- MacBook users complain about sharp edges on their devices
- Several have decided to put away their laptops for greater convenience.
- One recently described the process in detail on his blog.
Apple is known for its keen design sense and the exacting standards it demands of its designers, so it’s even more surprising to see users of the best MacBooks file down the edges of their prized laptops. However, that’s exactly what’s been happening in recent months, and many argue that 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 they made it. They described their motivation as follows: “The laptop is frequently used on the lap, which means the wrists touch the sharp edge at a very uncomfortable angle.”
To file the edge and reduce its sharpness, Bretschneider used a metal file and a progressive sanding block. They taped areas like the keyboard and trackpad, held the MacBook in place, and then got to work.
Despite describing the process as “very scary,” Bretschneider added that the modification was “much easier and accessible than it initially appears.” They were able to “achieve a uniform level” when filing and sanding, leaving them with 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 recently sand down the sharp edges of his MacBook; You’ll find an example from April 2026 with designer Kent Walters, for example. Going back further, users have apparently been applying a file and sandpaper to the edges of their MacBooks since at least 2010.
And readers chimed in with their own thoughts, with one Hacker News user testifying that “the sharp edges have bothered me since they started the unibody.” Another argued that sharp edges were “my number one complaint about the M series [MacBook Pro] line.”
People have been expanding their Apple devices in new and creative ways for many years. We’ve seen people try to transform old iPhones into new ones, adding USB-C to iPhones that didn’t have it, creating custom mechanical keyboards with built-in Touch ID, stuffing Mac minis inside old iMacs, and much more.
So if you find that the edges of your MacBook are 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 look too kindly on your work.
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