- MacBook users are complaining about their devices’ sharp edges
- Several have decided to file their laptops down for more comfort
- One recently outlined the process in detail on their blog
Apple is known for its keen sense of design and the exacting standards it holds its designers to, which is why it’s all the more surprising to see users of the best MacBooks filing the edges off their prized laptops. Yet that’s exactly what’s been happening over the last few months, with many arguing that it makes for a far more comfortable experience.
The latest example comes from software engineer Max Bretschneider, who posted a blog entry explaining their decision and how they went about doing it. They described their motivation this way: “A laptop will be frequently used on a lap, meaning the wrists will touch the sharp edge at an angle which is very uncomfortable.”
To file down 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, clamped the MacBook into place, then got to work.
Despite describing the process as “very scary,” Bretschneider added that the modification was “far easier and approachable than it seems initially.” They were able to “achieve an even level” when filing and sanding, leaving them with a device that could “serve its primary purpose as a tool better.”
A multitude of MacBook mods
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Bretschneider is far from the only person to have recently sanded down their MacBook’s sharp edges — you’ll find an example from April 2026 featuring designer Kent Walters, for example. Going further back, users have apparently been taking a file and sandpaper to their MacBook’s edges 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 with the unibody.” Another argued that sharp edges were “my number one complaint about the M-series [MacBook Pro] line.”
People have been augmenting their Apple devices in new and creative ways for many years now. We’ve seen people attempting to transform old iPhones into new ones, adding USB-C to iPhones that didn’t have it, crafting custom mechanical keyboards with built-in Touch ID, stuffing Mac minis inside old iMacs, and much more.
So, if you’ve found the edges of your MacBook to be a little too sharp for comfort, know that it’s entirely possible to sand them down for a more pleasant experience. Just make sure you’ve planned well ahead — and don’t expect Apple to look too kindly on your work.
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alexblake.techradar@gmail.com (Alex Blake)
