Sharp edges of MacBook Pro

Latte, I am glad someone brought the subject up. I am a big ol' boy and those edges are brutal! (Mine is a MBP 17 a month old)

I thought about filing the edges down but figured it would take off the anodized finish and it would tarnish differently.

Next time I am in the Apple Store I am going to handle a few and see if it is a characteristic of these machines. IF it is, it's a poor design...

Message was edited by: Mateomasfeo

Here is yet another MBP customer shocked to discover the sharp edge on the palm hurts to use it. I'm not sure what Apple was thinking, its entirely un-ergonomic this way. Resting your palms is in fact most restful then holding them up, particularly while using the track pad. In order to use the trackpad, I constantly find myself with my palm right on that sharp edge, worse yet...the little pointed corner where the notch is to open the lid is right under the palm there too. I swear it feels like it could draw blood someday. The MBP is beautiful to look at, but all those edges should have been dulled, even the slightest bit would suffice. As is they pretty much demand that some kind of shell be used, which of course defeats the purpose of having such a beautiful looking unibody frame to begin with, if you have to keep it hidden away inside a skin.

From what I gather, there are a few individual machines with particularly sharp edges. If you have access to an Apple Store or Apple Retailer, you can check out some of the demonstration models and see if they all have the same sharp edge or if yours has an abnormally sharp edge. If yours is unusually sharp, you may want to consider a replacement.

The Speck case may help, as it looks like it comes all the way up to the sharp edge and may provide some protection. Lots of people use these and like them, but others don't. No doubt people who have them will post back and give you their opinions.

Good luck!

I expect very few people use "proper typing technique". Even on desktop computers where you can use a keyboard tray and have a more permanent position, most people do not have their hands raised... hence the reason for just about all keyboards having a wrist rest area.

There are a number of products out there designed to protect the casing of your machine... such as BodyGuardz:

http://www.bodyguardz.com/content/accessories/6-41--1985.htm

The problem with most of them is that they are designed to fit "exactly" to your machine and they still leave that edge there. It's possible that extra fraction of a millimeter they add may be enough to keep your hands from the sharp spot. Another option might be to get a small one that you won't mind cutting up. You could put a little strip along the front that goes from the top over the edge just a little. They mold pretty nicely and adhere well. They're also completely removable should you decide you don't like it.

JoeyR, I have the Moshi Palmguard on my MBP and it didn't help with the edge at all since it fits the case perfectly.

The sharp edges are really bothering me. I won't file the case because I don't want to do anything to alter it, but I am going to start experimenting by finding some neoprene or something similar that I can stick to the edge.

To anyone who may read this thread:

*Whatever you do, do not take a file to the edge of the case.*

The person on the internet who promotes this has no idea about the properties of anodized aluminum.

If you file off the anodized finish the aluminum underneath will oxidize when exposed to normal atmospheric conditions. This is not a good thing, and will affect the finish of the computer. Apple may also refuse warranty service to a purposely damaged machine. It is at their sole discretion to do so.

The case ideas are much better ways of dealing with this. As well, while typing, your hands/wrists should be raised off the palm-rest area for proper ergonomics.

--Travis

All it takes to keep your wrists away from the bothersome edge while typing is to raise the back edge of the machine one inch by propping it up on something, anything. This also improves ergonomics and keeps the machine cooler.

I agree, it all has to do with angle you are using your computer.
I usually only notice it when I am using my MBP in bed. If I don't have it angled just right (usually up in the air vs down and lowered) my writs start hurting.

I thought about doing this: but its not worth the risk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnGAlf1hjs4&feature=player_embedded

I thought about doing this: but its not worth the risk.

Plain and simple, that guy in the video is an idiot. He has no idea as to the chemistry of aluminum, or the anodized aluminum that Apple has used for these machines. Sad that not many people in the comments are aware either. He may have just caused a lot of problems with that video, particularly in acting like he knows something, when in fact he knows nothing.

Wish he would have posted a follow up video 3 months later.

--Travis

I would have to agree--not a good thing to do. It makes me wonder, though, if the sharp edge is on every MBP, or if there are a few out there that weren't properly deburred before they were anodized.

Did come across this product that might help, and it doesn't involve doing anything to the computer:

http://www.imakproducts.com/product.php?c=Wrist/+CarpalTunnel&s=20128

I found these in stock at Office Depot for $15 and at Office Max for $13. They are packaged so that you can try them on and see if they position your hand so that you miss the edge. Maybe worth a try.

I too has got one of these "cutting edge" mac book pro. I´m really surprised that these problems has not been addressed before production. This (2010) is my first macbook pro, and I´m even more surprised when I see that this has been a problem for a couple of years already. Doesn't BIG STEEVE use a macbook pro himself ? Except for that - a great computer!

sometimes I throw posture out the window when I am slouching on the couch trying to do a little work while the wife feeds that baby by my side.

slouching puts your outer palm directly on the edge.... ouch. bummer.

My last MBP 17" from late 2008 did not have this sharp edge.

I completely agree with everyone distressed by the sharp edge. perhaps Apple is trying to enforce good hand posture through negative stimuli.
I actually asked about this at the apple store today and the guy there said he has heard this from many people and that one should "send feedback" to apple because of course they are listening. anyone know where to do that?
my solution has been to get some of those gel wrist supports to keep my wrists up. they have pretty nonskid bottoms but haven't tried them lying in bed to see if they help. the ones i have came from intelligels, but I'm sure there are of dozens similar things out there.

Apple should boldly admit the wrong design.. and find a solution to it which should be replacing such laptops of customers world wide with soft edges one..till the time this is done they should provide long wrist bands to the customers so that they wear them while working on apple laptops...

RogerWilco,

Where did you get that "resting on the edge when typing or using the track pad, it's bad hand posture"?

There are not any studies that prove this. If you look deep into it there are only about 6 studies total worldwide over computer ergonomics and only one of them doesnt contradict itself. I have been doing it for almost two decades and no problems with the wrist.

Sorry to be so rough but dont give Apple such an easy out and get deprogrammed.

This is clearly a bad design on Apples Part. In my short Mac life I have found Apple is very Arrogant and their support is weak and full of excuses.

I called about the battery not lasting long in sleep mode and was told that 2 days is average. My three year old Dell notebook will go over 2 weeks easily and still have some charge.

I called about the an Apple router not working with my Panasonic camera not working, which did work very well with a much cheaper router. They told me to call Panasonic because they have a very good support team....

On the same call as above I had a Fujitsu tablet that did not work wireless and they did not have a clue.

My only question is how did Apple brainwash so many people to think that they are so perfect?

Come on Apple fix it, give a refund or get out of the business.

Raider