Sharp Edges?

I was excited to pick up a MacBook today, but since I've been using it it's hard to keep my mind off of the discomfort caused by the sharp plastic edges on the case around the keyboard.

I've been shifting around trying to minimize it, but this strikes me as the kind of thing that would have been pointed out the first time a prototype was handed to someone for testing. Seems like a no-brainer to avoid raw edges where people rest their hands and wrists; I'm coming from a G3 iBook and I've used a number of other laptops and never seen anything quite like this.

I'm hoping that using it for a few days will lead me to a comfortable compromise, but it's enough of an issue that if I wasn't looking forward to a restocking fee I'd likely return it and wait for the issue to be resolved (or just buy something else).

Does anyone else have the same impression of the case or did I just get a particularly raw casting?

Nick

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on May 17, 2006 1:09 AM

30 replies

keith28

Level 1

2 points

May 31, 2006 7:59 PM in response to Juice Searls

By raising your wrists, arms and shoulders cause strain on the back.
Syudies show that as well as driving with strearing wheel of the car.
That's is why armrests are there to support the arms.
Well, the same goes for working at a desk or laptop computer.
The arm, hands and wrists need support.

The support the MacBook has is aweful.
Just like resting on a knife blade.
This is a poor design and someone should be fired for such a design.

While clearly a design oversight, I'm all for
anything that gets me to type properly: keeping my
wrists elevated by the strength of my own
arms/shoulders included.

May 31, 2006 8:27 PM in response to The_Incubator

I must be the only one that doesn't have a problem at all! I don't feel any of this! Mine does not feel sharp to me at all.

keith28

Level 1

2 points

May 31, 2006 9:02 PM in response to YourLordAndMaster

They should have a recall on the MacBook.
It is ridiculous how much discomfort there is.

Ricky Yu

Level 1

0 points

May 31, 2006 9:13 PM in response to keith28

OK ppl, mine hurts like ****. I think there are no Apple engineers only DESIGNERS

Solution: get an external keyboard, use the Macbook keyboard only if needed.

Ricky
Costa Rica

keith28

Level 1

2 points

May 31, 2006 9:17 PM in response to Ricky Yu

It's not just the keyboard, it is the mouse pad too.

I hardly ever use the keyboard.
I use the mouse pad more.
I do a lot of graphics and drawing on my MacBook.

el jeffe

Level 1

30 points

Jun 1, 2006 9:27 PM in response to keith28

Yup. I ended up spending $50 for a bluetooth mouse so I won't have to touch the **** thing.
Oh, but the apple logo looks so cool at Starbucks.

keith28

Level 1

2 points

Jun 2, 2006 12:48 AM in response to el jeffe

You really can use a mouse when your using it on your lap.

What did you mean the Apple logo looks good at Starbucks?

Jun 2, 2006 1:06 AM in response to keith28

What did you mean the Apple logo looks good at
Starbucks?

I think he means the cool factor! Whenever I see soemone using a Mac at Starbucks I think he/she gets it.

JudeB

Level 1

0 points

Jun 2, 2006 6:42 AM in response to JudeB

An update. I got some very fine sandpaper, taped up the holes for the optical drive and the various ports, taped along the front so that I wouldn't accidentally scratch it, even covered the track pad for good measure (to avoid tiny dust particles) and it took ten minutes.

Worked for me. Your mileage may vary. It voids your warranty but (as I understand it) only if what you did is related to the damage that you're actually claiming under warranty. Hence taping the machine up tight.

Apple does not recommend you do this. I didn't see a ready alternative.

keith28

Level 1

2 points

Jun 2, 2006 6:49 AM in response to Adrian Langford

I thought he was talking about a merger at first.
But there is always a cool factor no matter where you are if you have a mac

🙂

I just would not brag about the new MacBook, because there are too many design and engineering flaws.

Jun 2, 2006 7:51 AM in response to The_Incubator

Heh. I had the exact same trouble with my wedding ring. It is a flat band - and the edges were 90 degree angles. After 2 days, I went back to the jewlrey store and asked them to round out the edges for me. They did and all was well. I am probably going to get a Macbook next month, and I will probably do the same thing to the front of the case.

keith28

Level 1

2 points

Jun 2, 2006 8:02 AM in response to evilempire

eveilempire, you are funny. LOL

Jun 8, 2006 1:08 AM in response to The_Incubator

If you are a multi-tasker thinking about ending it all, now you can go out in grand style with the help of your MacBook. Yes, thanks to the near razor-sharp edges on the case, you can slash your wrists as you type your suicide note.

So, other than that, how was Dallas, Mrs. Kennedy?

macbook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

macbook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Jun 8, 2006 1:50 AM in response to The_Incubator

JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW:

MacBook 2.0ghz 2Gig ram & mac mini G4 1.42 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Jun 8, 2006 9:04 AM in response to Rockwallaby

Nice try, Rockwallaby, and you're sort of right, but as your drawings so sharply (if you'll forgive the pun) illustrate, the normal keyboard is somewhat inclined, with the edge rounded and probably no more than 1/2" from the keys, whereas the MacBook keyboard (and most laptops) is flat with an edge roughly 4 inches wide, creating just the kind of natural wrist rest and support you would get from one of those ergonomic gel pad gizmos. Nor do the drawings take into account the fact of trackpad use, which causes your wrist to constantly rub against the edge. Face it, a recall is in order here. Meanwhile, to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, we should all start practicing the time-honored arched-wrist position just as you suggest.

macbook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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Sharp Edges?