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How to radius the harsh edges on your MacBook...
- Thread starter DHart
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i did the same with my apple keyboard, but way less than u did.
you nearly cant see the difference, but it fells way better.
you nearly cant see the difference, but it fells way better.
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) the next buyer will be 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.
Eddie... yes. Very little material was removed. In fact the bottom of the top lid IS mitered! So when the machine is closed, the top of the bottom matches the bottom of the top, if you know what I mean. Looks wonderful open and closed!
So we need to wear shirts with long sleeves? Apple's website doesn't mention that. Btw, it will not help with the trackpad which is the bigger problem.
Eddie... yes. Very little material was removed. In fact the bottom of the top lid IS mitered! So when the machine is closed, the top of the bottom matches the bottom of the top, if you know what I mean. Looks wonderful open and closed!
Could you take pictures of having it closed please?
Sure, buddy, here ya go.... but beware, this thing looks so bad now I can't see how ANYbody would ever want it!
I don't know how I'll ever recover from this devastating loss! 
BTW, what is it around here? I spend close to no time on this forum, but it sure seems like some folks are simply out to antagonize and be contrary.... ? The attitude is wicked. Guess it's a good thing that I really don't visit here but once in a blue moon.
Back to enjoying my nice rounded edge MacBook Pro.
THanks for this. Looks good! Maybe I can send mine over to you to have me do the jobI don't spend much time on this forum, but it sure seems like some folks are simply out to antagonize and do battle.... ? The attitude is wicked. Probably best that I rarely do come here.
Yeah I don't get it what's wrong with some people. I think they can't accept the fact that there IS something wrong with it. It's fine if they stayed away and people's voice who actually contribute (like you) can be heard much clearer. I'm happy for anyone who wants to help but repeating the "there is no problem" mantra doesn't help much to actually solve it.
Eddyisgreat.. sorry, bud... didn't mean to chew you out. All of a sudden it seemed like hostile venom was flowing here coming from God knows where... I had no idea that other people here would get so hot and bothered over what I do with my machine. You'd think they would have better things to do than to say things like "you're typing wrong" or "wear a long shirt". AMAZING! Anyway, I've gotta run! Been a real pleasure sharing with a coupe of you folks, anyway.
So it does appear!Ahh well, such is MR
It looks fine, not sure why some people are being so negative in here. It would not affect reselling either, many people would be glad to buy it this way.
Lots of worrying going on around here I see. Guess that's fine and how it is. Worry, worry, worry. Fear, fear, fear.
Best advice I can think of is try not to worry so much; most worry about the future is a complete waste of the present! But if you can't sleep over the worry, just don't do it!
No worries here though. Be well and enjoy your computers gentlemen!
Best advice I can think of is try not to worry so much; most worry about the future is a complete waste of the present! But if you can't sleep over the worry, just don't do it!
No worries here though. Be well and enjoy your computers gentlemen!
spillproof.... that's funny! And you're right... it does read like an infomercial! Guess I could edit it and strip it down to just the basics... or not waste any more time over this...
i know it took you a long time to do this, so im not gunna hate on it. everybody has their own opinions! nice work on your part though, i kno if i tried it myself, it woulda came out really messed up
thanks, dsprimal, glad you appreciate the work... I do enjoy doing some hand work on stuff like this.
I would be worried about weakening the integrity/thickness of the aluminum by rounding off the edges. It looks like 1-2mm of material was taken off?
I don't know how thick the metal is in that part of the chassis, but if its only a few mm thick, that could weaken the edge if the laptop was ever dropped or sat on it might split.
Other than that, this has a "Why doesn't it come this way?" type of feeling, looks much more comfortable.
I don't know how thick the metal is in that part of the chassis, but if its only a few mm thick, that could weaken the edge if the laptop was ever dropped or sat on it might split.
Other than that, this has a "Why doesn't it come this way?" type of feeling, looks much more comfortable.
Great thread, informative, who would think you could roll the edges of aluminum almost as if it was wood.
While i can't bring myself to do this to my MBP i admire you for modifying your MBP to your personal taste.
Maybe this will be a future upgrade option available from apple but only with the Hi Res option
While i can't bring myself to do this to my MBP i admire you for modifying your MBP to your personal taste.
Maybe this will be a future upgrade option available from apple but only with the Hi Res option
Great thread, informative, who would think you could roll the edges of aluminum almost as if it was wood.
While i can't bring myself to do this to my MBP i admire you for modifying your MBP to your personal taste.
Maybe this will be a future upgrade option available from apple but only with the Hi Res option
On Top of Hi-Res / Antiglare
And only if you go for a 500GB SSD I think it would be cool if a company would offer this modification against payment. That would be the one thing that most likely would provoke a reaction from Apple.
i really dont like the sharp edges. Its not sharp enought to cut but it is annoying to type at some angles.
I really can't understand why the ... Apple can't design with rounded edges, it will probably take the CNC machine a couple of seconds during production...
I really can't understand why the ... Apple can't design with rounded edges, it will probably take the CNC machine a couple of seconds during production...