I've grown to appreciate unapologetic trolling of people who care way too much about what other people do to themselves or their own private property.

The flame war on whether the original chassis design sucks or rocks is not that interesting.

See https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/s/hbyVh5SJhw for another poor soul with the same caustic skin

Co-worker 1: Interesting. I wonder if that voids the warranty. It's Apple you know.

Co-worker 2: May Jobs have mercy on their soul...

Co-worker 3: Not a bad idea. But not sure if that would cause problems with structural integrity of the laptop, like if you drop it or something.

Co-worker 4: The only downside I see is that you can no longer say "Hey, that's a sharp-looking laptop!"

Author's another post on "The Seasons are Wrong" [0] is excellent too and I fully support both approaches.

[0] https://kentwalters.com/posts/seasons/

I've got no idea why, but the sharp feeling is amazing.

[1] https://x.com/andrewculver/status/1297575768520716288/photo/...

The edges are indeed extremely uncomfortable, not to mention how cold it is in winter.

Luckily its just sitting on a stand 99.9% of the time

And yes, why are they so sharp?

I seem to recall my wife having the plastic MacBook that came out circa 2006 and the edges on that thing were legitimately painful.

I always marvel at how sharp the points are on the notch of the lid on my current MacBook. Very very pointy.

The power to personalize should not be underestimated--even at the cost of durability and overall functionality.

Since I mentioned Tahoe, it bears repeating, my spotlight is still broken.

[0] https://ljpuk.net/2025/05/23/how-does-the-space-black-macboo...

is this an employer-issued computer? Like if I did something similar on my DELL laptop (us lowly devs at %DAY_JOB% don't have Macs), management would be up my ass the minute they saw this, if only because the maintenance agreement the company has with our supplier will likely be voided for my machine.

- Sharp edges eat into my forearms.

- Glossy screen makes it hard to see when it's light out.

- The keys have a real hard stop when you press on them which tires out my hands.

- An arrogant desire to obsolete ports.

I don't understand the appeal of the machine, it feels like style over function everywhere.

I'm strongly convinced that modern iPhones designed to use in case as basic idea, while using iPhone without case is like using that Nokia phone unit when you take the housing off. In that case I think that iPad with magnetic keyboard (which is soft-touch plastic) is the future of Apple mobile computers.

I think there must be a better solution than a file, like an attachment to effectively round the edges, or even something like fingerless gloves.

On the other hand Apple always replace the top case when the keyboard needs changing so the filing approach may not be entirely insane. It might send a message to Apple.

I like the idea of fully blending the notch, rather than just rounding slightly. Looks comfy and distinct!

Totally fine to do whatever you want to your personal belongings though.

Bold move to do this on your work Macbook. I'd be too worried of getting chased down with a bill when returning the laptop eventually.

I would love to see the guys reactions when you have to give this back.

Also a little bit pedantry, you seem to have mostly filed the edge off, which seemed to be the real issue, the corners on that center divet are filed off, but its mostly edges

Are your wrists supposed to be coming into contact with that? I suspect many of us have bad posture and do rest our wrists like that, but if your concern is wrist comfort, you probably want to consider that you're going out of your way to enable harmful posture.

The machine is fine and I didn’t even have to adjust the screen as it was still correctly in place but on that corner the aluminium lifted up forming a mountain shape, about 2 mm tall and very sharp.

Not only this was uncomfortable, but it also meant I couldn’t close the lid properly and might eventually crack the screen from it, so I filed it away. Like OP, I started with a pretty gritty file to get most of the tip off, then finished with a multi-tool with the sanding attachment. I went through a few grits but I got bored long before it was smooth.

In the end, I actually liked the look, and have been considering going all around like OP. I may have to do it now.

I have to say that I now access the 8 or so machines across my LAN and VPS via a Macbook Air rested on my lap, either through RDP or SSH. I probably use this 80% of the time. Because the machine is on my lap, held up at about 30 degrees on my lap, I can't say I ever noticed the sharp edges, until this post!

Thank you Apple, you have taken designed obsolescence to a new level.

Depending on exactly how much magnesium is in the alloy, metal shavings can be highly flammable and otherwise hazardous.

I think it's fine to mess with stuff like this, just make sure you know what you can do safely to the materials.

I also think you're an animal and need to be stopped before you do more damage to perfectly well designed machines.

To my eye, it is like the patina that your favorite tools get.

I’m looking at you, 40 year old tape measure.

I filed my work dell laptop too. Very different feel, but it is nice not living in feel of your own stuff.

I suppose I would prefer it nice and rounded and soft on my wrist - but I don't feel like it's quite as extreme as this thread would have you believe lol

This is a particularly hilarious customization both for its combined utility and shock value and also for doing it on a work computer.

It’s quite an annoying flaw, and i’ve only had this problem with the machines since the M1 redesign

All the same, hell yeah.

Most Apple laptops, such as the latest Pro's, are level, rather than tapered, and sit flat so that the user-facing edge cuts into your wrists. It's bad ergonomics, plain and simple. If you value function over form enough to modify your tools in this way, choose better tools.

Few years back, I tried to look on reddit for complaints regarding this - barely anything.

A bit of 220 grit sandpaper and all the sharp edges are smooth and it actually looks pretty cool. I was grimacing at first but now I like the feel.

Respect.

I definitely empathize with "concerned I would file through the machine."

Very minor "you can just do things" collides with the "infallible object" presence that Apple wants for its products - almost feels "wrong", but it's a nice norm to break.

(and I'm not a "Cult of Mac" guy)

Not sure if the Apple Silicon devices have the same issue - but it was consistent through at least 3 different generations.

The channel’s Swiss host is famous for removing sharp edges from metal things.

Since the edge has been filed away, the rubber seal on the screen would no longer presses against the edge of the body protecting the screen.

There’s a sharp corner there is unnecessary.

Unless you fly/train travel alot I guess.

Form only matters to a tool if function and usability are present, otherwise that object becomes more like art than a tool.

only the biggest POS tools have bad ergonomics on the industrial side. The real quality tools, the ones meant to be used on the factory floor or in a production line, think of human ergonomics first .

I would probably be considering that as I took a file to my laptop in order to keep it from cutting into my skin as I used it.

I applaud the ingenuity, but I detest the concept of aesthetic-first engineering without a thought for the human user of the thing. Vote with your dollar.

In the case of parent : I admire your ability to cope and the chutzpah it took to take a file to company property.

on a side note : I think it's absolutely fascinating in every Apple thread watching users trade tips on how to avoid electric shock, electrolytic/chemical pitting, and skin cuts like it's just normal computing worries. You folks have some thick skin to keep at it. I would be rubberizing the whole damn thing after the first zap.

So I took some 1000 grit sand paper for metal and gently wet sanded the edge. If you rotate it a little you can get a very small radius evenly around the edge and it will keep a nice finish that matches brushed aluminum.

I'd actually feel comfortable doing this to a Macbook having done it to the drawer handles. Just use little pressure, back the paper with something flat, and check your progress often. It takes very little to remove the sharpness to the edge, to the point it's hard to see with the naked eye.

... it means the OPs job does not provide external monitors and proper keyboards :)

He honestly seems like a terrible designer, which seems corroborated by him doing nothing of remote interest outside of Apple and barely inside it. The items that are regarded as design epochs, like the iPod, we're not his.

https://www.andar.com/products/the-helm

The fact that any conscious human being has the time or energy to be "freaked out" about someone futzing around with their own devices is astounding to me.

Damn good advice.

I know people hate apple and I get it but like if you sign the pact with the devil you get many benefits from that ecosystem

Besides I can’t imagine going back to windows, I would have to use Linux. It wouldn’t be a tragedy alright but I am at the point where I like less customization and more the readiness and it just works aspect

I never found comfort in the endangered Linux ricing communities either that usually enriches the experience above just OS

Preach.

Bet this person never heard about FAFO

Meanwhile a very important object called "Orion CM-003 Integrity" of the Artemis II mission is about to splash-down on Earth in 35 mins.