5 days since the M4 Mac Mini launched. How has the power button impacted your life?

[OldMacs4Me]

Mine sits on its side with the fan towards me and the button on the upper left. That way all ports are easily accessible as well as not having to search for the power button. If Apple wants the occasional visitor to see the Apple logo, that's on them. I don't honestly care.

 

[ILoveCalvinCool]

Having just had to drive a 90 minute round trip to help a new Mac mini M4 owner (mid 80s) turn on their Mac mini...

I think your mom just misses you.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I agree the location and design of the power button could be better

But I also have found it to be a total non issue

I've powered on/off my M4 Mini 3 times -- all 3 were when I was moving it (changing setup around while I figure out what's best w/ peripherals, etc)

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I agree the location and design of the power button could be better

But I also have found it to be a total non issue

I've powered on/off my M4 Mini 3 times -- all 3 were when I was moving it (changing setup around while I figure out what's best w/ peripherals, etc)

Same here. I have it sitting on my desk under my monitor, so it's not hard to reach over and hit it, But I also haven't really needed to. I just put it to sleep at night. The rest of the time I have it ready to go.

 

[Alameda]

How is poor design not responsible for people struggling to use said poorly designed product?

Such a struggle! Oh, the humanity! The suffering! How can these desperate souls get out of bed? Is there a GoFundMe? I’ve just got to do something to help them!

 

[TechnoMonk]

Having just had to drive a 90 minute round trip to help a new Mac mini M4 owner (mid 80s) turn on their Mac mini... I get a lot of people don't turn their Macs off, but putting the power button on the front of the Mini would have made so much more sense. Holding patience while trying to describe over the phone how to turn the Mac on and then having to abandon ship and waste 90 minutes is just ridiculous because Apple made a poor design decision.

Having someone in mid 80s use a PC/Mac is elderly abuse. Give them tablet or simple devices. There is a reason devices like life alert are targeted. Heck go with a laptop, too many moving parts switch on computer, power on monitor, check connections, Bluetooth keyboard and mouse need to be charged. Why put the elders all through this.

 

[Alameda]

Having someone in mid 80s use a PC/Mac is elderly abuse. Give them tablet or simple devices. There is a reason devices like life alert are targeted. Heck go with a laptop, too many moving parts switch on computer, power on monitor, check connections, Bluetooth keyboard and mouse need to be charged. Why put the elders all through this.

Oh really?
In the late 90’s I was waiting for my car at a carwash, and a very old geezer sat down next to me and struck up a conversation. I told him I worked in the computer industry.

“Computers? Oh, I learned how to use one at the senior citizen center.” (“Here we go,” I thought).

Then he explained that he was the secretary of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and they couldn’t afford their quarterly mailing expenses. He found out that if he sorted the letters by zip code and printed the mailing labels with a zip+4 code and bar code, the Post Office would charge him half the price.

So he created a database of his mailing list and then he ran it against a database he’d bought of zip+4 zip codes and bar codes, then sorted the print output by zip code and printed the mailing labels.

The man survived Pearl Harbor, the rest of WW II and he could probably kick both our butts at any computer-related endeavor he set his mind to. So don’t underestimate an old geezer. You just never know.

 

[Boyd01]

At 75 now, who knows what the future holds for me... but if I'm still around, you can bet I'll still be using a Mac, a linux server, probably a PC and some other devices (just like now). I got serious about writing javascript code when I was 70 and have been developing a complex web app ever since, creating 3tb of content by myself.

We have several members here at MacRumors in their mid-eighties, we recently had a contact from one. It's certainly possible that a person of that age could have disabilities that make it difficult to use a computer, but I wouldn't assume somebody can't use a Mac based solely on their age.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Oh really?
In the late 90’s I was waiting for my car at a carwash, and a very old geezer sat down next to me and struck up a conversation. I told him I worked in the computer industry.

“Computers? Oh, I learned how to use one at the senior citizen center.” (“Here we go,” I thought).

Then he explained that he was the secretary of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and they couldn’t afford their quarterly mailing expenses. He found out that if he sorted the letters by zip code and printed the mailing labels with a zip+4 code and bar code, the Post Office would charge him half the price.

So he created a database of his mailing list and then he ran it against a database he’d bought of zip+4 zip codes and bar codes, then sorted the print output by zip code and printed the mailing labels.

The man survived Pearl Harbor, the rest of WW II and he could probably kick both our butts at any computer-related endeavor he set his mind to. So don’t underestimate an old geezer. You just never know.

I never underestimate older folks. I know some one who uses PCs in the 90s. But if some one is struggling with on/Off button in a mac Mini, that’s not the right gadget for that person. Gadgets and devices are to make life easier, not harder.

 

[TechnoMonk]

At 75 now, who knows what the future holds for me... but if I'm still around, you can bet I'll still be using a Mac, a linux server, probably a PC and some other devices (just like now). I got serious about writing javascript code when I was 70 and have been developing a complex web app ever since, creating 3tb of content by myself.

We have several members here at MacRumors in their mid-eighties, we recently had a contact from one. It's certainly possible that a person of that age could have disabilities that make it difficult to use a computer, but I wouldn't assume somebody can't use a Mac based solely on their age.

I agree. Macrumors is an exception, I have interacted with few folks who are older here and extremely knowledgeable, more than some of the young ones. But I have seen my own parents, my dad used laptop till he passed away. My Mom uses a tablet, and doesn’t wnat anything to do with PC/Mac.

 

[Altis]

I have an 80+ year old relative who used to work in a law office (so not tech), and she uses linux, VPNs, removes DRMs from library book PDFs, and does all kinds of things all on her own.

As for the Mini power button, I use it pretty much every day to turn it on. Where I have it located isn't a big deal, but it is still the only inconvenient of six surfaces of the machine they could have put it on as it's the only one that's up against the desk. Makes no sense to me.

If I put it on something that raises is a few cm then I can press the button without having to lift it. One of those little handheld donuts rock climbers use to build hand strength is the perfect size for this, actually.

 

[Alameda]

I have an 80+ year old relative who used to work in a law office (so not tech), and she uses linux, VPNs, removes DRMs from library book PDFs, and does all kinds of things all on her own.

As for the Mini power button, I use it pretty much every day to turn it on. Where I have it located isn't a big deal, but it is still the only inconvenient of six surfaces of the machine they could have put it on as it's the only one that's up against the desk. Makes no sense to me.

If I put it on something that raises is a few cm then I can press the button without having to lift it. One of those little handheld donuts rock climbers use to build hand strength is the perfect size for this, actually.

Just use Sleep instead of Shut Down.

 

[seggy]

Such a struggle! Oh, the humanity! The suffering! How can these desperate souls get out of bed? Is there a GoFundMe? I’ve just got to do something to help them!

As if you hypocrites won't hesitate to eviscerate a product from anyone else with the same glaring flaw.

Personally, I've stuck sticky rubber feet that will partially adhere to the desk onto the right side of all my interactively used Minis. That way there's no issue with them toppling over - it takes quite a lot of force to unschlup them from the desk - and while power button access is still a minor pain especially if I'm e.g. holding my tea in my left hand, it's less of a pain.

Also, since the interactive Minis will inevitably become Dongle City I'll probably end up getting a drive plinth-hub that raises the unit and has an indentation to allow easy access to the switch.

I did buy a significant portion of the Minis to stay on 24/7 as home utility servers, so in their case it's a non-issue. That doesn't however mean it's not dumb.

 

[Altis]

Just use Sleep instead of Shut Down.

I do sometimes if I know I'm coming back to the Mini next.

I use my Mini through the Dell U2723QE built-in KVM with my PC to share the audio interface, mouse, and a drive.

The Mini doesn't seem to like being disconnected from its things while it's on so I just shut it down when I switch between them for the most part so it doesn't detect the changes and try to change settings, wake up, etc.

 

[mapleleafer]

But I also have found it to be a total non issue

It's only not an issue if you don't care.

 

[F23]

6 page thread about a power button location is why i am a macrumors reader

 

[seggy]

6 page thread about a power button location is why i am a macrumors reader

It's because Apple's many design & (more frequent) engineering flaws are often uniquely dumb and simultaneously defended in a way only Apple products can be, that it becomes entertainment.

But it works both ways of course because both the spirited defence and the karening when something isn't perfect comes from people who ultimately have no idea what they're buying beyond a brand: The Airpod case wiggle thread is equally hilarious if for different reasons

 

[MBHockey]

is it the best idea? no. does it actually matter though? no.

I've had one since launch. i completely forgot about it.

 

[oldmacs]

Such a struggle! Oh, the humanity! The suffering! How can these desperate souls get out of bed? Is there a GoFundMe? I’ve just got to do something to help them!

Here is an idea. We're in the first world. First world problems are a thing. It's poor design. Apple gets away with it because they're Apple.

I get for many this is a non issue, but objectively for those who do for whatever reason need to press the button, it's a poor design.

Having someone in mid 80s use a PC/Mac is elderly abuse. Give them tablet or simple devices. There is a reason devices like life alert are targeted. Heck go with a laptop, too many moving parts switch on computer, power on monitor, check connections, Bluetooth keyboard and mouse need to be charged. Why put the elders all through this.

Not really... He tried an iPad and didn't love it due to the small touch targets, though uses an iPhone for relatively basic stuff fine. He moved from a Laptop to a desktop about 6 years ago to have screen real-estate. Does a lot of family history research, budgeting with excel etc. Has been using Macs since the early 90s.

I support many elderly people on Macs (and some on PCs). Some like iPads, some do not. Many prefer a full blown computer to a tablet.

 

[oldmacs]

I did buy a significant portion of the Minis to stay on 24/7 as home utility servers, so in their case it's a non-issue. That doesn't however mean it's not dumb.

This is my point exactly. There are plenty of dumb design moves in many products which are a non-issue for many people, but just becuase it's a non issue for some people doesn't make it poor design.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Here is an idea. We're in the first world. First world problems are a thing. It's poor design. Apple gets away with it because they're Apple.

I get for many this is a non issue, but objectively for those who do for whatever reason need to press the button, it's a poor design.



Not really... He tried an iPad and didn't love it due to the small touch targets, though uses an iPhone for relatively basic stuff fine. He moved from a Laptop to a desktop about 6 years ago to have screen real-estate. Does a lot of family history research, budgeting with excel etc. Has been using Macs since the early 90s.

I support many elderly people on Macs (and some on PCs). Some like iPads, some do not. Many prefer a full blown computer to a tablet.

Apple gets away because you bought a device that is not designed for your purpose. My last Mac mini before M4 mini was Mac mini 2009, the post 2009 Mac mini wasn’t up to my tastes. I recently picked up a base mini for 499 in Costco to replace couple of raspberry pi’s. It was good deal and I keep them on all the time. If Apple makes a poor choice, don’t buy it. If it’s a big issue buy older mini or a PC.

 

[oldmacs]

Apple gets away because you bought a device that is not designed for your purpose. My last Mac mini before M4 mini was Mac mini 2009, the post 2009 Mac mini wasn’t up to my tastes. I recently picked up a base mini for 499 in Costco to replace couple of raspberry pi’s. It was good deal and I keep them on all the time. If Apple makes a poor choice, don’t buy it. If it’s a big issue buy older mini or a PC.

Apple gets away with it because they're Apple. People on here will defend poor design decisions by Apple to the death.

I don't own an Mini M4... I do however provide tech support for some people who have one. Why anyone should have to fork out $700+ more for an iMac just to get a Mac that doesn't have a poorly placed on/off button is beyond me.

If I was in the market for a Mac mini, I would still buy one for the software but that wouldn't make the power button placement any less annoying (to me) or any less of a poor design choice.

It's like my Magic Mouse, the charging port on the bottom doesn't personally bother me much, but just cause I don't get bothered by it, doesn't make it good design.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Apple gets away with it because they're Apple. People on here will defend poor design decisions by Apple to the death.

I don't own an Mini M4... I do however provide tech support for some people who have one. Why anyone should have to fork out $700+ more for an iMac just to get a Mac that doesn't have a poorly placed on/off button is beyond me.

If I was in the market for a Mac mini, I would still buy one for the software but that wouldn't make the power button placement any less annoying (to me) or any less of a poor design choice.

It's like my Magic Mouse, the charging port on the bottom doesn't personally bother me much, but just cause I don't get bothered by it, doesn't make it good design.

no one has to fork out anything. You can’t change what Apple is selling, you have a choice to not buy. It’s just unhealthy to buy devices that make you angry and unhappy. I don’t owe Apple anything and Apple doesn’t owe me anything. If not for AS, I was ready to dump my 2019 MBP and go Linux. MBP 2019 was one of the worst Mac’s, ran hot and noisy. I moved on from Mac Pro 2012 to Linux workstation, Mac Pro just wasn’t good value nor design choices were to my liking.

Apple isn’t your friend or an enemy, they are a company. You have a choice to buy or not.

 

[cjsuk]

Oh noes I pressed it again. That's twice now. There was a power cut when I was away on holiday and it was off when I got back.

The cooker however lost the time and I have no idea how to set it so I'm going to have to dig out the manual and piddle around and work it out, which is going to take 100x as long at least as pressing the power button on the bottom of the mac....

 

[popup]

I shut down my computers when I do not use them. Same for my M4 pro mini. I can live with the button placed on the bottom, it does not make my life harder, but still it is a stupid design decision.