Apple has revealed why the power button is located at the bottom of its 2024 Mac mini, a move that raised questions among users. Two senior vice presidents, Greg Joswiak and John Ternus, explained that the design change was made possible by the reduced size of the new device.
The smaller footprint required the placement of the button to maximize usability, with the bottom being the optimal position. According to Apple officials, users typically only need to use the power button when forcing a restart or shutdown, making the bottom location practical for most users.
In an interview, Joswiak and Ternus pointed out that lifting the button is not an issue, as even the top-end variant weighs just 1.6 lbs. They also acknowledged that mounting the Mac mini on the back of a display may pose challenges with the relocated power button.
While Apple did not discuss this installation scenario during the interview, it’s possible that the design change was made without considering how it would affect users who mount the device on a TV or monitor.
Source: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-explains-why-2024-Mac-mini-has-power-button-on-bottom.915221.0.html