I can't tell you what a wonderful difference in comfort this modification has made for my many hours per day use of my new MacBook Pro.
I use the machine mostly on a lapdesk (as seen in photos below), but often on my lap while sitting on a sofa, sometimes on a pillow, often laying in bed, sometimes without the lapdesk but with a laptop stand, sometimes without either... basically all manner of positions. And quite often I found that the sharp edges of the machine bothered the HECK out of me. I haven't gotten cut as some folks have, but it's been quite uncomfortable now and then... a definite damper on my ergonomic use of the machine. And since Apple doesn't seem to want to change the situation, I decided to make the machine conform to me rather than me conform to it.
About an hour with a good, fine-grade triangular steel file and some sandpaper and voila... the soft but harsh-edged aluminum unibody yields to the steel file and now my wrists and hands can swoop all around the face of my new MacBook Pro is total comfort.
Mine was not the most perfect job... if I take some more time, it can be close to perfect,
but it's quite nice and effective as it is right now.
Yes, the edges on MacBooks are stupid sharp AND there is a simple solution... requiring TOUGH LOVE!
Get or buy a fine-grade steel file (a three-sided fine-grade steel file of about 1/4" width is perfect), some magic tape, some plastic sheeting or paper, and a little fine and extra fine sandpaper.
Using Scotch magic tape (easily removed) and plastic wrap or paper, seal off every port on both sides of the main body and the keyboard and the trackpad... seal and tape off the entire top of the keyboard surface up to about 1/4" from the front and side edges (the offending edges).
Play the soft aluminum edges with long, even strokes of the file... basically you want to radius that nearly knife-sharp 90 degree edge into a nice rounded profile. You can really dig in at first to cut right through that offensive sharp edge!!! You will greatly enjoy the revenge you are now taking against that nasty edge that has bugged you for too long! You are going for a nice rounded edge, not just a slightly dulled sharp edge.
It will be especially rewarding to cut off those two exceedingly sharp and nasty points on each side of the center opening indentation! Slice those bad boys GONE!
Take your time (took me about 45 minutes) and work carefully and evenly for a nice cosmetic result. Then gently sand with fine sand paper wrapped around a stiff surface (so you can control exactly how the sandpaper contacts the edge). Go to super fine for the nicest edge.
When you're done, blow off the screen and the rest of the machine with canned air (keep the canned air container level so it blows only air and not freezing liquid!). Now, remove the wrapping. Then dust with a soft cloth.
The result? Beautiful, soft rounded edges on the front and sides of your MacBook/MacBook Pro. It gives a nice satin, sculpted look to the edge and adds great value to the machine for every minute of your use and for anyone who would have the machine when you're done with it. I've done this to two plastic MacBooks and my aluminum MacBook Pro and now they are a dream to lean my wrists and hands on... at any angle, whenever and wherever I happen to contact the body of the computer during use. HIGHLY recommended enhancement to the machine, especially if you use yours a LOT, as I do!
I recently did this to my two month old 13" MacBook Pro and plan to give this to my wife when I buy a new 15" i7 MacBook Pro in the near future. First thing I will do to that new machine is the same TOUGH LOVE rounded edge procedure. Makes an amazing difference in comfort.
Sell the computer because of the edges? That's throwing the baby out with the bathwater! These machines are the best laptops with the best OS going, don't let the sharp edges keep you away from it.... you can deal with that easily.
I'm a firm believer of making a product suit you to a "T", especially if it's a product you interface with for hours everyday!
If you want the soft, rounded edges on your machine, get that file and take your aggressions out on those harsh edges!
As for resale, when the day finally comes to sell this machine (probably two or three years away as I will pass it to my wife and then, perhaps to one of the kids, then...?) the next buyer will be someone who is thrilled to have the rounded edges rather than knife-blade edges and it won't hurt resale a bit. In fact it could be argued that it would make this machine more desireable (at least to some folks) than one with sharp edges.
I use the machine mostly on a lapdesk (as seen in photos below), but often on my lap while sitting on a sofa, sometimes on a pillow, often laying in bed, sometimes without the lapdesk but with a laptop stand, sometimes without either... basically all manner of positions. And quite often I found that the sharp edges of the machine bothered the HECK out of me. I haven't gotten cut as some folks have, but it's been quite uncomfortable now and then... a definite damper on my ergonomic use of the machine. And since Apple doesn't seem to want to change the situation, I decided to make the machine conform to me rather than me conform to it.
About an hour with a good, fine-grade triangular steel file and some sandpaper and voila... the soft but harsh-edged aluminum unibody yields to the steel file and now my wrists and hands can swoop all around the face of my new MacBook Pro is total comfort.
Mine was not the most perfect job... if I take some more time, it can be close to perfect,
but it's quite nice and effective as it is right now.
Yes, the edges on MacBooks are stupid sharp AND there is a simple solution... requiring TOUGH LOVE!
Get or buy a fine-grade steel file (a three-sided fine-grade steel file of about 1/4" width is perfect), some magic tape, some plastic sheeting or paper, and a little fine and extra fine sandpaper.
Using Scotch magic tape (easily removed) and plastic wrap or paper, seal off every port on both sides of the main body and the keyboard and the trackpad... seal and tape off the entire top of the keyboard surface up to about 1/4" from the front and side edges (the offending edges).
Play the soft aluminum edges with long, even strokes of the file... basically you want to radius that nearly knife-sharp 90 degree edge into a nice rounded profile. You can really dig in at first to cut right through that offensive sharp edge!!! You will greatly enjoy the revenge you are now taking against that nasty edge that has bugged you for too long! You are going for a nice rounded edge, not just a slightly dulled sharp edge.
It will be especially rewarding to cut off those two exceedingly sharp and nasty points on each side of the center opening indentation! Slice those bad boys GONE!
Take your time (took me about 45 minutes) and work carefully and evenly for a nice cosmetic result. Then gently sand with fine sand paper wrapped around a stiff surface (so you can control exactly how the sandpaper contacts the edge). Go to super fine for the nicest edge.
When you're done, blow off the screen and the rest of the machine with canned air (keep the canned air container level so it blows only air and not freezing liquid!). Now, remove the wrapping. Then dust with a soft cloth.
The result? Beautiful, soft rounded edges on the front and sides of your MacBook/MacBook Pro. It gives a nice satin, sculpted look to the edge and adds great value to the machine for every minute of your use and for anyone who would have the machine when you're done with it. I've done this to two plastic MacBooks and my aluminum MacBook Pro and now they are a dream to lean my wrists and hands on... at any angle, whenever and wherever I happen to contact the body of the computer during use. HIGHLY recommended enhancement to the machine, especially if you use yours a LOT, as I do!
I recently did this to my two month old 13" MacBook Pro and plan to give this to my wife when I buy a new 15" i7 MacBook Pro in the near future. First thing I will do to that new machine is the same TOUGH LOVE rounded edge procedure. Makes an amazing difference in comfort.
Sell the computer because of the edges? That's throwing the baby out with the bathwater! These machines are the best laptops with the best OS going, don't let the sharp edges keep you away from it.... you can deal with that easily.
I'm a firm believer of making a product suit you to a "T", especially if it's a product you interface with for hours everyday!
If you want the soft, rounded edges on your machine, get that file and take your aggressions out on those harsh edges!
As for resale, when the day finally comes to sell this machine (probably two or three years away as I will pass it to my wife and then, perhaps to one of the kids, then...?) the next buyer will be someone who is thrilled to have the rounded edges rather than knife-blade edges and it won't hurt resale a bit. In fact it could be argued that it would make this machine more desireable (at least to some folks) than one with sharp edges.
