Mac Mini 2018 - Possible to have USB powered on when computer off??

Question

Level 1

4 points

Mac Mini 2018 - Possible to have USB powered on when computer off??

Hi all,

I'm running Catalina 10.15.4.

Is it possible to have the USB powered on even if the computer itself is off? I know some Windows computers can do this.

Reason being, I use a monitor that requires power from the Mini's USB connection so that I can use the monitors USB connections. I don't know why it doesn't power from the plug nor if this is standard, but that's the issue w/ my monitor.

My Mini is my personal computer and I use the monitor for both work and personal. I don't want to leave the Mini on 24/7 so was hoping there's some "switch" i can turn so that the USB ports will be powered on, even when the Mini is off.

I guess I have 2 questions:

Is there a way to have the Mini's USB powered on, even if the Mini is turned off (not sleep or hibernate, but OFF)
Can I just leave it on sleep/hibernate 24/7? That would solve my problem, but I dont' know if that'll damage the Mini after a long time period like 24/7, 365 days/year, etc

Thank you all in advance!

Tri

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 16, 2020 7:31 PM

Reply

Answer 1

K Shaffer

Level 8

36,016 points

May 16, 2020 8:07 PM in response to tri

For my desktop macs, I use powered USB hubs; with extension cable, to keep the multiple ports in reach.

Also have and use UPS (apc, tripplite, etc) with battery backup w/ automatic power regulation; it steps in.

A product which requires USB power, should find support by separate power supply; these can be useful

and sometimes an earlier model unit can be adequate. So long as actual demand is satisfied by output.

My older G4 Mac mini 1.5GHz PPC model (late 2005) often stays on, allowed to sleep, for up to 200 days.

The stability of Leopard 10.5.8 is fairly good; while this mac mini has limited RAM resources, is maxxed.

While newer Late 2012 i7 4-core 2.3GHz Mac mini (server) runs three macOS, two 1-TB HDD; w/ 2-partitions ea.

Also I use extra USB powered hubs for either of my two MacBooks; early 2006 MB1.1, and Mid-2012 MB/Pro.

And all my macs have backups; a few clones, and Time Machine backups on external HD.

Can't say as my reply actually answers anything here; however it helps to have more hardware and backups.

Good luck & happy trails!🌻🌤

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

91,468 points

May 16, 2020 7:50 PM in response to tri

tri wrote:

I guess I have 2 questions:

1 Is there a way to have the Mini's USB powered on, even if the Mini is turned off (not sleep or hibernate, but OFF)

2 Can I just leave it on sleep/hibernate 24/7? That would solve my problem, but I dont' know if that'll damage the Mini after a long time period like 24/7, 365 days/year, etc

No.
Yes. All of my Mac Mini's Sleep 24-7 and to be perfectly honest, I feel that it is much easier on the hardware than shutting down and cold starting them over and over.

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Answer 3

tri Author

Level 1

4 points

May 16, 2020 9:21 PM in response to QuickPost

Hi QuickPost,

Thanks for the reply. I think you misunderstood me. I probably wasn't being clear.

What I meant to say is: Is it possible to have the Mini USB ports be powered on (so I can charge my iphone for instance or in this case, power the USB ports on my monitor) even if the Mini itself is turned off. That make sense??

Anyhow, I believe den.thed below has answered my question. Thanks though.

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Answer 4

QuickPost

Level 10

103,437 points

May 16, 2020 7:35 PM in response to tri

Hello,

Mac mini cannot be powered from USB.

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Mac Mini 2018 - Possible to have USB powered on when computer off??

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