Is it "off" or not?

[VerizonLover]

Per this comment it is impossible to turn off the auto-boot from power/key press.

How stupid! How many other vendors' laptops (not to mention previous gen MacBooks) do this? Zero!

This is the equivalent of an iPhone that turns on when you press one of the volume buttons, with no way to disable said feature.

At least the previous-gen MBPs (excepting the touch bar) allowed you to turn said "feature" off via boot-args.

This is the one thing that is stopping me from getting a new 16" MBP (aside from the chip shortage).

Does anyone think Apple will make it optional again? I hope so, but doubt it.

 

[Sanpete]

How is this a (serious) problem?

 

[Ray2]

Its a problem for those of us with M1 Air's like mine. The lid needs to open less than 1mm to trigger a boot. As in I can't place a very thin microfibre keyboard protector in mine and get it to remain off. Now, as laptops tend to be mobile, put it to mobile use and out of wifi range of known networks. We now have a battery drain as its constantly looking for a network. Leave it overnight and 20% to 30% could be gone, on a battery that by default only receives an 80% charge.

Its part of the unfinished nature of Apple silicone. If this is the way Apple intended things to be, my M1 iPad Pro would be the same. But its not, when I want it off, it goes totally off. The way Apple intended it to be. I can live with it as eventually I assume we will know how to deal with it either via an app or the command line.

 

[opeter]

Why don't you turn off the Wi-fi, if you don't need it?

 

[Ray2]

That’s what I do. I consider than a workaround. One that does not need to exist. For people who purchased a laptop for mobile use, it strikes me as an odd arrangement. However, giving Apple credit for knowing more about its users than I do, I assume Macbooks see mobile use about as often as Jeep's go off-road.

 

[svenmany]

I've decided that the issue is not important to me as long as I have File Vault on. Even though the computer accidentally starts, it doesn't get very far in the boot process since it doesn't actually unlock the disk. If I don't log in to unlock the disk, the computer shuts itself down pretty quickly.

If one doesn't have File Vault on, then this automatic boot is a problem. Even without logging in, launch daemons would start and potentially do things you don't want. Some could easily pose a security risk.

 

[Christopher Kim]

While I agree it is odd that Apple hasn't allowed this to be set, I do think it affects a very small minority of users. Chalk me up to one of those who never shuts down their MBP - I only put it to sleep when I'm done using it.

It feels like with Apple bringing their iPhone/iPad-based chips in the M1/M1P/M1M to the Mac, with the incredible battery life, it's sort of meant to be used like an iPhone or an iPad. When's the last time you ever completely turn your iPhone or iPad off? For me, it's never.

We now have a battery drain as its constantly looking for a network. Leave it overnight and 20% to 30% could be gone, on a battery that by default only receives an 80% charge.

Is that really how much battery gets drained when your M1 MBA is asleep, but not in range of a wifi network, and is constantly looking for a network? Admittedly, I basically never have this situation... but it would really surprise me! If that's a big part of your weekly/monthly routine, then I can see why it would be annoying to you.

 

[svenmany]

Is that really how much battery gets drained when your M1 MBA is asleep, ...

Some processes can prevent sleep. I've had this happen many times.

If I really want to guarantee no battery drain while unplugged, I shut down the laptop to make sure nothing is running. Then, with the safety of File Vault, I know nothing will start running without my permission.

Too many times I've opened my laptop bag to find my Mac very, very hot, with the fans spinning at top speed. I've decided it's critical to have a way to really shut off my Mac.

 

[Sanpete]

Its a problem for those of us with M1 Air's like mine. The lid needs to open less than 1mm to trigger a boot. As in I can't place a very thin microfibre keyboard protector in mine and get it to remain off. Now, as laptops tend to be mobile, put it to mobile use and out of wifi range of known networks. We now have a battery drain as its constantly looking for a network. Leave it overnight and 20% to 30% could be gone, on a battery that by default only receives an 80% charge.

Its part of the unfinished nature of Apple silicone. If this is the way Apple intended things to be, my M1 iPad Pro would be the same. But its not, when I want it off, it goes totally off. The way Apple intended it to be. I can live with it as eventually I assume we will know how to deal with it either via an app or the command line.

Can't tell if you're talking about the same issue. Autoboot when opening the lid isn't the same as starting when a key is pressed.

In any case, it seems you need a thinner screen protector, or maybe better, no screen protector.

The power drain while sleeping is also another issue, discussed in several threads here if you want some more ideas about it.

 

[Techdunce]

Per this comment it is impossible to turn off the auto-boot from power/key press.

How stupid! How many other vendors' laptops (not to mention previous gen MacBooks) do this? Zero!

This is the equivalent of an iPhone that turns on when you press one of the volume buttons, with no way to disable said feature.

At least the previous-gen MBPs (excepting the touch bar) allowed you to turn said "feature" off via boot-args.

This is the one thing that is stopping me from getting a new 16" MBP (aside from the chip shortage).

Does anyone think Apple will make it optional again? I hope so, but doubt it.

I agree. I would definitely like to have the option to disable the auto boot "feature". I think it's dumb of Apple not to offer the option and therefore satisfy more customers. Logical, yes?