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Apple's new Mac Mini is a tiny powerhouse of a computer. It's a 5″ x 5″ x 2″ computer that supports up to an Apple M4 Pro processor, Thunderbolt 5, and 10 GbE LAN ports. But Apple made at least one strange decision with this little computer: the company put the power button on the bottom, where it's almost impossible to reach without lifting the Mac Mini.

That's not much of a problem if you're the sort of person who almost always puts your computer to sleep instead of powering it off. But if you do want a power button that you can actually reach, a new Mac Mini enclosure from ZEERA may scratch that itch. But that's just one of the things that makes the ZEERA MacForge enclosure interesting.

The enclosure is basically an aluminum case that looks like a tiny Mac Pro, complete with handles on the top and a series of holes on the front and back that sort of resemble the "cheese grater" look of Apple's Mac Pro systems.

ZEERA calls this a cooling case for the Mac Mini, because it positions the mini PC vertically, which means that instead of having a fan on the bottom that faces your desk or tabletop, the fan is positioned sideways, which should make it help it move air more efficiently.

By standing the Mac Mini vertically, the power button is also no longer on the bottom. The button is blocked by the MacForge case though, so ZEERA included a small button in the side of the case that presses the power button when you push on it.

The case has a list price of $160, but it's currently up for pre-order for $130, and ZEERA says it should begin shipping December 31, 2024.

If that price feels a bit steep, you could 3D print your own Mac Pro Mini-style case if you've got the supplies to do that, but it's nice to have the option of purchasing a pre-built model made from aluminum.

via The Verge and NotebookCheck

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