User files down Apple (苹果) MacBook's chassis corners after bezel digs into hand

Sharp design, DIY fix

It has been reported that software designer and engineer Kent Walters filed down the sharp lower corners of his MacBook after the machine’s aluminum bezel began digging into his wrist. “The bottom edge of the MacBook is very sharp,” he told the Chinese tech site IT之家; “it hurt my wrist and I believe tools should be customised by the user.” The story first appeared on IT之家, a widely read China-based technology news site, and circulated on social feeds after Walters posted photos of the work.

How he did it

Walters started with a metal file, then worked through 150- and 400-grit sandpaper to round the palm-rest area, focusing beneath the trackpad where contact was worst. He reportedly taped over the speakers and keyboard to keep aluminum filings out, clamped the laptop to a hard surface for control, and at one point worried he might file through the unibody casing — thankfully he did not. The photos show noticeably softened edges and a few light scratches and dings where the aluminum finish was altered.

Risks and practical advice

Want to try this yourself? Proceed with caution. Modifying the unibody aluminium shell can leave permanent cosmetic damage, may introduce debris into the chassis during the process, and could void warranty or complicate future resale — a key consideration for buyers who keep devices pristine. Walters’ tips — tape exposed openings and secure the notebook — are practical, but they don’t eliminate the broader risks.

Design trade-offs and user expectations

Apple’s unibody aluminium construction is a deliberate industrial-design choice: durable, light and able to achieve the company’s clean, wedge-shaped aesthetic. But what’s elegant on a spec sheet can be uncomfortable in daily use for some people. When manufacturers lean into minimalist metal designs, users sometimes take matters into their own hands. Is that a sign Apple should tweak ergonomics, or will DIY fixes remain the inevitable workaround?