Because of its small size, the Mac mini is a favorite computer to tinker with for unique setups and situations. One person shows some ingenuity with the device by demonstrating in a YouTube video how he was able to modify the Mac mini so that it can be powered through a USB-C port instead of its power supply.
In the video, Saad Ouache shows an open Mac mini with a wired USB-connector that he added and says uses Power Delivery to run the computer. He then connects a 12-volt battery power bank and proceeds to switch the power connection from the power cable to USB-C.
While the video has not been verified, it doesn’t seem impossible to power the Mac mini via USB-C. However, the power demands of the device make it impractical. Apple’s documentation states that the M4 Mac mini has a maximum power consumption of 65W, while the M4 Pro Mac mini is at 140W. Those numbers are with a Mac mini with no devices connected to it. The maximum continuous power rating for the Mac mini is 155W, which comes into play when a connected device is not using an external power source and is relying on the USB-C connection to the Mac mini.
None of this is surprising, of course. The MacBook Air and Pro already deliver power over USB-C, with the MacBook Pro powering an M4 Max and a 16-inch mini-LED display over USB-C. But Apple hasn’t yet offered a way to run its desktop Macs with USB-C power.
As AppleInsider points out, for Apple to make a Mac mini that runs on USB-C power, the proper cable needs to be used, which would be a 240W USB-C Charge Cable. Using lower-rated cables would be possible, but that increases the risk of failure. This restriction doesn’t seem like one Apple would want the hassle of dealing with. But if you have a creative idea for a Mac mini and are looking for alternative ways to power the device on the go, Ouache’s video seems to prove it’s possible.
Author: Roman Loyola, Senior Editor, Macworld
Roman is a Macworld Senior Editor with over 30 years of experience covering the tech industry, focusing on the Mac and other products in the Apple ecosystem. He is also the host of the Macworld Podcast. His career started at MacUser, where he received Apple certification as a repair technician (when Apple did that kind of thing). He's also worked for MacAddict, MacLife, and TechTV.