Innovative Genius! Netizens Design a Power Supply System for the M4 Mac Mini: 3 x 18650 Batteries Last 45 Minutes

The M4 chip-based Mac Mini has been a hot commodity in various global markets recently, leading to a surge in modifications, such as 3D-printed housings that resemble the Mac Studio.

A particularly creative endeavor surfaced on Reddit, where a user designed a portable power system for the Mac Mini. This system incorporates three 18650 lithium batteries and uses a boost converter to power the Mac Mini.

The custom-made boost converter is capable of converting the battery's voltage to 220V AC, equivalent to the voltage and frequency of standard household electric circuits, making it a feasible power source for the Mac Mini.

Testing revealed that three 18650 batteries could approximately provide 45 minutes of battery life. Theoretically, the M4 chip's low power consumption could allow for longer battery life, but efficiency is reduced due to multiple conversions.

The Mac Mini's internal circuitry also needs to convert the 220V AC back to DC, meaning the portable power system essentially boosts the 18650 battery voltage to 220V AC, which the Mac Mini then converts back to DC.

Practically, this system might not be the most efficient, especially since teardowns have shown that the Mac Mini's internal power board could be replaced with a low-voltage DC power supply, reducing energy loss.

Enthusiasts are likely to develop similar modifications, enabling the Mac Mini to be powered directly by power banks and other devices. Interested users should stay tuned for future developments.