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Yes, an M1 Mac mini can be made smaller—but the documented Snazzy Labs project was an advanced hardware redesign, not a case swap or a supported upgrade. It moved the power supply outside the computer, relocated internal components, removed the fan and fitted the logic board into a custom 3D-printed enclosure.
How the M1 Mac mini was made smaller
In a project reported by MacRumors on March 2, 2022, Quinn Nelson of Snazzy Labs rebuilt the 2020 M1 Mac mini around its existing logic board. He designed a custom resin-printed enclosure with perforations inspired by the 2019 Mac Pro’s “cheese grater” design. The build also relocated the antennae and power button and removed the fan.
The power supply was another major change. MacRumors reported that the stock 150W internal supply was replaced by an external 65W Microsoft Surface power supply. The project used a retrofitted MagSafe 2 connector and a DC voltage regulator to connect that supply to the logic board. Moving the supply out of the enclosure saves internal space; it does not make the external power unit disappear from the overall setup.
9to5Mac’s March 2, 2022 report described the CAD files and schematics as published alongside the project and noted that the design followed the existing Mac mini board layout. That documentation does not turn the build into a validated, beginner-safe set of instructions.
#1 Best Overall
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How much smaller was it?
MacRumors’s article body says the modified machine occupied 28% of the original internal volume. If the comparison is volume, that means a 72% reduction—not 78%. The same article’s headline says “78% smaller,” a figure that does not match the body’s 28%-remaining statement. The available reporting does not explain the discrepancy, so 72% is the consistent calculation from the body figure, not an independent measurement.
What the reported performance does—and does not—show
MacRumors reported that Nelson saw virtually no performance change and that benchmark results were comparable with the unmodified machine. This describes one project’s reported benchmark outcome. It does not establish long-term reliability, safe operating temperatures, or how the modified computer behaves across workloads or room conditions.
Rank #2
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Cooling deserves particular attention because the build removed the fan. A benchmark result alone cannot establish that passive cooling is adequate over extended use. The reports do not provide thermal measurements or an independent replication.
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The smaller enclosure depended on changes to power delivery, cooling, component placement and fabrication. Replacing the internal supply with an external one requires more than finding a smaller shell: the reported build used a voltage regulator and a retrofitted connector. The cited reports do not establish electrical design tolerances or provide enough verified detail to treat those choices as a general recipe.
Rank #3
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Apple’s M1 Mac mini (2020) repair manual, published February 26, 2025, covers stock-device safety information, diagnostic checks, tools and procedures for parts including the fan, logic board, power supply and housing. It is useful service documentation, but it does not endorse or validate custom power conversion or fan removal.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should consider a build like this?
This project is best understood as inspiration for experienced electronics and fabrication hobbyists. Anyone without relevant skills should keep the Mac mini in its stock configuration and use its original enclosure and cooling. The reports describe one custom build; they do not establish a supported compact-case product or a procedure proven safe for general users.
Rank #4
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Fabrication materials
The reported enclosure was resin printed, but the reports do not name a printer model or resin specification. A resin 3D printer is the relevant equipment category if you are studying the fabrication approach; no particular printer or material can be recommended from the project details alone.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
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