Contemplating softening the edge of my MBP

[meistervu]

Thank YOU!

Finally someone besides me that's using some common sense and being honest. When these first came out, Apple has quite a few complaints about the edge. To the cult like Apple clan, anyone that says anything that questions what Apple does is to be attacked or at the least put down in the forum. This is a perfect example of a small yet significant issue that could be so easily resolved if Apple did in fact care about the customer experience. I hate the sharp edge, but because I upgrade to a new MBP at every release, I choose to live with it.

If one is going to attempt to smooth it through any method, my concern would be having it come out as an uneven line or appearance on that edge. Unless something is used to control the exact amount of depth and material removed from end to end, the edge will be uneven. Even the slightest variation may be very noticeable. If that doesn't bother you, then fine. But awareness prior to making a choice is everything.

Having done quite a bit of edge softening on wood, this is my observation: the key is to go slow and use multiple passes. Randomness is my friend here I think. Think about it, if it takes 100 strokes to achieve what I want to do, and do a good job applying those strokes, they will spread out pretty evenly. That is why it is often easier to evenly soften the edge of hardwood than softwood. I have a friend who is a professional cabinet maker. He build really high end stuffs. He doesn't like big radius on tables and desks. Often he just softened the edges with a piece of sand paper by hand. His creations are so precise and exact.

 

[Al2O3]

<snip>
If one is going to attempt to smooth it through any method, my concern would be having it come out as an uneven line or appearance on that edge. Unless something is used to control the exact amount of depth and material removed from end to end, the edge will be uneven. Even the slightest variation may be very noticeable. <snip>

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, or, enough is as good as a feast.
I think the problem of perceived unevenness is a matter of scale. I'm in my 60s and though I don't normally wear glasses, I use magnification if I want to do detail work. At 4X, the doctored edge is still straight and true. And I didn't really control the amount of material removed; I just worked the edge until it felt better. It's still a hard metallic edge, but now it's not unpleasant to touch or stroke. I think worries about its future appearance (due to corrosion or the like) are unfounded. In the unlikely event that the appearance does change, another stroke or two with 1000 grit paper should reset the process to time zero. And don't forget that these beautiful machines are essentially throwaway items. No user-serviceable parts inside. By the time they have outlived their usefulness, better ones will be the norm.

 

[Crazy Badger]

The perfect solution is a MBP in a MBA body

If only...

 

[maflynn]

The perfect solution is a MBP in a MBA body

With apple's obsession with thinness, 2016 maybe the year we see that.

 

[Crazy Badger]

With apple's obsession with thinness, 2016 maybe the year we see that.

That would make me so happy, as I'll be replacing my 2013 MBA in 2016

Don't really want a 4th MBA due to the screen, but don't like the step at the front of the MBP. The new MacBook might be an option if they add another port and some faster processors, but a MBP in a MBA case would be just about perfect!

 

[meistervu]

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, or, enough is as good as a feast.
I think the problem of perceived unevenness is a matter of scale. I'm in my 60s and though I don't normally wear glasses, I use magnification if I want to do detail work. At 4X, the doctored edge is still straight and true. And I didn't really control the amount of material removed; I just worked the edge until it felt better. It's still a hard metallic edge, but now it's not unpleasant to touch or stroke. I think worries about its future appearance (due to corrosion or the like) are unfounded. In the unlikely event that the appearance does change, another stroke or two with 1000 grit paper should reset the process to time zero. And don't forget that these beautiful machines are essentially throwaway items. No user-serviceable parts inside. By the time they have outlived their usefulness, better ones will be the norm.

I agree completely. The surface of the moon scaled down the the size of the of a marble is smoother than a marble. I am sure with reasonable precaution, the soften MBP would look fine.

But more importantly, how the MBP feels is more important to me than how it looks. I do feel the same about how computers are ultimately tools which will eventually become obsolete. Why put up with a hard edge just to maintain the originality of an inanimate object that eventually will be recycled. I have a Palm Pilot still in pristine condition because I took great care of it. It's truly useless to me now.