New Mac mini power button location; workarounds?

There are several solutions to help with that.

1) The Mac mini is fine on its side.

2) Purchase an after-market Mac mini stand.

3) Put some self-sticking rubber feet on the bottom.

4) Leave the Mac mini on and only allow the displays to turn off.

Set the Mac mini to start on power-up, and use a remote power switch.

Here is another recent similar discussion of power switch placement: Mac Studio/mini on/off switch placement &… - Apple Community

There are all sorts of mounting options: https://www.imore.com/best-mounts-mac-mini including adhesive feet and mechanical adjuncts.

You can send Apple feedback here, too: Feedback - Mac mini - Apple

I can understand the frustration with the button placement, especially if you regularly power the Mini completely off.

The good news is that using the Mac mini on its side is generally fine. There isn't a requirement that it has to remain flat on the desk. I'd just make sure the ventilation isn't blocked and that the Mini is sitting securely so it can't fall over.

Another simple workaround is to raise the Mini slightly with a stand or suitable feet/spacers. That gives you enough clearance to reach underneath the rear corner without having to move the computer every time.

I would not recommend running it upside down as a permanent solution, since the enclosure is designed with its normal orientation in mind for airflow and heat dissipation.

Also, you shouldn't normally need the physical power button very often. macOS is designed to stay on and go to sleep, and you can shut it down from the Apple menu when necessary. The physical button is mainly useful for starting it when it's powered off or dealing with a system that isn't responding.

Personally, I'd go with a small stand that raises the Mini off the desk. It solves the accessibility problem without changing its intended orientation.

Hi

I just got a Mini M4 and i also bought the UGREEN Mac Mini M4 Dock with DisplayPort, 8K@120Hz/4K@240Hz Max Display as it has external NVME slot in it -the M4 Mini storage of 512GB is not enough - it also makes the power button accessable although that was not the main reason for buying - there other types of docks available at different prices

I keep my M4 Mac Mini Pro on its side with the bottom facing left for an easy reach to the power button. It would seem that everyone but Apple understands where the power button should be… and no one here among your fellow users can explain Apple's decision.

Do not put the mini on its side.

You are making a ridiculous mountain out of a molehill as it is simplicity itself to tilt the back of the mini slightly to access the button.

If tilting the mini is too difficult for you, try this quick and free solution to raise your mini permanently. It may also help with air circulation.

Video:- Free Solution for Mini Power Button

As I said originally, it is a ridiculous complaint.

It takes no effort or time to tilt the rear left corner an inch to access the power button.

Furthermore it is engineeringly unsound to have the mini on its side as the fan was designed to work in a horizontal position not vertical and the fan is on constantly at 1,000rpm.

I don't know whether it will cause any excessive wear but it is just bad practise.

There are 3D printable solutions if you have access to a 3D printer.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/744386-new-mac-mini-s-top-power-button#profileId-677132

I tried one of the workarounds from Amazon.com (a plastic item) and it was a complete failure. It was so cheaply made that I got my money back without having to retune it.

What I did find is this:

It's very cheap to obtain (Amazon.com) and works extremely well. Ir raises up the Mini so the Power button is easily reached. When I asked someone behind the Genius Bar they said it would probably aid in the cooling of the Mini.

All the “workarounds” presented here are hilarious kludges for a decision made by Apple designers. You have 14 days from the date of purchased to return that Mini for a full refund, no questions asked if you can’t deal with it.

This controversy started over year ago and I put it right up there with the Magic Mouse haters spewing vitriol about the charging port being on the bottom of there mouse so you can’t charge and use at the same time.

Likely not get censored but Apple Support does not participate in nor monitor these user forums. We’re all just fellow users like yourself. You should submit Feedback to Apple abut this. If enough feedback is sent and enough units are returned for refunds that will likely get Apple’s attention.

Feedback - Mac mini - Apple

Sometimes design decisions trump useabiity

Let me begin by saying that I am not an Apple fanboy. In fact I am probably amongst its greatest critics over the last 20 years as anyone familiar with my posts can attest.

I certainly have asked "why" but have not received any answers. Could it be that the confined internal configuration made that the only viable position or was it simply that Apple goes overboard to make its products sleek, with all vulgar items such as knobs, sockets and buttons secreted away?

I'm sure it was not put there accidentally by some engineering ignoramus.

I assume you watched the short video I posted showing how the lid of a coffee jar etc. can "cure" the problem.

Well here's a short (35 second) clip I made at the beginning of the year describing the terrible problems created by this positioning decision.

Power Button Placement!

I wouldn't worry about Thunderbolt unless you are an overworked professional video editor etc. where time equates to money and the last ounce of speed matters.

USB-C is plenty fast enough for most things on a Mac . . . it is more than fast enough for editing 4K video and pretty well anything else you are likely to throw at it.