My main gripe with small things connected to other things is that they get dragged when a cord is pulled (for whatever reason). My M1 Mini is a good size, and doesn't quite suffer those indignities, but it does sometimes move on my table when a cord is pulled. I get the miniaturization trend, but maybe it's too small?

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High on a threshold yearning to sing
Down with the dancers having one last fling

Perhaps someone can release a weight to strap to the bottom

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Maybe it cuts down on freight costs?

velcro

I have a rubber foot on my previous-gen Mini, probably got from OWC years ago. Keeps that doggie sitting where I put 'im.

Powerful magnet under the desk.

The volume of the previous mini is 83cu. in.

The m4 is 50cu. in.

Both of those measurements are without packaging, but the product size suggests Apple can ship more of the smaller mini on a pallet than the previous model.

Something they didn't really *need* to do is put the power button on the bottom, but they decided they *wanted* it there.

The new mini is about a pound lighter so the tail wagging the dog thing might be a thing.

I have a 2012 and need to use the power button more than I like.

Even with heavy cords plugged into it, I have to hold it in place while I press the power button.

That would definitely be worse with the m4, not necessarily a deal breaker, but worse.

That might be a reason Apple put it on the bottom.

Tilting it to press the button with finger and thumb would be easy enough and suit Apple reason(s) whatever it/they might be.

With ports on the front, plugging and unplugging anything would require momentarily holding any mini in place anyway.

I think it's still a poor design choice, unlike the Magic Mouse Nightmare, which really was nothing.

It's been suggested that it was placed on the bottom to encourage users to sleep the mini and not shut it down.

Maybe.

I believe the main purpose of putting the MM's charge port on the bottom was to encourage the adoption of a wireless universe, whereas I think the power button thing was to ease assembly and disassembly.

Annoyed or not, we will improvise, adapt, and overcome.

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I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Can it operate "upside down"? Or maybe everyone is just orienting it wrong, and that's the top.

Quote
GGD
Can it operate "upside down"? Or maybe everyone is just orienting it wrong, and that's the top.

Orientation sensors. Will void the warranty.

Can it operate "upside down"?


I suggested that earlier and don't think there's a functional reason not to, though there could be a unique situation that would preclude it.

With a 5x5' rubber pad, it would also stay in place better.

What could work even better is the 'sticky' pad made of micro-suction cups.

Last I looked, it was a tad pricey.

Given the m4's light weight and the small surface area of the base, I'd think a basic non-slip would be of limited help.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

My wife's (2014?) Mini sits on its side vertically in a little plastic file rack; doesn't move, and the ports are all accessible on the open side, where you can see them.

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"Hillbilly at Harvard"
Honky-tonk Country and Bluegrass
Founded in 1948 by Pappy Ben Minnich
Saturdays 9am - 11am Eastern
WHRB-FM, Cambridge, MA
Streaming at [www.WHRB.org]
Be there!
The HAH weblog: [hillbillyatharvard.wordpress.com]

Topical weblog: [walkingcreekworld.wordpress.com]

On the river in Saxonville.

RAM,

There are a slew of stands out there for the Studio. No doubt, there will be a bunch of them for the Mac Mini M4, too. Lots of options for those who don't want to spend the bucks on a stand.

Sticky pads like the ones people put on the dash of their car to keep glasses from sliding around. A couple of command strips (standard or velcro). Stick-on rubber feet.

Actually, now that I think about it, a 3/4" piece of wood cut to size with a sticky pad or rubber feet on the top and bottom of it would do the job. Keeps the mini from moving around and raises it up to make the power button easily accessible.

Robert



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2024 07:29AM by Robert M.

Quote
Robert M
Actually, now that I think about it, a 3/4" piece of wood cut to size with a sticky pad or rubber feet on the top and bottom of it would do the job. Keeps the mini from moving around and raises it up to make the power button easily accessible.

When (or perhaps if) I get one, I'll likely use a microwave-safe bowl turned upside down as a stand. Some adhesive if necessary, but mainly I'd be elevating it for easier Wifi and Bluetooth. The antennas are on the bottom so the existing raised design not only helps with ventilation but also helps to distance the antennas from the metal case.

The moisture content in wood absorbs microwaves so I'd use a microwave-safe (i.e. doesn't absorb or reflect) material.

I'm hoping that the new design will provide better Bluetooth range with less interference from the USB 3 noise leakage.

Like some others here, I think the small size is to minimize the environmental impact and cost in materials, packaging, storage, and distribution.

Aside from not having the bulk and weight to connect the cables without movement, the only downside I can see is that the small size means a smaller internal fan. I'm not worried about airflow but a larger fan can be quieter for the same airflow. My concern is a small one though since the power efficiency is so good, the existing small fan is rarely needed to run at full speed

.

Quote
special
velcro

Nah!! duct tape.

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Ed (modelamac)

Trying to figure out some people is like trying to smell the number 9.

We'll know it's indeed too small when they add the disclaimer "do not eat."

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Quote
M A V I C
We'll know it's indeed too small when they add the disclaimer "do not eat."

"Caution! Choking hazard."

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Black

Quote
GGD
Can it operate "upside down"? Or maybe everyone is just orienting it wrong, and that's the top.

Orientation sensors. Will void the warranty.

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!#$@@$#!

Nolite manducare flavo.