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

Remember you are not asking Apple here but rather other end users like you. We cannot give you an "official" answer to "Why does Apple..." questions. Anyone who knows is likely under a non-disclosure agreement.

The power button for the Mini M4 is on the bottom of the left rear corner, and the unit doesn’t sit flat on the surface it’s placed on. Like the Mac Studio, there is finger space between the bottom of the unit and the surface of a desk, I can easily get my finger under the left rear corner of my Mac Studio.

Should you need to use the power button on the Mini M4, looks like it is possible to get a finger under the unit to reach the power button without having to lift the unit.

I plan on getting a Mini M4 to replace my Mini M1 that’s in another room, but not in a big hurry since I have a Mac Studio.

seaandnature wrote:

Someone on Twitter suggested this:

Hey' I know a few people with two left hands. 😉 😊

Personally I think most folks will be able to slip in an index finger, instead of using some awkward lift and poke pose..

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.

It is true. Plus that initial power surge requires as much power as standby mode for an extended period of time.

No one here is trying to persuade you into changing your ways. If you want to standby or shut down then that is your choice.

Personally I have left all of my various iMac's and Mac mini's in standby mode 24-7 for the 20+ years, and none have ever suffered a hardware failure.

That’s very funny, thanks for posting.

I am left handed and think this is a non issue. For those that disagree, the link varjak paw posted is a very simple solution 👍🏻😁

seaandnature wrote:

"Cycling on/off/on [...] uses more power than just letting it sit in standby/sleep mode."

I have absolutely no idea why this should be true.

Is it true for light bulbs?

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

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.)

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?