable management system in the top of the desk that allows the magic mouse and keyboard to be plugged into the usb-c cable*1 and be used at the same time, with no unsightly cables distracting your workspace. By utilising a special grid structure cut into the recycled aluminium desk, it allows Apple users seamless movement of the magic mouse with the cable attached and no restrictions in usability. This breakthrough will supercharge productivity for Mac users. The iDesk pricing starts at $1899 and is available with a range of optional accessories. One of the upgrades that users are most excited about is the iHole, a finger sized cutout in the desk surface to allow users to poke their finger through a hole in the desk to turn on/off their new Mac Mini. There is 2 preconfigured options for the hole location, left or right. The iHole upgrade is $249. Other available upgrades are the iDesk drawers*2 and iDesk wheel kit, taking it's design cues from the Mac Pro wheel kit*3

iDesk.jpeg



*1 - The Apple iDesk is only compatible with the new Apple Magic Mouse and Keyboard with Usb-C ports. The Apple magic mouse and keyboard with lightning ports cannot physically connect to the cable system and use of a usb-c to lightning adapter will cause the mouse to be raised above desk height and inoperable.
*2 The iDesk drawers are unable to be used when a Mac Pro is mounted in the drawer space.
*3 The Mac Pro wheel kit is not compatible with the iDesk and seperate purchase of the iDesk wheel kit is necessary.
 
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IT Troll said:
Folks seem to be forgetting that it is not just a power button, it is also required to access startup options.
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Folks seem to be forgetting that Apple didn't remove the button, it's still there. Seriously it's just on the bottom and requires the tiniest of tiniest extra movement to access compared to where it was before. I've never seen people turn such a tiny thing into a mountain.
 
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MacMikePro said:
Folks seem to be forgetting that Apple didn't remove the button, it's still there. Seriously it's just on the bottom and requires the tiniest of tiniest extra movement to access compared to where it was before. I've never seen people turn such a tiny thing into a mountain.
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It's because things are supposed to become easier & better over time. Even for small things like that.
 
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I’m wondering whether the new mini can be turned on by pressing any button on the keyboard just like the laptops. Has anyone got their hands on one yet?
 
If I remember correctly, Apple is the company that prides itself on being very sustainability conscious - or am I wrong on this one?

I power off my Mac regularly to save electricity. I actually already evaluated this new Mac Mini due to its smaller dimensions, great chip and number of USB connectors. They removed USB-A though, which however is not an issue anymore these days, I think.
 
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markusw56 said:
If I remember correctly, Apple is the company that prides itself on being very sustainability conscious - or am I wrong on this one?

I power off my Mac regularly to save electricity. I actually already evaluated this new Mac Mini due to its smaller dimensions, great chip and number of USB connectors. They removed USB-A though, which however is not an issue anymore these days, I think.
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Someone posted earlier in the thread that a sleeping M4 Mac mini uses about $0.50 of electricity per year. You may be using more electricity if you boot it every day.
 
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It is a weird inconvenient, incredibly stupid spot for a power button. Stop defending it. Perhaps Apple thinks no one really turns this thing off and either lets it sleep or awake 24/7. Even a rare time to force reboot if you have a crash doesn't justify its location. It's absolutely absurd. Even a die hard Mac fan like me will admit that its a complete dumb place to have a power button.
 
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kagharaht said:
It is a weird inconvenient, incredibly stupid spot for a power button. Stop defending it. Perhaps Apple thinks no one really turns this thing off and either lets it sleep or awake 24/7. Even a rare time to force reboot if you have a crash doesn't justify its location. It's absolutely absurd. Even a die hard Mac fan like me will admit that its a complete dumb place to have a power button.
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Oh, it’s there for your visitors to inquire, “How do you power it up?” 😊
 
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chmania said:
As long as the 'sustainability' of profit continues to flourish.
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I totally agree on this one with you:
  • recycled aluminum is cheaper than new material
  • dropping power adapters from products means smaller package size --> more items fit into a container --> reduced shipment cost due to lighter weight
  • ... and many more examples
I think this is one secret in corporate communications: "Avoid money-related terms wherever possible and substitute them by a less suspicious wording". So, they rather explain the new procedure as a way to achieve their environmental goals.
 
markusw56 said:
I totally agree on this one with you:
  • recycled aluminum is cheaper than new material
  • dropping power adapters from products means smaller package size --> more items fit into a container --> reduced shipment cost due to lighter weight
  • ... and many more examples
I think this is one secret in corporate communications: "Avoid money-related terms wherever possible and substitute them by a less suspicious wording". So, they rather explain the new procedure as a way to achieve their environmental goals.
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Using recycled aluminium actually benefits Chinese manufacturers and the Chinese economy more than it does those of us who purchase the devices in the "West." The environmental benefits, it seems, remain in China. China is the largest producer of aluminium in the world and does not need to import any. Apple does not own a single factory in China.
 
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chmania said:
Using recycled aluminium actually benefits Chinese manufacturers and the Chinese economy more than it does those of us who purchase the devices in the "West." The environmental benefits, it seems, remain in China. China is the largest producer of aluminium in the world and does not need to import any. Apple does not own a single factory in China.
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I would think that using recycled aluminum is good for everyone independent of where the manufacturing is conducted.
 
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