Apple Mac mini gets modified to be powered via USB-C port

Apple introduced the new Mac mini as a compact yet capable compact PC with a dash of versatility. The M4 Pro config even brings Thunderbolt 5 ports, but while there are a good number of ports, the system can only be powered on through the AC power port.

However, a YouTuber named Saad OUACHE has shown that the Mac mini can be powered on through a USB-C cable. Of course, the modder had to add what seems to be a USB-C PD board module. The board is connected to the ground of the chassis and "plus" port of the motherboard, and with all that, Saad was able to power the mini PC with a PD-supported power bank (140 W Anker 737 curr. $87.99 on Amazon).

What's rather interesting is that the modder showed that power can be passed through both the AC port and the additional USB-C PD board at the same time, and the mini PC keeps working when either one of them is disconnected. The system also boots normally from being turned off when it starts to receive power through the additional board. This shows that Apple could've easily added USB-C passthrough on the Mac mini.

But then again, the traditional AC power port of the mini PC works perfectly fine for most users, and Apple may have thought that offering USB-C passthrough would be unnecessary. Regardless, from what Saad has shown, it seems adding the feature isn't too hard with the right electrical engineering skills. Check out Saad's video that's attached below to learn more about this mod.