It's official. You have to lift up the mini to turn it on

[Bazza1]

Don't know about the design of newest version of Mini, but would it kill Apple to put the power button on / incorporate with the same loaction as the power on light?

Whether you use it often (or at all), there's no reason a user should be digging around at the back or underneath the product to access the power button. Once again with Apple, form supersedes function. They think its cool, but its just bad industrial design.

 

[halo9]

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.

 

[halo9]

They think its cool, but its just bad industrial design.

Lol, walk up to a Konica Minolta bizhub printer and try and turn it on/off. Talk about a PITA. 👍

 

[progx]

Let's rephrase it. The relocated power button ensures you'll never accidentally turn off your mini when moving things around your desk.

"That new power button has saved me from disaster a couple times a year" - Someone with a busy desk.

Yeah, that’s happened quite a few times with my late 2018 mini. Accidental pushing down on the power button and it turns off. I’m okay with it being on the bottom this time.

But the best part about it… the button isn’t flush with the frame!

 

[yeahmeknows]

I fail to understand why this is such a big deal? I don't even remember the last time I had to use the power button on any of my Macs except if they hang (which is extremely rare) and I've been using Macs exclusively since 2007.
I’m actually glad it’s hidden away. It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing part of the design, to be honest.

 

[ILoveCalvinCool]

I fail to understand why this is such a big deal? I don't even remember the last time I had to use the power button on any of my Macs except if they hang (which is extremely rare) and I've been using Macs exclusively since 2007.
I’m actually glad it’s hidden away. It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing part of the design, to be honest.

The more I think about it, the more I think the bottom is the best place for it. Anywhere else and it's easier to accidentally shut the machine off manually, which is something I (and I think most) users almost never do on purpose.

 

[fp99]

They are meant to keep running 24/7 so apple can steal your data from it and feed the AI machine.
/s

Since aluminum is a good conductor of electricity, maybe Apple figured instead of putting on the back on the aluminum chassis, they rather have it surrounded with plastic. 🤷‍♂️

 

[agregson]

I wonder would it power on with press of the touchID key on Magic Keyboard. That would be handy.
I have just realised/remembered my Studio display has no power button - never go looking for it. Also had to have a peer around the M2 mini to check/remember if/where it had a power button. I wonder if Apple have usage stats on how often power buttons are used and that affected their placement decision?

 

[fehhkk]

I think I have used the power button on my M1 Mini twice in 4 years lol

 

[*~Kim~*]

Apple considers it more important to have an Apple logo on the top/accessible than a power button 🤣 Both would’ve fitted…

 

[fp99]

Apple considers it more important to have an Apple logo on the top/accessible than a power button 🤣 Both would’ve fitted…

Future innovation....touch apple logo. doubles as power button and AI/siri button? lol

 

[nt5672]

I don't see the problem. Connect it to a power strip, then use the big red button on the power strip. That is what Apple expects, sure it will shorten component life, but that is good for Apple and its shareholders.

 

[DrJR]

I'd initially not been too bothered by the power button being on the bottom, seeing it as no different to placing the power button on the back of the device in reality. Except rather than reaching to the back you'd reach to the bottom left of the device and press the inset button. The circular base would of course have enough height so you could place your finger under the corner. No problem.

That's now all changed as The Verge has just confirmed you have to actually lift up the device to press the button. Yes, lift up your desktop computer to turn it on. From the hands on article "He also says there’s no way to reach the power button, which is on the underside of the computer, without lifting it up."

https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/30/24283861/apple-redesigned-mac-mini-macbook-pro-imac-m4-photos

This is a disaster.

I never turn my machines off. I can't see how that is a disaster. Who ever shuts them down all the way? That is the disaster.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

My Apple TV has no power button at all.

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

Lol, walk up to a Konica Minolta bizhub printer and try and turn it on/off. Talk about a PITA. 👍

That is called deflection. Pointing to another bad design suddenly does not make Apples design good or better.

 

[robfoll]

I NEVER use the hardware power switch on any of my Macs. Always shotdown or reboot in software and restart from keyboard.

 

[whitby]

Ask yourself, how often do you physically power off your computer, any computer or iPhone, or iPad etc. ? This is much ado about nothing.

 

[Eso]

If this is really making someone not buy this absolute bargain (finally) of a device, then you really didn’t want a Mac Mini that bad. I can’t wait to get one.

The M4 pro version isn’t quite the same bargain at more than double the entry level price.

 

[rmanbike]

First, not sure why he would even want to turn it off, uses so little power. Or you could just keep it upside down. Have the power button on top.

 

[Twesyd]

I have to use the power button on my iMac Pro almost everyday. I used the Energy Saver to shut down at night and start up in the morning. Starting with OS 13.x that access was cut but the settings still function, sometimes, frequently with an error report. I can’t cancel the settings and I can’t alter them. The problem still persists with OS 15.1.

If this behavior transferred through a migration then I’d be stuck reaching around the mini nearly every day to use it.

 

[ILoveCalvinCool]

I have to use the power button on my iMac Pro almost everyday. I used the Energy Saver to shut down at night and start up in the morning. Starting with OS 13.x that access was cut but the settings still function, sometimes, frequently with an error report. I can’t cancel the settings and I can’t alter them. The problem still persists with OS 15.1.

If this behavior transferred through a migration then I’d be stuck reaching around the mini nearly every day to use it.

That behavior doesn't even exist in a Mini. You are literally complaining that an old feature that Apple removed from Macs, and will definitely not be present in new Minis, would not work if it were in a new Mini that was not designed for it. I can't use my pile of 3.5" floppy disks with the new Mini either, but that's OK because I don't use 3.5" floppies anymore.

 

[Twesyd]

That behavior doesn't even exist in a Mini. You are literally complaining that an old feature that Apple removed from Macs, and will definitely not be present in new Minis, would not work if it were in a new Mini that was not designed for it. I can't use my pile of 3.5" floppy disks with the new Mini either, but that's OK because I don't use 3.5" floppies anymore.

I wasn’t complaining, just commenting. Thanks for the information. Since I haven’t had the chance to live with a newer Mac, I was unaware that it was a non-issue. Good to know that it won’t be an issue with a future purchase And migration.

 

[Anaxarxes]

people still talking about that you don't need the power button et all - might be true but you will still need it though rarely.

Apple is just following a decent UX design.

The power button of the mini is there for one hand operation of turning on/off the computer. Of course it also benefits the cleanliness of the design, but for a product this small you cannot place the button anywhere better to turn it on with one hand.

Similarly the power button of the iMac is on the right bottom corner on the back - again one handed operation.

For heavier products such as Mac Pro this is a non issue.

 

[Alameda]

I wonder would it power on with press of the touchID key on Magic Keyboard. That would be handy.
I have just realised/remembered my Studio display has no power button - never go looking for it. Also had to have a peer around the M2 mini to check/remember if/where it had a power button. I wonder if Apple have usage stats on how often power buttons are used and that affected their placement decision?

I think you can just press any key you want, right?

 

[Populus]

At first, I didn’t believe it. I genuinely thought it was an exaggeration by people with thick fingers/hands. But after viewing MKBHDs review… Why Apple? Why…?

Now, if someone with an Apple Silicon Mac mini or Mac Studio and a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID could confirm or deny if it is possible to boot up (not wake up) the Mac from the keyboard, either pressing any key like on the MacBooks or pressing the Touch ID button, that would eliminate the need to use that button for me. (@agregson)

Thank you!