Apple Executives Discuss the Mac mini’s ‘Hidden’ Power Button
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Apple recently released its 2024 Mac mini. The new budget-priced yet quite powerful Mac has several new features that most observers appreciated —and at least one that many did not.
The new Mac mini’s power button is on the underside of the computer, which some say is like placing an automobile’s ignition button on the underside of the vehicle (okay, it was me who said that).
Two of Apple’s well-known senior vice presidents, worldwide marketing boss Greg Joswiak and hardware chief John Ternus, sat down to discuss the Mac mini with IThome. The executives did not ignore the furor caused by the new Mac’s power button placement.
The most significant change in the new Mac mini is its size. It is closer to the size of the Apple TV set-top box than to any previous Mac mini models. The M4 Mac mini now measures 5 inches square, compared to 3.66 x 3.66 inches for the third-generation Apple TV 4K or 3.9 x 3.9 inches for the second-generation model.
While the redesign makes it easier to make space for the Mac mini on a crowded desk, it presented some design challenges to Apple’s designers. Not the least of which was where to put the power button.
In previous Mac mini models, the power button was located on the back of the computer. It was positioned near the bottom right-hand corner, near the mini’s ports and connectors. In most cases, this made it easier to press the button without moving the computer.
Joswiak and Ternus told IThome that the Mac mini’s compact form factor still makes it easy to access the button by tucking a finger underneath to press it. They also remarked, “Honestly, most people almost never use the power button on a Mac.”
While that may sound like a cop-out to some, I will admit that in the three or so years I’ve had my M1 Mac mini, I have maybe pressed the power button 10 times in total, and a couple of those presses were because I moved my mini to another location.
Many Mac owners rarely power off their devices completely, instead placing them into sleep mode. So, fiddling with the power button isn’t a daily, weekly, or even monthly task for most Mac mini users.
As you might expect, the Mac user community has responded to the perceived issue with the design change involving the power button. Engineer Ivan Kuleshov created a 3D-printed lever mechanism that allows users to press the power button without lifting the Mac mini.
The Mac community has responded with innovative solutions to this design change. For instance, as reported by AppleInsider, engineer Ivan Kuleshov created a 3D-printed lever to allow users to press the power button without lifting the Mac mini. Of course, I could see some issues with possibly sitting something on your desk near the Mac mini and inadvertently shutting the computer down by placing it on the lever, so…
Apple is known for making design choices that push the boundaries, and the Mac mini is no different. However, users will likely forget the power button placement for the Mac mini — well, at least until they need to power their mini on or off.
