Apple hid the Mac Mini M4's power button

Apple announced its Mac Mini M4 with a redesigned designinspired by Mac Studio, the manufacturer's workstation. The result: the Mac Mini M4 is truly tiny, with a volume of 0.8 liters and a footprint half the size of its predecessor.

A Magic Mouse effect

Mac Mini users remember the positioning of the power button, perfectly integrated into the rear right corner of the case. The surface of this button exactly matched the radius of curvature of the case, for the most discreet integration.

Personally, I always wondered why Apple took so much care in integrating this button, going so far as to take the exact angle of the aluminum chassis. Why not just place it on a flat surface?

A start button under the case

Finally, Apple moved the Mac Mini M4's power button by placing it… under the case. You will therefore have to lift the Mac Mini each time you want to start it, as shown in the brand's promotional video at 28 seconds in the tweet below.

Too little interior space

We can legitimately wonder how the brand was able to arrive at such a decision. Apple is known for optimizing the user experience, putting thought into every interaction. The only plausible explanation probably comes from the extremely reduced space inside the chassis, which, remember, went from 1.36 liters to 0.8 liters, a reduction of almost 41%.

Users will now have to acquire the reflex of pressing under the lower left corner of their Mac Mini to turn it on. A good way to avoid inappropriate support, say the brand's defenders.