MacBook sharp edges

[Grape]

I glued erasers to my fingers.

What I did is I glued erasers to my fingertips to force me to hold my hands and wrists a bit higher ... it has given me about 2cm of extension but you may want to vary the thinkness depending on the severity of your problem. Some of my colleagues have reported better results using about 3.5cm of thickness but I found that this amount made other, non-computer-related tasks such as opening the fridge, picking my nose, and carving working models of unicyles out of beets quite difficult. I suppose one adapts, though, after a time. I see my colleagues using quite ingeniously shaped "nose shovels" (as they have termed them), which they have made by twisting and squashing beer-bottle caps into sort of a taco shape, to aid in the mining of emeralds from their nasal cavities.

The eraser method has the added advantage of preventing your fingertips from wearing off as invariably happens to us avid users, but the disadvantage of erasing the letters on the keys, so you really need to work on memorising keyboard layout before it is too late.

 

[JasonMac]

the edges on my macbook dont bother me much.

 

[BekkyNixon]

Same problem...

Heres a pic of what happens to me after a long time of use with bad posture. Ive been home sick doing nothing except being on my MacBook for the majority of the day. This is the first time in the ~month of having it that Ive gotten marks on my wrists.

I've had mine for a few months now, and I'm very sensitive so it really bugged me for a while. I just wear long sleeves or make sure I'm in a more comfortable position.

If I think of a solution I'll let you know... my mind has a way of working on these things and getting back to me at a later date.

 

[Sock Monkey]

Sharpe Edge amongst other things...

I've recently upgraded from a G4 to a Mac Book and have noticed two VERY annoying issues with it!

The main problem is the sharp edge, which after a few hours leaves my palms all cut-up and sore.

The other issue is the stupid CAPS button which doesn't seem to function correctly - you have to bash it to make it come on!

My G4 never had either of these problems!

 

[alphaod]

Dude, don't sand it down; go sell it to an emo kid.

 

[tequilaparis]

Amen!

Okay, I like Macs - I really like them. I like the hardware, the software - it's all good. But come on people, stop defending them when they make a mistake! I haven't had any issues with the edges while typing but as other users have said, when just using the trackpad, the edge digs into my outer palm. For me (as I suspect it is for most people) it's most natural to rest my palm on the edge of the laptop when using the trackpad. Sure, there are probably some things I could do (sanding, tape, keep my hand hovering over the keyboard, etc.) to prevent this but I SHOULD'T FRIGGIN' HAVE TO! Plain and simple, this was poor design by Apple. I'm not saying I'm going to stop buying Apple products or anything like that, but good grief - stop making excuses for the company when they screw up.

I say AMEN to this .. I also love Mac, but this is a flaw

 

[monkey86]

you can get an ergopad or something similar if it bothers you too much google it.

i dont have any problem with mine, maybe if you went outdoors and played sport/did some work outside you would be a bit tougher.

 

[brattymack]

Great solution.

I have a white macbook. Took a drywall sandpaper sponge and worked out the sharp edges. No noticeable difference in edges at all, they just feel infinitely better. As suggested earlier, I think any fine grit sandpaper would do.

Wearing gloves, pads, long sleeves, and more really shouldn't be an option.

 

[jadub]

Whilst mine isn't sharp like a knife, i've noticed that base of my wrists have become sore with the skin flaking ! I thought at first perhaps i was getting eczema - but realised it's the bl00dy edge of the laptop ! - Absolutely mad.
Form over function.
Apple - get a grip.

 

[C2MAC]

rough finish

I use 1500 grit sandpaper to sand down the sharp edge. 1 pass is all u need. Dont sand the surface just the edges.

 

[alphaod]

What's with the revival of age old threads.

No you shouldn't have your wrists hanging over the edge of your computer anyways unless you want carpal tunnel.

 

[UltraNEO*]

Hi. I've been ghosting here for months, eagerly awaiting the new MacBook with all of you. I now own one (as of Monday morning) and am loving it, except for one thing -- the sharp edges that cut into my wrists while I type! I've read various threads with complaints about this, but haven't seen any suggestions for fixing it (sorry if I missed postings about this elsewhere). My two ideas are either to sand down the edges until they're rounded and smooth, or put something on it (a piece of cloth? glue?) What do you guys think? This is an annoying design flaw (how the heck did this get past Apple's testers?) on an otherwise wonderful computer. I am not willing to connect an external keyboard for everyday use. I should be able to use the laptop's built in keyboard with some degree of comfort!
Thanks for your thoughts.

If your wrists are in contact with the machine while you're typing, then it's the user's fault for taking up incorrect typing positions.

 

[gretafour]

Injury

This problem IS really serious... after a long stint of WoW, my left hand was actually severed by the razor-sharp edge.

 

[UltraNEO*]

This problem IS really serious... after a long stint of WoW, my left hand was actually severed by the razor-sharp edge.

If you believe the product is defect, try suing Apple!!

Personally, I still think it's more of a user error...

 

[rdhuberman]

You know, this is really a bunch of BS. The fact is, Apple has stood behind a design that is tragically flawed--the computer is basically a piece of junk, and all because the edge is too sharp! Other wise, it is a truly wonderful piece of hardware. There is no good workaround. Any discussion of developing "proper" ergonomics is simply blather from people who are too enamored of Apple products to face the fact that this is engineering at its worst, and demonstrates a degree of hubris from Apple that borders on contempt for consumers.
Here's a link to an article in Popular Mechanics (3/13/2009) that lists the MacBook as #1 of five gadgets that have design flaws that have ruined otherwise smart gadgets:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4307736.html?

I'm typing this on a MacBook Pro 15" that was given to me last week as a 60th birthday gift. It is going back to Apple tomorrow, and you had better bet they are not going to get away with a ten percent restocking fee!

 

[jeremybuff]

Two things: 1) I do not think the edges are that sharp, and if you're resting your hands near the edges your hands are bound to hurt anyway from the pad posture; 2) Concerning the heat issue... what heat issue? My MBP rarely- and I mean rarely- ever gets even slightly warm. Don't get me wrong, but I use it all day long, tons of tabs open in Safari, Photoshop, Fireworks, and After Effects are nearly always on and/or compressing something... not to mention listening to music and watching videos here and there.

The only time that it gets hot is when I use it while laying in the bed at night watching TV and surfing the Internet.

 

[rdhuberman]

What do you mean, bad posture? I sit at my kitchen table, and hold my hands and arms in the correct typing position. My forearms are in contact with the edge--just like on the four other laptops I have owned, none of which have irritated my arms. I would have to shrug my shoulders all the time to not touch the edge.

Only the Mac has the serious design flaw--once again, see the Popular Mechanics article. Rounding the edge, or better yet, a nice bevel, would solve the problem.

You are a "Mac apologist" if you think this is the fault of the hundreds of people who are posting about this (that they all must have bad posture), rather than the the fault is with the designers at Apple, who could easily and elegant correct their defective design.

 

[ajohnson253]

cut it off with scissors

 

[Patriks7]

If you believe the product is defect, try suing Apple!!

Personally, I still think it's more of a user error...

Ah, the American way of life. Just sue your self everywhere. While you guys are at it, sue all the fastfood restaurants for making you eat unhealthy food and also sue the whole government. I mean, why not?

On a serious note, you people complaining about that should learn to properly type on your laptop and not use it on your bed. I had the same problem until I started sitting up straight (yeah, might be a bit hard for some of you fat-bellies). Or just try to pursue the emo way of life.

 

[Hot Snowboarder]

Yeah guys, you really shouldn't rest your wrists while typing. They even teach that (and other computer ergonomics) to kids in schools now.

Don't worry about the red lines on your wrists, worry about suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome later in life.

 

[entatlrg]

Yeah guys, you really shouldn't rest your wrists while typing. They even teach that (and other computer ergonomics) to kids in schools now.

Don't worry about the red lines on your wrists, worry about suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome later in life.

It's while using the TRACKPAD for surfing etc that you'll get the red line in your palm ... the edges are sharp all the way around, sharp enough to cut the skin ... that's a defect, design flaw whichever way you look at it imo ...

 

[kp98072]

If you exchange the 13" MB for a 15" MBP, you will have more surface area to rest your wrists on and won't be touching the corners.

no i disagree, the mbp is worse! we have both trust me. its probably most dependent from person to person...

 

[kp98072]

Dude, don't sand it down; go sell it to an emo kid.

why do you have 13" crossed out in your profile signature?

 

[kp98072]

If you exchange the 13" MB for a 15" MBP, you will have more surface area to rest your wrists on and won't be touching the corners.

i exchanged my mb uni for a pro too... how do you like the difference? its a lot bigger than i thougt! not sure maybe too big? love the big screen tho...my problem with the wrist is worse by far on the mbp..

 

[michael.lauden]

i thought the corners were sharp too on my girlfriend's MBP. and when i got this i thought the same thing.

i don't even notice it now. i have been a mechanic for a long time so maybe that has to do something with it. cutting my hands up so many times that i don't feel small scratches? haha

anyways what doesn't kill you will make you stronger, and with a little use your wrists will toughen up