Interesting that the only time I need to reboot my M1 mini using the power button is after a power grid failure (so, only a few times a year). All other reboots for system updates, etc., are done via the OS. From my perspective, the unorthodox placement of the power button exemplifies how user-friendly and stable the current Apple hardware/software platform is. Walled garden benefit, for sure, but I'll take it. For now.
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It's official. You have to lift up the mini to turn it on
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Thanks! I'm a geezer, so never know that was a thing!
It has long been a tradition among technology engineers to hide important stuff like switches, power ports and the like in inaccessible places. HP, particularly, had a habit of hiding the power switch in a new place for every new model of printer.
The only solution is to bring back the Big Red Switch, as found on the IBM PC Model 70, and stick it on the D*MM front!!!.
It is rumoured that the engineer who designed this had his mechanical drawing pencil ceremoniously broken for breaking the sacred tradition of hiding all the good bits...
Mebbe some could come up with an image of a Mac Mini with a Big Red Switch on the front.
The only solution is to bring back the Big Red Switch, as found on the IBM PC Model 70, and stick it on the D*MM front!!!.
It is rumoured that the engineer who designed this had his mechanical drawing pencil ceremoniously broken for breaking the sacred tradition of hiding all the good bits...
Mebbe some could come up with an image of a Mac Mini with a Big Red Switch on the front.
complaining is 1 thing, but calling this a disaster?? as I said, if this is a disaster for you, don't buy one.
While it would be annoying to have to lift the machine to turn it on every day, are many people really doing that anymore? These machines draw so little power at idle and are relatively stable, so most people should really only need to get to the power button a handful of times over the machine's lifetime.
It is not the end of the world, however it is just dumb/stupid design which makes the Mac mini less user friendly. Put the power button on the front where it belongs.
Why not put the mini upside down? Its not like there are moving parts anymore...
Ever give a deeper thought why they positioned it there?
Ideally, the power button should've been on the back. But it's not the end of the world. I'm amazed at how tiny it is, and it looks like it'd make a great portable Mac to take everywhere.
I average about twice a year touching the power button on my Mac mini so I’ll be able to manage this new power button😂
I agree with OP. It's ridiculous. Not everyone wants to keep their Mac on 100% of the time.
That’s not a good design decision 🤦♂️
I literally turn my computers off once or twice a quarter, if that.
Would be a non-issue for me.
Would be a non-issue for me.
I see this being a problem for people who have the Mac mini mounted, say, on the back of a screen or in a rack. Imagine having to slide the mini out of its mount to turn it back on, for example. Questionable design.
No, but the choices Apple is making might lead them down a disastrous path.
Or just mount it with enough space to slip your finger under it? It's not like you're going to be reusing the mount from an old Mini, so just get an appropriate mount when you set it up.
Place the new Mini on its top, so the bottom is always exposed. It will probably help the fan too.
It’s of course not a disaster. But imho it is a design fail.
A button on the underside of a machine.
Besides that I think the new Mini is an awesome Mac.
A button on the underside of a machine.
Besides that I think the new Mini is an awesome Mac.
Yeah, such a huge issue.
Although, if you kind folks hadn't pointed this out, I might have spent quite a while trying to figure other how to turn it on. Thanks!
Although, if you kind folks hadn't pointed this out, I might have spent quite a while trying to figure other how to turn it on. Thanks!
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What a disaster, this post, not the mini!
“Hey, Tim!”
”What is it, master designer of the Mac mini power button?”
”If I put the power button on the bottom and people have to lift the mini to turn it on about once a month or so, we’ll get tons of press from YouTubers, Apple Haters, and thousands of posts talking about Apple for the 10-12 years if we use this design. Do you approve?”
”Approved. It worked for the rechargeable Magic Mouse, didn’t it?”
(USB-C mouse designer enters and immediately leaves the room.)
”What is it, master designer of the Mac mini power button?”
”If I put the power button on the bottom and people have to lift the mini to turn it on about once a month or so, we’ll get tons of press from YouTubers, Apple Haters, and thousands of posts talking about Apple for the 10-12 years if we use this design. Do you approve?”
”Approved. It worked for the rechargeable Magic Mouse, didn’t it?”
(USB-C mouse designer enters and immediately leaves the room.)