Hosted by site sponsor WebMate.
Intel Mac mini Q&A - Updated March 12, 2009
To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.
Is there any way to mount an Intel Mac mini on the bottom of a shelf in an entertainment cabinet? Could doing so harm the system?
As noted elsewhere in the Intel Mac mini Q&A, Apple warns that you should not "put anything on top of your Mac mini or stack Mac minis on top of each other".
Placing something on top of the Mac mini could reduce the signal strength of AirPort (Wireless) and Bluetooth, and potentially interfere with proper cooling.
However, provided that you leave enough of a gap between the bottom of the shelf and the top of the Mac mini to allow proper cooling, such a space-saving installation should not harm the system. In fact, there are products designed to make it easy to attach your Mac mini to the underside of a shelf.
Photo Credit: Hubbell Automation
Two "bottom of a shelf" Mac mini mount kits were available from Cinnamon Peripherals [no longer in business] and Newer Technology -- the CinnaRack for Mac mini and NuShelf mini, respectively.
Both have been reviewed by the excellent 123Macmini.com [no longer online], and each review should be read in its entirety for the full perspective provided by the author, but in particular, the website was concerned that the original CinnaRack:
Is approximately the same height as the Mac mini. Even with the included felt risers installed, the gap between the top of the Mac mini and bottom of your desk or shelf is really small. This could possibly lead to a decrease in Airport reception in some instances, depending on the location of your wireless router.
In response to this concern, Cinnamon Peripherals redesigned the product and since then has made a variety of improvements such as an integrated USB cable that makes it easy to plug in a USB device without having to reach the back of the system and a design that enables "stacking" multiple Mac mini systems.
The only drawback mentioned for the NuShelf mini is that was "possible to push the Mac mini out of the mount if you press on it too hard" when connecting a USB device, for example.
Certainly simple but elegantly designed products. If you're not the type who would prefer to rig your own mount with a piece of plywood and a handful wood screws, you probably would find one to be worth the price.
Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices
Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.