Can I use 2018 mac mini placed upside down?

My Mac mini puts out a warm to hot stream of air when being used. As the vent is beneath the wires which are connect to the in, the wires and USB memory sticks have gotten very hot. If I turned the mac mini over, so it is upside down, then the hot air would be coming out above the wires plugged into the back. Will using the Mini in this position damage it in any way? I wold put some rubber feet on the top so it is not flat agains the table and air can pass beneath it when being used.

Posted on Jan 23, 2021 8:40 PM

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babowa

Level 9

78,568 points

Posted on Jan 24, 2021 7:46 AM

If the air is indeed a “hot stream of air”, I would certainly NOT consider any “homemade” types of “fixes”. I do not believe what you describe is normal.

The only way to deal with this is to contact Apple support and have them evaluate the problem. Please do so as soon as possible. They will tell you what is normal and what is not and should provide you with suggestions and/or replace/repair a faulty component. And do not turn it upside down.

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26 replies

babowa

Level 9

78,568 points

Jan 24, 2021 10:29 AM in response to hcsitas

I believe you'd find reading this helpful:

https://discussions.apple.com/terms

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Jan 24, 2021 10:53 AM in response to babowa

I'm familiar with it. Now back to helping the OP and answering his query directly: do you know of a factual reason why the OP can't place Op's mini upside down?

den.thed

Level 10

91,696 points

Jan 24, 2021 11:08 AM in response to hcsitas

Cause the Anti-Matter Stream will blow out the Heisenberg Compensators.

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Jan 24, 2021 11:11 AM in response to den.thed

Hmm. I believe you'd find reading this helpful:

https://discussions.apple.com/terms

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Jan 24, 2021 1:25 PM in response to woodmeister50

So 1/2 inch feet = possible benefit? I think so too.

Jan 25, 2021 4:36 AM in response to hcsitas

Note that in the first link, that under desk mount is made of metal

which themselves will act has heat fins since they extend out

beyond the Mini.

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Jan 25, 2021 4:43 AM in response to woodmeister50

Agree. This too "The cpu is mounted upside down directly behind the base plate. It’s actually optimally cooled like it is.".

Jan 27, 2021 1:53 PM in response to den.thed

How do I monitor the exhaust temperature? The problem began because the unit got very hot when I was migrating 1 TB of data and the unit got very hot.

Jan 27, 2021 2:16 PM in response to woodmeister50

This would solve the problem if I have to put USB sticks into the unit. I am afraid that the heat I felt would cause data loss to them.

Jan 27, 2021 2:28 PM in response to den.thed

Thanks for the good suggestions re fan temp and extension cables/hub for devices.

Jan 27, 2021 2:33 PM in response to woodmeister50

thanks for the app suggestion and suggestions

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Can I use 2018 mac mini placed upside down?