I saw the New Mac Mini on display (programming.dev)

submitted 3 weeks ago by the16bitgamer@programming.dev to c/apple_enthusiast@lemmy.world

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I love the idea of it, and I love how tiny it is. Will probably get one when money isn’t so tight.

But I was curious if the power button was accessible without lifting it. And it genuinely isn’t. Why does Apple like shoving important IO and buttons underneath the device. Good thing it’s light?

Oh and a funny thing was the staff had to loosen its mount on the table so you could turn it on.

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[-] navi@lemmy.tespia.org 49 points 3 weeks ago

If the power button location is the biggest issue with this Mac Mini then it'll do just fine.

[-] the16bitgamer@programming.dev 7 points 3 weeks ago

Easily. It's annoying, but if it bugs me that much I could just flip it upside down and put a rubber pad down so the top doesn't get scuffed.

[-] garretble@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago

How often do you turn off your computers?

I feel like “buttongate” is one of the biggest non-issues the internet has gotten riled up with in a while.

[-] Sorse@discuss.tchncs.de 32 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Ever*day?

[-] garretble@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

Really?

I mean, do what you will. No worries either way. But it does surprise me to hear lots of people turn their computers off all the time. I tend to just let them go to sleep and then wake them back up.

[-] GamingChairModel@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

How do you wake a Mac Mini? Is it enough to just press a keyboard button? If so, does the keyboard have to be wired, or does Bluetooth work?

[-] SreudianFlip@sh.itjust.works 9 points 3 weeks ago

Move the mouse or touch the trackpad, or press any key on the keyboard and it wakes up quickly. BT OK.

Many macs that I work on haven't been shut down for months, usually just rebooted after system updates.

Sleep on a mac mini is very low power: if you use the computer every day it’s less energy than booting up.

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[-] folkrav@lemmy.ca 6 points 3 weeks ago

That's beside the point. Dumb design doesn't stop being dumb, even if the consequences are minor. It wouldn't deter me from buying one, but pointing out it's fucking stupid shouldn't be controversial...

[-] navi@lemmy.tespia.org 7 points 3 weeks ago

Saw some cute 3D prints that turn it sideways and turn it into a mini Mac Pro!

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[-] Creat@discuss.tchncs.de 28 points 3 weeks ago

If money is generally more on the tighter side, I honestly can't understand getting a Mac anything. It's many things, but never "frugal". There are always options that do more for less, and maybe look a little less polished.

[-] SreudianFlip@sh.itjust.works 28 points 3 weeks ago

In a lot of cases, especially five years ago, this is correct. Lately, with Apple silicon processors, the low end machines are a good deal. You won't find a NUC with similar low-power performance, capable of 4k video editing without fan noise or a hiccup, at anything close to the same price. It SMOKES the competition at the $600 price bracket.

But yeah, if money is an issue and you're already invested in macOS software, buy a used M1 mini for $300 and you're good, or if really broke, buy an off-lease business desktop for $125 and put linux Mint on it.

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[-] tiramichu@lemm.ee 17 points 3 weeks ago

You can only assume they believe that people won't want to use that button much.

For a lot of people that's surely a mistaken assumption, but in my case it would be pretty true.

I use an old macbook pro from work as my permanent desktop, in a closed configuration under the desk. Sometimes I sleep it, but I don't ever turn it off. I only ever need the power button when something has gone wrong.

But they could have just put the button on the back. Kinda silly.

[-] vinnymac@lemmy.world 11 points 3 weeks ago

I still think the apple should be the power button. Would’ve been a baller move on their part.

[-] KoalaUnknown@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

That would be one more flex cable to deal with when taking it apart so I would prefer it not be there.

[-] RedditRefugee69@lemmynsfw.com 4 points 3 weeks ago

I think Apple customers generally aren't the type to be taking their own computers apart.

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[-] OhStopYellingAtMe@lemmy.world 14 points 3 weeks ago

The power button really isn’t that important anymore. Leave it on, let it sleep. Tap a key on the keyboard and the thing wakes up. Even after a power outage, it’ll power itself back on.

[-] morgunkorn@discuss.tchncs.de 11 points 3 weeks ago

i got one for work and honestly the power button isn't a big deal since the machine usually stays on in sleep mode when i don't need it. an occasional restart does the trick if the system ever feels sluggish but that hasn't happened yet.

once you know where it is, it's easy to instinctively press. there are also 3d printed gizmos that can help if you really prefer a more accessible button:

https://www.printables.com/model/1074723-mac-mini-m4-power-button

[-] michael_palmer@lemmy.sdf.org 10 points 3 weeks ago

Placing the power button on the bottom is a genius move by Apple. It’s inconvenient, sure, but it wouldn't stop a single customer from buying this PC. And just look at how much people are discussing the new Mac Mini, all because of this power button.

[-] brlemworld@lemmy.world 11 points 3 weeks ago

I have a Mac mini and I think I've used the power button one time in the past year.

[-] frunch@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

Did it work though??!

[-] aeronmelon@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago

Don’t get too close or you’ll frighten it.

[-] shinratdr@lemmy.ca 7 points 3 weeks ago

Because Apple design is opinionated. The charge port is on the bottom of the Magic Mouse because they want you to charge it and disconnect the cable rather than leaving it connected all the time and causing the battery to swell. The power button is on the bottom of the Mac mini because they want you to leave it on because it idles at essentially nothing.

People have decades of habits built up from time, and Apple’s designs have choices made to try and break those habits through negative reenforcement.

[-] sebi@lemmy.world 12 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Yes, but what if the mouse could stop its charging cycle depending on its use, so it does not damage its battery. Or what if users could change the function of the power button to an short-press for sleep-button and long-press for power off.

There are better ways to change peoples habits while still maintaining basic functionallities.

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[-] dylanmorgan@slrpnk.net 9 points 3 weeks ago

Battery swelling in lithium ion batteries occurs due to age, not leaving batteries charging. The battery is designed to stop charging between 95-100% and it has a built in processor to do that.

Regarding the power button and leaving the computer turned on, there are multiple reasons someone might want to turn a computer off when they are not actively using it.

[-] shinratdr@lemmy.ca 4 points 3 weeks ago

Yes but it repeatedly discharges and recharges that 5%, which generates heat and causes swelling. I’ve had to repair enough laptops left constantly plugged in to know this is an extremely common issue.

I never said I thought Apple was accounting for every use case here or that it was the best way to achieve this, so you’re arguing with the wrong person. I’m just explaining what they do and why they do it.

[-] dylanmorgan@slrpnk.net 9 points 3 weeks ago

I worked for Apple for 12 years, most of that as a liaison between front line hardware service locations and AppleCare engineering. Battery swelling is a normal Li-ion failure mode that is not related to leaving a device connected to its charger. If Apple had any evidence of that they would decline warranty service on swollen batteries based on the system report of how long it was connected to external power.

The Magic Mouse has the charging port on the bottom because the first gen model used AA batteries and not a built in rechargeable battery. When they moved to the rechargeable battery model, they didn’t want to redesign the whole thing so they put the port on the bottom. It’s bad enough design that Tim Cook uses a Logitech.

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[-] SreudianFlip@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Also because if the cable plugged into the forward edge, leaving the cable in, like 20% of users would, will destroy the charge port before warranty is done.

[-] garretble@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

I have turned mine on once since I got it at launch.

I’m one power button press in the last month with it.

And then it just goes to sleep (and wakes instantly with a button or mouse press).

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[-] fourish@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

The power button thing doesn’t matter. It’s not a PC, you never turn it off.

I love mine. Exactly the solution I was looking for. I was going to get a Mac Studio but it was too expensive and this meets all of my needs for a work desktop.

Mac Studio resale prices around here are just tanking right now.

[-] lud@lemm.ee 4 points 3 weeks ago

The power button thing doesn’t matter. It’s not a PC, you never turn it off

Maybe not but it's just crazy that a company can be so ignorant.

Why do they intentionally place the power button in the absolute worst place imaginable?

[-] fourish@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

The best explanation I’ve heard is they have someone who intentionally makes a subtle yet inconsequential change for internet people to whine about.

[-] GBU_28@lemm.ee 3 points 3 weeks ago

So you don't touch it.

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[-] GBU_28@lemm.ee 5 points 3 weeks ago

They don't want you to press it, only very rarely.

Not saying I agree with that, just they it isn't an oversight.

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[-] Sumocat@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

The real flaw of the M4 Mac Mini power button is that it still needs a power button. There’s no battery or built-in display to merit shutdown, yet it can’t operate like an Apple TV.

[-] makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 weeks ago

I've been using Intel NUCs for years now. So can confirm the form factor is excellent. Combine that with every port imaginable, the NUC has been impressive. Will be interesting to see how the mac compares. Especially if I can put Linux on it.

[-] Telodzrum@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

The Mac Mini has been around for like a decade.

[-] makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml 5 points 3 weeks ago

About 20 years roughly. My mate had one for his TV a long time ago.

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this post was submitted on 30 Nov 2024

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