Apple explains why the Mac mini button is on the bottom

While it is most common that we never have to turn off a Mac, the decision to place the power button of the new Mac mini at the bottom has drawn attention since its launch. There had to be a reason, and two senior Apple executives, Greg Joswiak and John Ternus, explain why in a new interview.

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“I don’t even remember the last time I turned on a Mac”

Published on Bilibili and reported by the media outlet ITHome (via 9to5mac), Ternus and Joswiak explain that this change is due to the drastic reduction in the size of the Mac mini, which now takes up half the space of its predecessor —in addition to being carbon neutral.

“We have reduced its size so much that we need to place the power button in the most suitable location,” explains Ternus. With the new design, “the button is easily accessible, just slide your finger on the bottom of the device and tap the button.”

In the same interview, Apple executives reminded us that we practically never use the power button on a Mac on a daily basis. As Joswiak points out, most users rarely turn off their devices, as the Mac goes to sleep when we are not using it. “Personally, I don’t even remember the last time I turned on a Mac,” he adds.

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Although the reason for the decision comes from the change in size, this new position of the button makes it clear and reinforces the message that it is not necessary to turn off any Mac. One less step when we finish using it and one less step when we resume our activity.