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Help for Sharp Edges

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the Apple Store to try the new Macbook.

The screen is gorgeous, crisp, colorful and clear and a vastly welcomed improvement to the iBook's pale and difficult to read screen. Adjusting brightness levels may help reduce any glare or eyestrain problems.

The keyboard, with its reduced padding, feels like it was designed for stylish looks and not especially for long-term comfort. A workaround might be to reduce typing pressure and also to add an external keyboard for home use.

The palm rests are another story. They're an ergonomic catastrophe. The edges of the Macbook are so sharp that using the trackpad for a short while quickly induced pain in my hand.

Can anyone suggest ways to reduce edge pressure and sharpness and make an otherwise great laptop less ergonomically lethal to my palm and wrist? Thank you.

Posted on May 18, 2006 6:04 PM

79 replies

Dec 17, 2006 1:16 PM in response to Nathan21

all i have to say for everyone who is complaining
about these so-called "sharp edges" is wow. i would
much rather have a beautiful machine that works
perfectly than a bulky rounded edge ugly duckling.
the edges arent even remotely sharp to me. the
machine wouldnt even shut flush if the edges were
rounded, not to mention it would look like a 1980's
machine. either you people havent ever endured real
pain or you have nothing else to gripe about. its
just plain ridiculous that some people would rather
buy a linux or even a windows( ewww ) machine simply
because they cant type correctly. sorry apple doesnt
accomodate peoples bad typing postures. maybe its
the people that cry about the not-so-sharp edges
that should change becuase apple has captured beauty
and reliability and i commend them for that. suck
it up folks, or get a tissue, either way im tired of
you wasting valuable/helpful space with this
nonsense. so either stop or start donating
babysitting fees for those of us who have to listen
to the crying. sharp edges...give me a
break.

Macbook C2D 1GB
160HDD Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Now there's an attitude for you! (size issue?)

Jan 7, 2007 12:34 PM in response to Dorothy Engleman

The sharp edges are, IMO, a major and irresponsible
design gaffe. No one should have to file down the
edges of an almost two thousand laptop!!

Agreed. The sharp edges are a design flaw, and I find them incredibly annoying. We just upgraded from our old ibook to the new macbook, and these edges irritate my hands like crazy. The fact that you would have to modify a brand new macbook right out of the box is kind of dissapointing, considering how cool it is otherwise. (And doesn't seem like something Apple would normally look past).

Also, to those who think it's a blessing in disguise to teach proper posture.... We're not even talking about it just cutting your wrists... I don't even notice it when I type... it's when I use the dang trackpad that I have that sharp edge digging into my hand. A brand new macbook should NOT come that way.

Thanks for posting this Dorothy, I was curious if anyone else was bothered by it. I thought it might just be me. 🙂

-Ben

MacBook-White Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM

MacBook-White Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM

Jan 7, 2007 12:52 PM in response to Dorothy Engleman

I agree the sharp edges are a poor design flaw, especially coming from the well rounded iBook edges. I've had my Macbook 6 weeks and love it, but this is an unnecessary irritation. I find though they are not bothering me much now, and forget about them nearly all the while. Perhaps I'm just adjusting my hands unconsciously. I find it most noticeable on trains, I think the table is higher thus forcing wrists closer to the edges. But I work on trains a lot and even there am not noticing it much now. I might smooth them down a little, but as they have become a very minor issue I'll see how it goes. Its just irritating that Apple don't take more care, given the premium they charge.

Bob

creg30

Level 1

5 points

Jan 8, 2007 7:21 PM in response to Dorothy Engleman

Typing isn't the problem, the sharp edges literally become a pain when using the trackpad for an extended length of time. It seems like some of the more sarcastic posters miss that point entirely. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a design flaw, more like user comfort took a back seat to design.

Newtson

Level 1

71 points

Jan 8, 2007 8:35 PM in response to creg30

I bet that I am on my Macbook 5-6 hours a day and there are no sharp edges at all.

I do have to echo the advice given here that that the wrists should not touch the laptop when typing though.

Also, only my fingers touch the touch pad,

I was surprised to read about discoloration on the areas next to the touch pad, as i never touch the laptop there, Now, i am even more surprised to read about the sharp edges.

I bought my Macbook from Apple as refurbished. It is my 3rd "ibook."

Jan 8, 2007 10:52 PM in response to Newtson

I bet that I am on my Macbook 5-6 hours a day and
there are no sharp edges at all.
...
Now, i am even more surprised to read
about the sharp edges.

People are not making it up. The edge is square (no rounded corner), and the palms of the hands set on this edge with using the mousepad (maybe not everybody's, but probably thousands of users).

There are two reasons to point this out.
1. So Apple can make a small adjustment to the case design spec.
2. Maybe somebody has some practical ideas of how to smooth the edge.

I bought my Macbook from Apple as refurbished. It is
my 3rd "ibook."

(3rd ibook??? We're talking about the macbook (not ibook, not macbook-pro)

guykuo

Level 1

44 points

Jan 9, 2007 1:25 AM in response to C Webber1

It only takes a few minutes to slightly round the edges, but I don't recommend an emory board. You can achieve a much smoother and polished bevel using a nail filing STONE or ceramic "file". These are rigid and finer grit than than ordinary emory boards. The rigidity makes them easier to control and take off just the sharpest portion of the plastic without affecting the remainder of the case. Done with a nail filing stone, the completed bevel is silky smooth and looks like a polished factory finish even upon close examination.

Jan 9, 2007 3:41 AM in response to Dorothy Engleman

Simple remedy: get some sort of one inch thick pad place it right in front of the trackpad and voila. btw i discovered this using my mathbook while i was supposed to be doing Equations and Inequalities.

Jan 9, 2007 7:41 AM in response to Alex Chau

Simple remedy: get some sort of one inch thick pad
place it right in front of the trackpad and voila.
btw i discovered this using my mathbook while i was
supposed to be doing Equations and Inequalities.

Most people who bought the MacBook, actually consider it a portable.

Carrying some sort of pad everywhere you go is not practical. Takes too much space, and wouldn't work when you're using the MacBook on the airplane.

rynojoy

Level 1

95 points

Jan 9, 2007 7:59 AM in response to Dorothy Engleman

I think anyone complaining about the palm rests are just looking for something to whine about. I have used numerous macbooks and not one of them came anywhere near to being uncomfortable let alone "cutting my wrists". If yours is cutting your wrists your have a problem and you need to send it in. Otherwise just be happy you have a nice computer.

Newtson

Level 1

71 points

Jan 9, 2007 8:12 AM in response to rynojoy

My MacBook has no problem with roughness or sharpness. I have had it 3 weeks, but it was a refurb - so I wouldn't think that it ia a different model.

I wouldn't like to have to cover the trackpad, etc. with something, either.

BUT - if you have to ... what about that thin piece of foam that comes with your laptop when it is closed? I saw another slightly thicker piece of foam come in a box yesterday, with a battery.

I wish I was able to compare my MacBook side by side with yours, Dorothy. Best of luck and let us know what happens.

Jan 9, 2007 8:16 AM in response to rynojoy

I think anyone complaining about the palm rests are
just looking for something to whine about. I have
used numerous macbooks and not one of them came
anywhere near to being uncomfortable let alone
"cutting my wrists". If yours is cutting your wrists
your have a problem and you need to send it in.
Otherwise just be happy you have a nice computer.

So let me get this straight...

You've used "numerous" Macbooks, and therefore we are wrong because we find it uncomfortable?

rynojoy

Level 1

95 points

Jan 9, 2007 8:21 AM in response to C Webber1

Every single macbook, including mine, the palm rest have not been sharp enough to complain about. I can run my wrists along the side of my macbook with no discomfort at all. The same goes with all the others I have used. So you are correct I think you guys are just looking for something to complain about.

Jan 9, 2007 3:30 PM in response to rynojoy

Every single macbook,...
...The same goes with all the others I have used...

LOL

You've made your point. We are either wrong about the sharp edges, or we have tender wrists. Now go away.

PS: You might want to spend a bit more time on your writing and spelling, rather than forcing your opinions on others. Your home state is spelled Missouri (not Missori).

Jan 9, 2007 8:41 PM in response to C Webber1

as a user of the macbook, i would have to disagree with the complainer. the edges are not noticeably sharp, nor do the "cut" int my arms, wrists, or palms unless i press down to hard. as an added note, learn proper typing posture! your wrists should never! be resting on the edge of the computer, because that can, has, and will cause carpal tunnel syndrome

Help for Sharp Edges