Power button placement on Mac Mini M4 and USB audio interfaces in sleep mode

^ Harder on internal components? This is simply not true.

There is absolutely zero impact on internal components. Nor is there any initial power surge. Do you have a source for these theories or is it just thinking out loud?

You can check on the internet for solutions that can have it sit in its side, there by making the button easily available. Or you could come up with some DIY solution of your own with cheap common kitchen or closet racks or if you know someone with a 3D printer, design one for exactly your needs.

seaandnature wrote:

The Mac Mini M4 basically seems like a fine piece of kit, as long as it will able to keep cool under load.

...

Considering we all want to save the planet etc, won't this lead to more people leaving on their audio interfaces, because sleep mode is just more convenient than picking up the Mac Mini M4 to switch it on?

This all rather misses the point that the power switch, even on the M2 mini I have, is awkward to use and seems very fragile, almost an afterthought with little thought. What we need is a decent rocker switch!

varjak paw wrote:

A typical USB-powered audio interface takes less power than the average household LED light bulb. And most modern devices still consume a bit of power even when "shut off". The only way around that for many devices is to disconnect the device completely from AC (which opens up a number of other issues). So what people may think they're doing to conserve power is often a phantom and not really as effective as they believe.

....

Regards.

There must be a PhD waiting for the right student to take that on...

Powering off at the end of a work day is a best practice for cyber security - If the device is off line, it can't be reached. Think of the CloudStrike outrage that took down many airlines and other industries. Any workstations that were powered off when the overnight update was delivered were not impacted. Those left on were bricked by the bad update. There are many bits of software for MacOS that can also update overnight. So, better to power down daily, just as the latest security recommendations recommend daily power cycling your iPhone and iPad. The button placement is cosmetic and less costly to manufacture, but poorly placed.

So how about professional users who rack up their Mini's in portable systems? Many times they are really strapped into the whole system. I cannot personally get my finger under the M4 Mini to turn it on if it were strapped down. I use mine on locations and sometime pushing over rough terrain, so a loose computer is not an option.

The Mac mini is not an audio interface, it is a full fledged desktop computer.

Cycling on/off/on, is harder on internal components and uses more power than just letting it sit in standby/sleep mode.

For anyone really concerned about the issue, here's one person's proposed workaround:

https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/10/31/a-clever-hack-fixes-the-new-mac-mini-power-buttons-awkward-location

I’m going to use M4 mini placing it upside down on my desk. That may also help ventilation?

Turn it turtle and use the Power button easily

Ignore it, lots of similar well-meaning but otherwise unfounded “tips” float here from time to time (have you heard the one about standing the Mac vertical for better WiFi? No? Good.)