razor edge on new MBP

"I'll assume you use the finger."

I use the finger, all right 🙂

Actually, when I'm using the trackpad, I'm usually doing a lot of trackpadding, not typing, and when I'm doing a lot of typing, I'm not doing much trackpadding (isn't it fun to make a noun into a verb?).

So when I'm doing a lot of trackpadding, I position my wrist near the left lower corner of the trackpad (I'm left-handed) so that with small wrist movements I can get the most use of the trackpad area with my thumb, forefinger, and yes, the middle finger. This works well for me, except that the sharp edge just happens to be where the heel of my hand rests.

I've tried resting my hand higher, next to the trackpad, but that forces my elbow to stick out annoying my neighbor. After reading your message above, I tried using my thumbs. Though I had used my thumb on the trackpad occasionally while typing, it never occurred to me to try using two thumbs to scroll or alt-click. I tried that, but the range of motion of my thumbs is very small in that position compared with the range I get with the combination of wrist and fingers.

Anyway, that's what I do, for what it's worth.

Do you have the trackpad speed all the way up? That will let you get a little more distance out of less motion, could make the thumb a more viable option?

I know what you mean, though, I tend to go one or the other. Quicksilver + OSX Hotkeys really helps the keyboard go a long way.

George Frazee wrote:
And no one is suggesting that people can't file down their laptops, they can do what they wish with their property. The question is whether or not Apple will/should support hardware that people take files to. There's really no reason while they should, in the same way that if I deleted OSX and installed Solaris, they wouldn't be obligated to support me on the software side.

George youve summed it up perfectly! i am with you and LukeD on this.
Sure people can do whatever they want. if i want to drive my car into a tree, well god bless me...

but we need to GET REAL here people... filing down your macbook is the equivalent of driving your car into a tree!

You will lose warranty
Aluminum will oxidize
You will never resell it

...if those aren't reasons enough, i dont know what is!

I'd be willing to bet if you broke the edges with a file without really hacking it, a) it would be more comfortable to use (a la the old Ti and Ai books, which have rounded edges) and b), almost no-one would notice - including Apple technicians. In fact, many forget that Apple technicians are people too - they get just as frustrated with the company's design flaws as anyone else. I remember one time we were having a **** of a time with a vibrating fan noise in a G5 iMac and, after a couple of trips to my local Apple store to try to find a fix (Apple HQ, as usual, denied it was a problem or design flaw), I managed to fashion a soft mount for the fan using styrofoam! The guys at the Apple store thought it was a great idea. The original fan is hard-mounted inside the machine and vibrates noticeably when in operation - there was no other way to fix it but to isolate the vibration. It was something that happened across the whole range of that particular model - a design flaw which disappeared with the next revision (so much for Apple saying it wasn't a problem!) - but which the consumer was left to fix for themselves, and which Apple should have known about had it conducted some simple real-world testing (hot day, fan spins up - right?). The Apple Store guys were understanding. Not only did I not void my warranty (technically I did, but the technicians not only understood my actions - they recommended the fix to other customers!), but they even let me take out an Apple Extended Warranty before the original 12 months was up.

It's your machine. If Apple won't fix it, then you have every right to find what works for yourself.

I used to have the original Titanium PowerBook, and Apple never admitted (to my knowledge) that the paint was crap. After a while, it would start flaking off on the laptop's edges, all the way around the top cover. Apple wouldn't admit that there was a design problem, but the next generation PowerBooks was aluminum and didn't have the flaking paint problems.

Welcome to Apple world. 🙂

Chrysler wrote:
I managed to fashion a soft mount for the fan using styrofoam! The guys at the Apple store thought it was a great idea. The Apple Store guys were understanding. Not only did I not void my warranty (technically I did, but the technicians not only understood my actions

It's your machine. If Apple won't fix it, then you have every right to find what works for yourself.

you are so missing the point!

many of us are not MacGyvers like you are... so we cant fashion special parts out of a paper clip and some gum!

just because Apple gave you a pass after you admittedly voided your warranty does not mean others will receive the same benefit

read George's post again...cuz your missing the point

it is not about saying "YOU CANT DO THIS" it's about "YOU SHOULD NOT DO THIS BECAUSE..."

anyway, i now know who to call if apple ever rejects me for service.

good job Chrysler!

I am a convinced Mac user (OSX = my favourite OS) but unfortunatly I also can confirm the sharp edge on the MacBook built late October 2008. To be honest the edges left already red parts on my skin of my right lower arm. For those who think I am sensible - I am not. After one month of daily use (even in my bed, so I lean my arms with full weight on the edge), it is an annoyance, paying so much money for such a sharp edged machine. Assumed I am sensible (I am still not), isn´t then one more proof for a bad ergonomic design. In my oppinion everybody should be able to use the new MacBook without complaints, therefore it is an Apple, or am I wrong?

But I am very confidently that the Apple Care Team will help me. Its a serious issue...

I'm researching different options here. Right now I have a 1/8" thick strip of 1/2" wide neoprene adhesive strip along the front edge. Unfortunately, it prevents the magnetic close mechanism from working properly, and the strip is a bit too thick for comfort. But it is better than the sharp edge.

Next step is to mask and carefully apply some clear goop material, such as that used to provide a soft grip for tool handles. It should self-level and allow a clear, thin layer of cushion. We'll see.

I confess to being glad I'm not the only one with this complaint.

To answer your question, yes, it is most definitely an Apple.

You do have options, several of which are outlined throughout this thread. You just happen to be one of the (unfortunate) people who find the design uncomfortable, and there's not much you can do about that.

Depending on the employees at your particular Apple store, they may or may not be able to help you. If they go "by the book," then there's not much they can do. The machine was designed and built with 90º aluminum edges. They can't change that.

If you get someone adventurous, they might be willing to help you fashion some sort of barrier out of home-depot materials.

Also, keep in mind the vast range of third party add-ons for Apple products. If this becomes a issue for enough people, than you can expect belkin to answer this need by making a fitting rubber mold of their own.

Hi Jacob,

Thanks for your post.

I read most of this thread, and one thing that people talking about this subject might consider is the possibility that some units have sharper edges than others. That might be why some people don't seem notice this and others do. I know that Apple uses precision manufacturing, but a tiny bit of difference might make the difference, especially if there is a part of the manufacturing process where the factory worker does some manual filing and buffing.

If they ran their finger across the edge of my new unibody MBP, I am sure just about anyone would agree it is sharp. I couldn't shave with it, but I would not be surprised if someone cut themselves on it by running their finger across it too quickly. The bottom edges and LED edges don't have this issue. My 2007 MBP did not have this issue in the least and it was no less attractive.

I guess that Apple will fix this issue in the next generation or in this one and that a tiny bevel might be sufficient and probably wouldn't be noticeable to the average eye. Other than this flaw, I think that the new MPB design is superb so far.

Best,
Jason

IMO it's a nice design but if you think it's sharp then you could use it as a portable guillotine or a vega-matic kitchen aid. Seriously, filing the edges would be destructive so why not get some removable tape that wouldn't do damage and tape the edges you feel are too sharp. I bet you could find tape to match the color you like.

Personally, I don't experience any discomfort when using the new unibody MBP (either at a workstation or lying in bed.) However, if you are experiencing pain I would look at either this solution or this one (depending on your taste.) There's even an alternative (and less expensive) solution available here. All three are guaranteed not to invalidate your warranty nor damage your MBP. 😉

Best
John

Too funny! I was just thinking to myself this evening that I would be fine wearing sweaters until summer and then what! Actually, I was working at a table at a local 24-7 DD with free wireless and the tables are quite high, so even with good posture, it isn't easy not to rest one's wrists against the edges. I took some nice pictures of the marks on my wrists with my iPhone and they came out pretty good, but I don't have a way to post them...

hey Jacob,
Here is a possible remedy:
I think the Speck plastic case ( http://store.apple.com/us/product/TV175ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=Mjk5MzA0MQ) might be a solid solution. I went to the Apple store this evening and a sympathetic sales girl and I put one on a Macbook to try it out. It fits the unibody snuggly and it has more rounded, plastic edges... but I don't fancy: a) paying $34-50, b) adding bulk and 1.2lbs extra weight, and c) adding a shiny fingerprint-showing surface (based on reviews). But besides protecting the wrists, it also protects the MBP from scratches.
-Jason

I checked out about a dozen MB and MBP's at the Apple store this evening, and my observation was that some of them have pretty sharp edges like mine and some of them don't. So, I'd call this a "manufacturing" flaw, and not necessarily a "design" flaw.