I agree that people are being dramatic, but in reality this is a pretty stupid design. I, and many other people out there, have our teeny Mac Minis mounted to the back of our desks or monitors. They’re so small, and it looks great to have everything hidden away.
But that’s no longer possible if I have to lift up the computer to hit the power button.
..not directed at you but yes I agree that there's some who are being very dramatic about this and I also think it an odd choice but as no one has actually handled one it is a bit premature for everyone to carry on like this. I will say I have used apple devices for nearly 2 decades but never owned a Mac and this Mac mini is the first to make me order a (m4 pro) Mac device, firstly because it will be an awesome processing machine and secondly the power button placement is just a non issue. I have a brain, fingers and a thumb, I think I'll be ok.
I wanted to reply to this comment in a general way as I am just confused by the people in the mounting camp as you describe above. If you are mounting it to the back of a monitor or desk to have it hidden away, then looks is the least of your worries as you obviously don't want to see it. And if you are mounting it to the back of a monitor, the last thing you'd want is the heat exhaust blowing onto the monitor heating it up. So logic says mount it with the exhaust (bottom) facing out, which with this design is the best possible thing as the power button is facing out and super accessible. Apple's design choice here is the best possible outcome as it makes it easier to access. So in effect this camp is upset that they have better access to the power button... colour me confused.
If the power button means more to anyone than the jump in performance from the last Mac mini and what Apple has achieved in such a small form factor then, there isn't an easy way to say this, I don't think a Mac mini is what you really need. Maybe an Atom mini pc or a Raspberry Pi 5 will have all the power you need.
