Mac mini Power Button
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Apple's decision to place the M4 Mac mini's power button on the bottom has been questioned by users. In some cases, they have come up with their own “solutions” to the problem.
The M4 Mac mini was hailed by critics, making the already small Mac even smaller. To achieve that size, some compromises had to be made, and that resulted in the awkward placement of the power button.
Instead of the button being on the back, it's located at the corner of the Mac mini's body. It's positioned so that you have to lift or tilt the Mac mini to access it, which can be awkward for people with large fingers.
This isn't seen as a problem by Apple. In an interview, senior vice president of worldwide marketing Greg Joswiak and senior vice president of hardware engineering John Ternus both believed that access was still easy.
Despite this, it’s still not an issue for them. “To be honest, most people almost never use the power button on a Mac,” they commented.
While this is true, since most users habitually put their Mac mini to sleep rather than shut it down, there are still times when the button needs to be pressed.
Homebrew Fixes
The problem with the poorly placed button has led to inventive Mac users coming up with alternative ways to press the pressed control, ideally without having to pick up the Mac mini in the first place.
One early example of a fix, previously reported by AppleInsider, was Ivan Kuleshov, who created a 3D-printed seesaw that converts pressing down on a pad next to the Mac mini into pressing up with a tool.
The power switch for the new Mac mini – image courtesy of Ivan Kuleshov
Kuleshov didn't stop there, as a second, more complex design was proposed. The idea, presented in X, was to create a large plate with soft pads on which the Mac mini would rest.
One more thing.
A solution for turning on the Mac mini by simply pressing on it.
The soft pads will have to be chosen depending on the weight of the Mac mini and the force required to press the button. pic.twitter.com/HQcEXu05L4— Ivan Kuleshov (@Merocle) October 30, 2024
The key to the design is a small knot on the side, meant to align with the power button. The idea is that instead of pressing the button, the user presses on the Mac mini itself, which in turn presses on the knot with the button.
Another X user, @Shapoco, came up with another swing design, but with a distinct difference. Instead of being placed underneath the Mac mini and on the side, it's designed to sit on top of the Mac mini.
TL Mac mini pic.twitter.com/cy5OH8VjBU
(@shapoco) November 9, 2024
The dangling part at the other end of the seesaw covers the button on the bottom of the Mac mini. When pressed, the dangling piece rises and depresses the button.
Thingiverse user “gismans” contributed their design for a full Mac mini button concept with a 3D-printable base. The Mac mini, shaped like an X, sits on top, and one of his hands presses the power button when you press the Mac mini itself.
Meanwhile, over on Makerworld, user “danielha2058” offers another seesaw design, but this time one that's completely covered. The button on top presses down on a closed rod, which depresses the button.
One design by gismans [left] and another by danielha2058 [right] – Image credit: Thingiverse, Makerworld
Of course, you don't have to go the route of 3D printing something to fix it. You could always use Lego.
Reddit user “u/Warvanov” posted images of a Lego Technic contraption consisting of a stand and a red button above a Mac mini. Pressing the button moves a piece inside the base, which depresses the button.
Lego Technic Solution – Image Credit: u/Warvanov on Reddit
While the power button drama has some people furious, it has at least allowed some well-intentioned people to come up with some neat solutions to a problem that's blown out of proportion. It also shows that there are plenty of ways to solve this problem.
Sure, a well-placed and well-sized piece of Blu-Tack or a rock under the button could work just as well, as long as you're willing to tilt the Mac mini slightly to press the button. But it's much more fun to come up with a more creative solution.
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