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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Analysis / Opinion Hardware MacBook

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...

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JRO

I HAVE A GREAT SOLUTION REALLY
My macbook really bothered me from the start. I too the loop-fuzzy side of two inch wide velcro and put it on either side of the track pad. I even got white velcro. Lots of people ask me where I got it--after aboout 3 months, they got a little disclolored. I just cut two new pieces, and it looks good as new.
Try it you will like it.
JRO CORLAW.

February 03 2007 at 10:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chris

If you want tape that sticks but comes off clean when you want it to, you need gaffer tape. Duct tape sticks very well, sure, but leaves some nasty residue.

Preferrably, you can find some 1200 grit sandpaper and gently ease the sharp edges away. Go slow and light.

Chris

January 09 2007 at 10:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Wolf Gang

You are not supposed to embrace your MacBook.

January 09 2007 at 6:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

DWizzy

I bought my mom a MacBook, never heard of these sharp edges before I was quite surprised myself by those edges. My Powerbook sure is comfy compared to her MacBook (white, thanks for asking)
Can't say it makes me look like a wrist cutting emo, though.

January 09 2007 at 3:44 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

GJD

I'd expect nothing less from cutting edge technology.

January 09 2007 at 3:17 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

sine nomine

I've been visiting a white MacBook in Comp USA for a few months, and I've yet to notice sharp edges. Is this one of those things like the yellowed plastic and overheating that Apple will quietly take care of...or I guess they took care them, since no one says much about them anymore?

January 09 2007 at 12:57 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

eccramer

Cheer up Emo Kid!

January 08 2007 at 11:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

John Faughnan

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.

January 08 2007 at 10:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mattazuma

Bryan Adams said that even though it cuts like a knife it feels so right...

January 08 2007 at 9:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Paulo

You can try the Marware Protection Pack. It's a adhesive, but it leaves no residue on the surface.

Link: http://www.marware.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Marware.woa/6/wa/selectedCategory?catalogCatID=240&wosid=RksvCz7a8o9gANDbhdxLT0

January 08 2007 at 9:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply