Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, MacBook
My MacBook cuts like a knife
I have a long history of being immune to most of the widespread problems that people tend to have with Apple hardware, but today my luck has run out. I have started using a new MacBook (black, thanks for asking) as a replacement for my aging 12-inch Powerbook. Although I hate the extra weight it adds to my backpack, the speed and functionality the MacBook offers when I am on-the-go made it appealing enough for me to finally give in.
Until yesterday I'd been mostly using an external keyboard and mouse with the MacBook since I haven't had to lug it around with me much lately. But since I am a mobile blogging machine here at Macworld, I am using the built-in keyboard and trackpad all week and realizing that all those reports I read about the edges on some MacBooks being sharp as a Ginsu are true: my own MacBook is afflicted.In the past 24 hours my wrists and forearms have become tattooed with little slice marks and my MacBook has already drawn blood when I scraped my thumb on the edge while clumsily reaching for a cable. I have a fairly high threshold for pain, but this is really starting to hurt! Boy, is this going to be a looong week.
I figured some foam wrist-wrest pads might help, but the only ones I could find use adhesive and I am not about to "stick" anything to my MacBook that isn't removable without resorting to Goo Gone. I'm tempted to walk over to the Apple Store on Stockton and see if I can talk them into replacing/exchanging it under warranty with the hopes that the newer one wouldn't be as sharp, but there's, um, some Mac thing going on in town this week so the Apple Store is a bit busy.
If you're looking for me at Macworld this week, I won't be hard to spot. I'll be the chick with the bloody gauze wrapped around her arms. Feel free to share your own pain in the comments if your Macbook cuts like a knife, too!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
william said 7:22PM on 1-08-2007
My edges are definitely sharp, but not to the point of cutting. Sure you haven't just gone emo there, Laurie?
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Draiz said 7:46PM on 1-08-2007
Well, I don't think my macbook is afflicted... Either that or I'm the new man of steel!
Of course, it could also be because I just received mine today and Apple revised that issue to prevent me from hurting my fragile wrists!
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Si said 7:59PM on 1-08-2007
I can push my hand as hard as possible against the edge of my MacBook and run my hand along it and it doesn't cut. Although, its definitely sharp. It seems much sharper along the sides (above the CD slot especially) so maybe the edges have just worn slightly on mine. I *think* it was sharper when I bought it...
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Timus said 7:59PM on 1-08-2007
I'm typing this on my Macbook Pro and have never had a prob with scratches. Maybe you're possesed. I think the girl in the Exorcist got lots of mysterious scratches. ;)
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Rafe said 8:00PM on 1-08-2007
This is my biggest complaint of my MacBook. It's just downright painful to rest my palms on the front edge for too long.
I've debated with friends about this. There seem to be two camps:
One that primarily uses the keyboard, so their palms rest alongside the trackpad. No pain.
One that primarily uses the trackpad, so their palms rest on the front of the MacBook, directly over the knife blade. Lot's 'o pain.
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Jordan Chark said 8:16PM on 1-08-2007
Mine was much sharper when I bought it, When I used to just touch the sides it cut me. But after a few months of wear and tear even if I run my fingers on the sides, it won't cut me.
Rafe: I do primarily use the trackpad, but cutting hasn't really been an issue since my Mac was brand new.
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Dmitry said 8:21PM on 1-08-2007
It does get painful after a while, but not unbearably painful. As long as it's on your lap, to minimize the angle the wrists are, you're fine.
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Alan said 8:41PM on 1-08-2007
I'm not having any problems with my MacBook and my MacBook Pros. I'd recommend taking it into an Apple store to have it replaced. That would be considered a production error. If you have a problem with that, contact me.
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AJ said 8:52PM on 1-08-2007
Why not take an emery board to the sharp edges and file them down?
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Jay said 9:05PM on 1-08-2007
It's true! I work at a computer store and I once met a man who used very fine sandpaper on his black MacBook and lived to tell about it! Very subtle look, no scratches--no cuts!!
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Alex Neier said 9:15PM on 1-08-2007
I got my macbook in august and I have written length things on the built in keyboard with no cuts. Maybe one of those Iskin covers?
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Nick said 9:19PM on 1-08-2007
My MacBook does this as well, and it's almost six months old. It's just a function of the fact that the top of the bottom casing has a very square finishing edge.
For my own fix, I went out and bought some white duct tape (though you'd probably want black) and cut some very thin strips (about 1/4" wide) and run them along the front edge. It does leave some residue, but you can use some light nail polish remover to take it off without causing damage to your precious.
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Chrisobcr said 9:28PM on 1-08-2007
my macbook has sliced my forearms a few times... and it hurts more than it sounds!!
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Tracy said 9:29PM on 1-08-2007
Mine is definitely painfully sharp. Although I must say, I don't really notice now since I've had it for so long. Maybe you get used to it? Or your skin toughens? ;-) Either way, I feel your pain.
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Matt V said 9:59PM on 1-08-2007
Bryan Adams said that even though it cuts like a knife it feels so right...
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Dylan said 10:08PM on 1-08-2007
I had the same issue even with my Macbook Pro, and I'm constantly amazed at the number of people who are willing to put up with it. I carefully taped off the edges with blue painting tape, got some 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper, and 15 minutes later the sharp edge was gone forever. People I've pointed it out to have said it looks like it came from the factory like that. I know you have a Macbook (not Pro) but I got the idea from someone who had sanded their regular Macbook edges, and it looked like it was far more comfortable. Yeah, I should pick up my wrists, but at the same time Apple should stop letting design override comfort. Just my 02.
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Gimp said 10:13PM on 1-08-2007
try taking some sandpaper and using that if you're willing. probably need to put a bit of touch up paint on though.
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Jason said 10:41PM on 1-08-2007
But does it blend?
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Will said 10:59PM on 1-08-2007
I originally had a similar problem when I first got my Macbook. However, since then, I bought the Marware protection pack, and I find myself less aggravated with the edges.
Also, Speck's new hard shell casing for the Macbooks is quite excellent. Attaching the DVI is a bit problematic, but otherwise it feels great and I'm not worried about scratching the shell anymore.
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John Faughnan said 11:31PM on 1-08-2007
Apple has always used a bit of sex appeal to sell Macs, the MacBook is simply taking that one step further by adding a bit of kinky pain to the relationship.
Seriously, it is a stupid design. I've learned to hold my wrists in a very well aligned position, so maybe it's real use is to limit carpal tunnel syndrome. I think the edges do wear with use, I suspect some delicate buffing or scrubbing of the edge would work wonders.
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