I Filed the Sharp Corners Off My MacBook for Comfort
I also filed the corners off my MacBook
I modified my new MacBook Air by filing down its sharp edges to improve wrist comfort while using it on my lap. Despite initial fears of damaging the device, I used a metal file and sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish that went unnoticed by others. This experience reinforced my belief that a laptop is a tool meant to be used, not feared.
The moment I am too scared to do something because I might damage the tool, it stops being a tool.
- rob74
Nitpick: those are (sharp) edges, not corners. Maybe the next generation of MacBooks will also actually have exactly 90° non-rounded corners? I guess that's the next logical step...
Also, TIL that Bosch also makes files. I was under the impression that they only made powertools (or electronic measuring devices, or other things with a battery or power cord).
- dmaa
Great article and happy to see that I'm not alone. I don't get why on such a well thought-out and built device as this, the corners are so sharp.
From how I use the trackpad, the bottom of my thumb always feels sore-ish after a day's work and it took me a while to trace this to the sharp cornern of my macbook.
- wolvoleo
Yeah the sharp edges have bothered me since they started with the unibody. Luckily I'm completely off Mac these days. But really the last mac I enjoyed using was my powerbook. It had really nice plastic gaskets for the edges, a keyboard with really good travel and cupped keys, it was wonderful.
I got a plastic MacBook eventually which I filed down too because the edges were really sharp there. And plastic is easy to file. Also replaced the screen with a matte version, on the plastic MacBook that was also easy because the screens were readily available and there was no glass overlay.
Then I had a unibody MBP 15" matte. Less sharp and with off factory matte display. Not great keyboard though.
The current MBP I find abhorrent. Even after they switched from the horrible butterfly mistake the travel is still way too shallow. I just can't work with that anymore. These days I just don't buy laptops anymore. Only desk PCs.
- HugoTea
I love the animation on the background of your website.
And I totally understand what you mean about using a tool, if it's too delicate to do the job, then it's not doing its job. Imagine buying a hammer and trying to keep it clear of scuffs, it's obviously going to impede your work.
- FredrikSE
I didn't have the heart to make something like this on my M2 Air so I did a new edge to 3D-print and attach to the edge. Works really well and have lasted more than 3 years to this date.
- zaptrem
This is my number one complaint about the M-series MBP line. Especially true of the cutout in the middle that has points so sharp they can cut you if you accidentally scrape it with your hand.
- gnabgib
Related: Filing the corners off my MacBooks (1406 points, 3mos ago, 678 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47724352
- giamma
It's always entertaining for me to realize that there are people who find very annoying things that I don't even notice.