Have one. It was bought 12 March 2025. Today it stopped working after a reboot because of a macOS update. Orange LED blinking.... No recovery possible.
Felt wrong when I got it. A smart phone without display that can't make telephone calls. Half of the weight of the previous one, no USB A ports at all (many many devices are USB A), 3.5 mm audio output at the front (WHY?) but worse of all a power switch at the bottom. This stupid design decision made me wanting to skip it but the flesh is weak. I guess my feelings were right, this seems a cheap knockoff of what the Mac Mini used to be and the power button is spitting regular customers in the mouth. Of course I want the thing to shutdown every day, no normal soul leaves stuff powered on for no reason. Why does it otherwise even have a power on/off switch?
It is (was...) fast but so was the previous one. Well does this prove that it is not of the known Apple quality? No it does not but it is the first Mac that dies on me (except the notorious 27" iMac) in such a short time. Less than a month old. Thankfully the M2 still was here.
Felt wrong when I got it. A smart phone without display that can't make telephone calls. Half of the weight of the previous one, no USB A ports at all (many many devices are USB A), 3.5 mm audio output at the front (WHY?) but worse of all a power switch at the bottom. This stupid design decision made me wanting to skip it but the flesh is weak. I guess my feelings were right, this seems a cheap knockoff of what the Mac Mini used to be and the power button is spitting regular customers in the mouth. Of course I want the thing to shutdown every day, no normal soul leaves stuff powered on for no reason. Why does it otherwise even have a power on/off switch?
It is (was...) fast but so was the previous one. Well does this prove that it is not of the known Apple quality? No it does not but it is the first Mac that dies on me (except the notorious 27" iMac) in such a short time. Less than a month old. Thankfully the M2 still was here.
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My garage always tell me that too when my car breaks down and saying so sure does not make mine less kaput 🙂 Yeah will do but still it is the first time that I experience this and for the money they ask they should deliver. The feeling based on what I described is that it possibly just doesn't.
Also I never had any of my Apple computers to not react to recovery attempts and not having any video output. Most could be installed from the web with a formatted/empty drive in a breeze! I never saw such with pc's. Anyway, it could be that lonely computer with a knobhead as user that failed because of severe user error but let's suppose it is just a weak design? I mean no recovery possible!?!?! First time ever with a Mac. It will be sold directly after repair.
Let's just hope the power switch at the bottom is not contagious. Imagine your audio to have power switches at the bottom and zealots telling that this is fully normal 😀 "That amplifier is not supposed to be switched off", "your audio player is not that heavy".
Also I never had any of my Apple computers to not react to recovery attempts and not having any video output. Most could be installed from the web with a formatted/empty drive in a breeze! I never saw such with pc's. Anyway, it could be that lonely computer with a knobhead as user that failed because of severe user error but let's suppose it is just a weak design? I mean no recovery possible!?!?! First time ever with a Mac. It will be sold directly after repair.
Let's just hope the power switch at the bottom is not contagious. Imagine your audio to have power switches at the bottom and zealots telling that this is fully normal 😀 "That amplifier is not supposed to be switched off", "your audio player is not that heavy".
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"No recovery possible" They make millions per month. A few fail. Like most things they follow the bathtub failure curve and either die early or after many hours. It could be a flash memory failure. This seems a bit overly dramatic. Take it to the nearest repair center.
It is dramatic when stuff dies in less than a month, whatever the brand is. Of course I know the bath tub curve but I also know weak hardware exists. Let's hope this is just not one of them.
"If your Mac mini's status indicator light is blinking orange during a macOS update, it likely indicates
the Mac is in firmware recovery mode and you may need to revive the firmware.
the Mac is in firmware recovery mode and you may need to revive the firmware.
- Disconnect Peripherals:
Remove all external devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor, USB devices) except the power cable and try turning on the computer.
- Check for Beeps or Other Sounds:
Listen for any beeps or other sounds when you try to turn on the computer, as these could indicate a specific error code.
- Try a Power Reset:
Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds, then reconnect the power supply and try to restart the computer.
- Firmware Recovery Mode:
When the status indicator light flashes amber rapidly or is solid amber, your Mac might be in firmware recovery mode, potentially due to a - firmware issue during the update process.
- Reviving the Firmware:
You may need to revive the firmware on your Mac, depending on whether it's an Apple silicon or Intel-based Mac. - Contact Apple:
If you're unable to resolve the issue yourself, Apple Support recommends contacting an Apple Authorized Service Provider."
Newsflash: USB-C and Thunderbolt exist. Adaptors are cheap if you need to maintain connection to legacy devices. Besides... You knew this when you bought it, so why complain about it now?
Because most have the computer sitting on a desk and have their headphones plugged into it. That makes pretty good sense. Just like headphone amps have the headphone output on the front.
Sucks the update didn't go as planned, though. Hopefully the steps suggested by @rayma will work.
Tom
USB-C or Thunderbolt for a webcam for instance? I know the adapter cable industry are very good friends with Apple but come on no USB A and no USB 3.2 gen 2 support either are just strange. Yes I knew some items and I bought it in blind faith (except the USB 3.2 gen 2) so I can not complain. However I can complain that it has no user recovery options and no video output telling anything. It is a sum of things like always as explained in detail. To me it does not have the usual user experience of a Mac.
Apple will call me tomorrow so I am curious what they will suggest. From what I understood this can only be done at Apple themselves. Good customer bonding 🙂
Of course I already did all the steps, I usually know how to trigger recovery of Apple stuff. Not this one, it gives no signals on HDMI.
Apple will call me tomorrow so I am curious what they will suggest. From what I understood this can only be done at Apple themselves. Good customer bonding 🙂
Of course I already did all the steps, I usually know how to trigger recovery of Apple stuff. Not this one, it gives no signals on HDMI.
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just make a little device with the mac‘s footprint, make the mac float on a spring, so that pushing it down pushes the power switch.
The other flaws aren’t adressed of course!
Have you already tried with the recovery method using another Mac and a usb-c cable? Apple switched to this method a few years ago. They implemented this convoluted restore procedure to keep the firmware always encrypted.
Have the Hagibis stand with it to be able to power it on (?!) and immediately foresaw the same external clutter as in recent audio. This was not the usual way of dealing by Apple with their "digital hub" vision by Steve Jobs. M4 needs all the external stuff it lacks for normal operation.
It used to be "bring your own monitor, keyboard and mouse". Now it is "bring your own monitor, keyboard, mouse, USB hub and stand to be able to switch it on".
pcan, that seems a tip I haven't tried yet as I never needed it. Just read that possibility. It is tragically insane to need a second Mac to recover one.
It used to be "bring your own monitor, keyboard and mouse". Now it is "bring your own monitor, keyboard, mouse, USB hub and stand to be able to switch it on".
pcan, that seems a tip I haven't tried yet as I never needed it. Just read that possibility. It is tragically insane to need a second Mac to recover one.
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Check the "How to revive or restore Mac firmware" topic on Apple support site. Apple basically ported to the Mac the same recovery procedure they previously developed for iPhone/iPad.
Denying the obvious does not make it better 😀
I push it every day as I power down all my stuff every day whatever Apple thinks of that. Since having witnessed a few home fires caused by electronics I know 100% for sure this is safer. Had yearly training on fires too and it is simply not OK to keep stuff powered on unattended. I also feel the power button maybe is a luxury item but one that one must be able to use as it has been paid for. If Apple found it to be a useless item they should have omitted it.
But denial, blaming the user and a power on/off button at the bottom are not the subject. It is the total experience, a sum of things together with Mac Mini uncharacteristic failure mode as described in post 1.
I push it every day as I power down all my stuff every day whatever Apple thinks of that. Since having witnessed a few home fires caused by electronics I know 100% for sure this is safer. Had yearly training on fires too and it is simply not OK to keep stuff powered on unattended. I also feel the power button maybe is a luxury item but one that one must be able to use as it has been paid for. If Apple found it to be a useless item they should have omitted it.
But denial, blaming the user and a power on/off button at the bottom are not the subject. It is the total experience, a sum of things together with Mac Mini uncharacteristic failure mode as described in post 1.
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These adapters provide a top side power switch.
https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Suita...fb6-a61f-491a4b6e258b&pd_rd_i=B0DLWK42RS&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Auxiliary-Pr...-Computer/dp/B0DNHH75C2/ref=asc_df_B0DNHH75C2
https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Suita...fb6-a61f-491a4b6e258b&pd_rd_i=B0DLWK42RS&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Auxiliary-Pr...-Computer/dp/B0DNHH75C2/ref=asc_df_B0DNHH75C2
The latest release of iOS has some issues, not heard bnof any with macOS. It will. be a software issue. Worst bcase is a restore from your TimeMachine backup. Actually worse is no backup.
I like USB C. A USB A to USB adaptor shouod be ordered when you get the new box.
I am eyeing an M4 Pro Mini to replace my 2012 mini as the music system. The big TV makes an OK montor but acess is usually thruy screen sharing,
Since 1984 here. Atill have my original Mac128 — justb the shell, everythng else has been replaced. 16 MHz 68020mand 4 MB RAM.nPS needs fixing (again — most common hardware issue with this generation Mac chassis.
dave
I like USB C. A USB A to USB adaptor shouod be ordered when you get the new box.
I am eyeing an M4 Pro Mini to replace my 2012 mini as the music system. The big TV makes an OK montor but acess is usually thruy screen sharing,
Since 1984 here. Atill have my original Mac128 — justb the shell, everythng else has been replaced. 16 MHz 68020mand 4 MB RAM.nPS needs fixing (again — most common hardware issue with this generation Mac chassis.
dave
You are turning it off? Would be a PITA if you need to do a hard reset. A third party fix quickly became available.
Aside: M4 mini would be a good candidat efor resurecting my Flower Power iMac of my G4 Cube.
dave
It can not be restored as it has no video output. A backup from Time Machine is not possible. It does nothing, apparently it has no basic software in EFi to show any message not even a cursor blinking. Even SBCs have some output when things are wrong.
Maybe you better wait a little. If this issue is a more often occurring issue you may want to skip M4. It has not the same solid feeling as the marvelous M2 (or the then groundbreaking M1).
Please stop the denial of the power button as I then strongly advise to have your audio with power buttons at the bottom. Yes I do switch stuff off as that is fully normal. I switch my lights off when I leave rooms, switch my audio off when I go to sleep. The PITA is that it is unreachable.
Maybe you better wait a little. If this issue is a more often occurring issue you may want to skip M4. It has not the same solid feeling as the marvelous M2 (or the then groundbreaking M1).
Please stop the denial of the power button as I then strongly advise to have your audio with power buttons at the bottom. Yes I do switch stuff off as that is fully normal. I switch my lights off when I leave rooms, switch my audio off when I go to sleep. The PITA is that it is unreachable.
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Boycott please. If i told you why but this post would have to disappear (political)
dave
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