×
Photo via AppleNext

Apple Explains the Unusual Placement of the Mac Mini's Power Button

100% reliable
7 mins
9.78K views
Mac
  • Apple moved the Mac Mini's power button to the bottom—wait, what?
  • The tiny Mac Mini has a secret underneath; Apple's execs explain.
  • Curious about the Mac Mini's awkward power button? So were we.

Apple's new M4-powered Mac mini has been turning heads with its impressive performance and remarkably compact design. However, one aspect has left many users scratching their heads: Why is the power button located on the underside of the device?Apple's new M4 Mac mini, announced in late October 2024, has Apple fans scratching their heads for its unusual power button placement.Photo via Apple // Apple's new M4 Mac mini, announced in late October 2024, has Apple fans scratching their heads for its unusual power button placement.

In a recent interview with a Chinese content creator on Bilibili, Apple VPs Greg Joswiak and John Ternus addressed this very question. According to a machine-translated report by ITHome, the executives explained that the primary reason for placing the power button on the bottom is the Mac mini's significantly reduced size. Joswiak mentioned that the underside was "kind of the optimal spot for a power button" due to the device being nearly half the size of its predecessor.

You pretty much never use the power button on your Mac.— Apple VP Greg Joswiak

Joswiak suggests that most users keep their Macs in sleep mode rather than powering them off completely.Apple's new M4 Mac mini, showcasing the fan intake vents and power button located on the bottom of the mini computer.Photo via Apple // Apple's new M4 Mac mini, showcasing the fan intake vents and power button located on the bottom of the mini computer.

The new Mac mini measures just 5 x 5 x 2 inches, a substantial reduction from the previous generation's 7.75 x 7.75 x 1.4 inches. This shrink in size undoubtedly contributes to its sleek appearance and the convenience of saving desk space. However, the placement of the power button means that to turn the device on, users have to reach around and slightly lift the unit—an awkward maneuver, especially if you're in a hurry. Will this be enough to make it onto our list of the top 10 most controversial Apple designs? Time will tell!

I can't help but feel that while the minimalist design is aesthetically pleasing, practicality has taken a backseat here. Personally, I like having easy access to the power button, even if I don't use it every day. It's one of those small conveniences that you don't appreciate until it's gone.

Despite this quirk, the Mac mini remains a powerhouse. The base model starts at $599 and boasts a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. There's also an M4 Pro configuration available starting at $1,399 for those needing even more performance.The bottom of Apple's new M4 Mac mini, displaying its power button which is now located on the bottom.Photo via Mr. Macintosh // The bottom of Apple's new M4 Mac mini, displaying its power button which is now located on the bottom.

Apple has pointed out that essential ports like Thunderbolt 5 and HDMI are still easily accessible, which is certainly a relief. And let's be honest, the vast majority of us probably won't find the power button's location to be a deal-breaker. Some inventive users have even started mounting their Mac minis under their desks to make the power button more accessible.

At the end of the day, the M4 Mac mini offers incredible value and performance in a tiny package. While the power button placement might be a minor annoyance, it's a small price to pay for what you're getting. As someone who appreciates both form and function, I hope future iterations find a way to blend the two a bit more seamlessly.

Recommended by the editors:

Thank you for visiting Apple Scoop! As a dedicated independent news organization, we strive to deliver the latest updates and in-depth journalism on everything Apple. Have insights or thoughts to share? Drop a comment below—our team actively engages with and responds to our community. Return to the home page.
Stories related to Mac

100+ Best Free Apple Logo Wallpapers for iPhone, iPad and Mac

100% reliable6 mins

MacBook Air OLED Model Delayed Until After 2027, Says Report

60% reliable8 mins

How Did Apple Get So Big?

100% reliable14 mins

100+ Best Free Wallpapers for M4 Apple iMac

100% reliable6 mins

From Icon to Obsolete: What Happened to Apple iTunes?

100% reliable12 mins

Apple Prepares 'Totally Redesigned' MacBook Pro Slated for 2026

66% reliable10 mins

What Is Steve Jobs' NeXT? Inside the 'Failure' That Reinvented Apple

100% reliable12 mins

The Original Macintosh: How Apple's Vision Changed Technology Forever

100% reliable14 mins

From the Brink of Bankruptcy to Almost $4 Trillion: How Apple Did It

100% reliable15 mins

Apple's New Smart Home Display Rumored to Launch in 2025

59% reliable9 mins

Apple M4 Pro and M4 Max Chips: Early Benchmark Scores Leak Online

77% reliable8 mins

Apple's M5 Chipset: Release Date, Rumors, Features, and More

62% reliable9 mins

Apple’s M4 MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Mini: Price, Release Date, and Key Features

100% reliable12 mins

Apple M4 vs. M4 Pro vs. M4 Max: Everything You Need to Know

100% reliable11 mins

100+ Free 4K Wallpapers for Apple M3 and M4 MacBook Pro – Download Now

100% reliable6 mins

M4 MacBook Pro: 10 New Features You Should Know

100% reliable10 mins

M4 MacBook Pro: Everything You Need to Know

100% reliable13 mins

Watch: Apple Reveals New M4 MacBook Pro Keynote

100% reliable9 mins

Apple M4 MacBook Pro: Release Date, Pre-Order Date, Specs, Colors, Features, and Pricing

100% reliable11 mins

100+ Free 4K Wallpapers for Apple M2 and M3 MacBook Air – Download Now

100% reliable6 mins
More stories

Apple’s First Smart Home Display Rumored for 2025 Release

59% reliable8 mins

Apple Reportedly Developing Smart Home Camera for 2026 Launch

58% reliable8 mins

iPhone 16 Only Costs Apple $416 To Manufacture

84% reliable7 mins

iPhone 17 Latest Rumors: Release Date, Camera Upgrades, Slim Model, and More

65% reliable13 mins

Android 16 Rumors: Release Date, New Features, Leaks, and More

71% reliable8 mins

15 Fascinating Facts About NVIDIA

100% reliable13 mins

100+ Best Free Wallpapers for iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max

100% reliable84 mins

Apple's iPhone 17 Air May Not Be as Thin as Anticipated

64% reliable7 mins

iPad 11 Rumors: Release Date, Colors, Pricing, and More

67% reliable9 mins

Apple CarPlay vs. Android Auto: A Head-to-Head Comparison

100% reliable13 mins

100+ Best Free Apple Logo Wallpapers for iPhone, iPad and Mac

100% reliable100 mins

iPhone 17 Air Rumors: Release Date, Design, Camera, Pricing, and More

66% reliable12 mins


More stories
Looking for the perfect wallpaper?
Explore thousands of free, high-quality wallpapers from Apple Scoop, specially crafted for your Apple devices.

Gradient

Apple

4K

HD

Landscape

Beach

Marble

Space

City

Pattern

Sunset

Ocean

Moon

Architecture

Quote




More wallpapers