Filing the Sharp Edges Off a MacBook
Ken Walters (via Hacker News):
The bottom edge of the MacBook is very sharp. Indeed, the industrial designers at Apple chose an aluminum unibody partly for the fact that it can handle such a geometry. But, it is uncomfortable on my wrists, and I believe strongly in customizing one's tools, so I filed it off.
The corner is sharp all around the machine, but it's particularly pointed at the notch, which is where I focused my effort. It was quite pleasing to blend the smaller radius curves into the larger radius notch curve. I was slightly concerned that I'd file through the machine, so I did this in increments. It didn't end up being an issue.
I wrote about this issue 8 years ago (wherein I argued that 2006 was the best MacBook Pro design ever)[…]
I keep mentioning this and the too-large, unreliable trackpad.
Previously:
- Shiny MacBook Keys
- Please Shrink the Trackpad
- Upgrading to a 16-inch MacBook Pro
- The 16-inch MacBook Pro
- Apple’s “Loop You In” Event
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I love the trackpad but I too don't understand why they decided to make the corner this sharp.
They purposely went to a whole lot of pointless and counterproductive effort to chop the corners off all the software windows, but then made sure the otherwise smooth lid opening area has an extremely sharp point on it.
Count me among the sharp-corner haters. I've mentioned this several times in TidBITS:
https://tidbits.com/2025/06/30/switching-from-a-27-inch-imac-to-a-14-inch-macbook-pro-a-fresh-start/
https://tidbits.com/2022/03/05/apple-design-macs-for-other-types-of-professionals/
I use a Grifiti wrist pad in front of my MacBook Pro for this reason.
The trackpad *technology* is great. Second to none. But the *size* sucks balls. Way too large. And don't get me started about the sharp edges. All of them, not just around the trackpad. Regarding most of the rest of the hardware, the MacBooks are great "computers" (ever closer to being appliances, unfortunately) - but who signs off crap like that?
I'm with Michael when it comes to trackpad size. I'd prefer a slightly taller gap between the trackpad and the keyboard so there's more space to rest your fingers. I often end up with glitchy mouse & scroll behavior because one of my fingers is accidentally resting on the edge of the trackpad.
+1 re the size of the trackpad. If the top were just a bit lower, I could live with it, but as it is, I keep brushing it while typing. I really wish Apple would remedy this because it makes keeping up a decent rate of typing difficult.
That, and the corners, yes. Though I'll not be shaving my notebooks.
