- MacBook users complain about their devices’ sharp edges
- Many decided to put their laptop away for more comfort
- One recently described the process in detail on his blog
Apple is known for its keen eye for design and the exacting standards it holds for its designers. That’s why it’s all the more surprising to see users of the best MacBooks filing down the edges of their precious laptops. Yet that’s exactly what has happened over the past few months, with many saying it makes the experience much more comfortable.
The latest example comes from software engineer Max Bretschneider, who published a blog post explaining his decision and how he went about it. They described their motivation as follows: “A laptop will frequently be used on the lap, which means the wrists will touch the sharp edge at a very uncomfortable angle. »
To file the edge and reduce its sharpness, Bretschneider used a metal file and a block of progressive sandpaper. They taped off areas like the keyboard and trackpad, secured the MacBook in place, then got to work.
Although he called the process “very scary,” Bretschneider added that the change was “much easier and more accessible than it initially seems.” They were able to “achieve a uniform level” when filing and sanding, giving them a device that could “better serve its primary purpose as a tool.”
A multitude of MacBook mods
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Bretschneider is far from the only person to have recently sanded down the sharp edges of their MacBook: for example, you’ll find an example from April 2026 featuring designer Kent Walters. Going back further, users have apparently been taking a file and sandpaper to the edges of their MacBook since at least 2010.
And readers offered their own thoughts, with one Hacker News user testifying that “the sharp edges have bothered me since they started with the unibody.” Another argued that sharp edges were “my biggest complaint about the M Series.” [MacBook Pro] double.”
People have been upgrading their Apple devices in new and creative ways for many years now. We’ve seen people attempt to turn old iPhones into new ones, adding USB-C to iPhones that didn’t have it, creating custom mechanical keyboards with Touch ID built in, putting Mac minis into old iMacs, and much more.
So, if you find the edges of your MacBook a little too sharp for comfort, know that it is entirely possible to sand them for a more pleasant experience. Just make sure you’ve planned well in advance and don’t expect Apple to view your work too kindly.
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