Apple has made significant strides in compacting its Mac mini design while maintaining powerful internals. Critics have raised concerns about the placement of the power button at the bottom of the chassis, but two Apple executives shed light on their decision-making process.
According to Apple executives Greg Joswiak and John Ternus, the reduced size forced the company to reposition the power button, which now serves as a convenient spot for users. This design choice was made possible by the addition of a second tiny motherboard featuring Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, allowing for optimal use of space.
The Mac mini’s compact design is a testament to Apple’s focus on performance without compromise. The company’s executives emphasized that the power button is still easy to access, and users can simply press their finger into it. Moreover, given Apple’s software design, most users will opt to put their hardware to sleep rather than perform a complete shutdown.
The latest Mac mini model starts at $599 for the base M4 configuration, which includes 16GB unified RAM and 256GB SSD. Amazon has also discounted this model by $50, making it available for $549. The top-end M4 Pro option is now priced at $1,355, compared to its original price of $1,399.
With the Mac mini’s powerful internals and compact design, it’s clear that Apple has made a deliberate choice in its design decisions. While some may criticize the power button placement, it’s essential to consider the bigger picture – a more efficient use of space and an enhanced user experience.
Source: https://wccftech.com/apple-mac-mini-power-button-on-the-bottom-explained-by-executives