Sharp Edges on Mac Book Pro

Mea culpa to mnq (above) who posted the videos of a guy (maybe him) who took a large metal file to his MBP to file down the sharp edges. I said above, that I wouldn't ever do that... but then got to thinking if the file were less industrial looking, maybe...

So I used the finer of the two, diamond encrusted files on my Leatherman® WAVE, very gently and the razor sharp edge did get 80% blunted. Then I used a small piece of 000 steel wool and cleaned up any rough edges from the file work. Now it's not near as sharp and painful, and it in no perceivable way destroyed the look of the machine. But... as someone else said, Apple should definitely round those corners in the next gen of this MBP.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

Welcome to Apple Discussions 🙂

Your wrists should not be anywhere near the edge of the laptop when typing that's bad ergonomics and posture ...

Try placing a book or something the same thickness in front so your wrists don't hang down in that way.

In defence to Michael he is correct

Taken from http://www.safecomputingtips.com/laptop-ergonomics-tips.html

"9. Avoid resting your wrists while typing. Keep your wrists as flat as possible. Use whole hand and arm movements to navigate the Laptop Ergonomics keyboard. Avoid bending your neck and head forward to see the screen. This is the way to arrange your seating posture to avoid Ergonomic Laptop disorders."

I can understand that resting your wrist on that area hurts, but even if it were rounded off
#1 the design would look funny from a side profile view.
#2 Components would have to be smaller as the fillet in the aluminum would need support as to not deform under pressure.

and lastly and most important.
#3 "Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist." resting your wrist on that area wether sharp or rounded WILL CAUSE CARPEL TUNNEL. In fact one reason why I like that it is sharp is that it keeps my wrists off it. Must like a stove is hot so you won't touch it.

I hope you can easily correct your habits. In fact Michaels suggestion is a great easy fix form most people. But if you insist doing work on your lap they make pads/stands for that.

FYI Apple does not recommend the use of their notebook computers on laps, for several reasons. Air flow is restricted and people tend to use bad ergonomics. Apple recommends the use of their notebook computers on a flat surface like a table or desk.

http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro/care/
"General Safety Instructions
Read and follow all instructions marked on the product and in the manual before operating your MacBook Pro. Be sure to keep the instructions handy for your reference and for others.
Set your MacBook Pro on a stable work surface.
Keep your computer away from sources of liquids, such as drinks, sinks, bathtubs, shower stalls, and so on.
Protect your computer from dampness or wet weather, such as rain, snow, and fog.
The MacBook Pro power adapter port contains a magnet. Do not place magnetically sensitive material or devices within 1 inch (25 mm) of this port.
Never push objects of any kind into the MacBook Pro ventilation openings."

Yes, designed without ergonomics in mind at all...

the threadstarter is right. I've owned a half dozen laptops, both Macs and PCs, and I have never experienced this pain and sharp cutting into the wrist before. Generally, I can be on my older laptops for hours before my wrists begin to fatigue. With the MBP (which I love, btw...) it is literally within 20 minutes they're feeling sensitive and painful from the constant leaning against the sharp edges. It's just annoying, and probably not good for the nerves.

It shouldn't matter whether or not you have correct posture, as you're going to regularly bump against it, as it is simply a bad place to put sharp edges. Common sense, really.

For those of you blindly defending what is essentially poor ergonomic design, give it a rest. It's a clear product flaw. If you cared about Apple, you would help it make better products...

Steve Lessard Jr wrote:

If the edges were rounded off, and did not cause discomfort, and millions of people complained because they all developed carpal tunnel syndrome because their MBP supported bad ergonomics.

BTW I used my friends dell on my lap for about 10 minutes. His dell is plastic and has rounded off corners...and guess what... MY WRISTS HAD MARKS!

OK, first of all, you're using the term ergonomics incorrectly: Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability.


So, you're saying that Apple put those sharp edges there in order to correct the posture of people not practicing "ergonomics" (what you meant was "correct posture", but I understood what you were trying to say).

That is a bit sadistic, and intrusive, isn't it?

I just think you're wrong. It is bad design, ergonomics were not factored in, and they don't really care. It's no secret, for Apple: Aesthetics > Ergonomics


PS- That iPhone 4 you have? "You're holding it wrong."

I'm not a big feedback guy. I never write letters to companies or fill out comment cards 🙂 But, I have to say something about this just because I'm a huge fan of Apple. I love everything about Apple. I love the OS. I love your hardware. The design of your products. Everything. I have pretty much every mac product. But I have to give up on using a Mac as my main computer due to this sharp edge problem. I've tried putting up with it. I've tried different models (MBP 15, MBP 13, MBA). And they are all fine when using them at a desk. But when using them in any other position (what laptops are for!) is just downright painful. I can't use them for more than 10 mins without getting soar. I see that other people have no problems with it.... maybe it's just the makeup of my arm/hand length. I dunno. But, I just know it's not comfortable at all. So just letting you guys know! I don't want to do it... but I put in an order for a pc laptop (bleh) for the sake of my wrists. Hopefully I can get Mac OS loaded on it 🙂

I heard thats how it was designed...

Well ..

Easy fix. Return it for a refund, get another one, or get this one fixed.

You shouldn't be getting "cuts" while using a Mac, or any other computer for that matter.

I agree they should be rounded edges whether I have bad ergonomics or not I shouldn't have to deal with this

I really like the sharp edges. Hopefully they will keep them. Part of the industrial design.