Tutorial: How to File the Edge off a MacBook Pro

The complete story behind this video can be found at http://OneMansBlog.com/MacBookPro
Follow me on Twitter for notifications of new releases: http://twitter.com/johnpoz

Oh, for all those who are worried about removing the anodized finish, don't. I did this 6 months ago, and there is no "black stuff"or any other sort of residual. (AKA - My sleeves aren't dirty.) The people claiming that this will remove the anodized finish and make your laptop look bad are, quite frankly, talking out their ass. Or they are idiots. Either way, they are wrong.

Folks I'm a trained welder, blacksmith and bladesmith. I've got hunks of aluminum in my garage that I machine on my milling machine, cut on my CNC plasma cutting machine, and weld on my big ass Lincoln TIG welder. In other words, I'm experienced at working with Aluminum.

This tiny amount of area is not going to get exposed to a harsh environment because your laptop can't take it! Plus, the oil from your skin rubbing in this are will actually keep that small area further protected.

Note that I used a file and did this by hand. That is because the file removes metal as shavings - not dust. I would highly NOT recommend doing this with sandpaper or another abrasive. As you can see from the video the shavings are too big to become airborne and can be swept right up.

Also, for those who are listening to the other camp of idiots who claim that damage could come to your motherboard from getting shavings on it, know this: THERE IS ZERO CHANCE OF GETTING SHAVINGS ON THE MOTHERBOARD. Use your head people.

Finally, turn your machine off. I ONLY left mine on so people would not think this was a hoax. YES, I really did this to my MBP. And yes, I can afford it if I broke it. So guess what, I took the risk so you don't have to wonder if it can be done. Not the first time I've done something like this, nor will it be the last.

So, you've got two choices if your bothered by the sharp edge on your MacBook.
1) Listen to the guy who did it and had zero negative consequences.
2) Listen to people who did NOT do it, but who have a desperate need to sound like a metallurgist or some sort of authority despite their lack of hands on experience.

Caio! - John P.

• Category

  Howto & Style

[Skippy MyMan]

I cry when i watch this man, especially the screeching at the end..... I couldn't do that to my laptop man, you are a very brave man

[Entropy56]

A better solution is to not buy a Mac.  $3,000 laptop? Hahah!

[OcdComputers]

you sir, are more brave than i am when it comes to going near my macbook with anything other than hands... though... alternate options could include connecting an ergonomic usb keyboard.... unless you're mobile so often that it would be impractical.

[Charles McKeever]

Is it just me or is it almost one o'clock in the morning according to the clock on the wall. Seriously John P. I think you need to think about looking into hippnosis or squirrel training or something. I'm worried about you dude :) Oh and by the way great job on having the stones to take a $5 file to a $3k laptop. Most people would just live with it and bitch!

[TGPanjandrum]

People who purchase $3000 laptops do it because they understand the difference between value and cost. My neighbor is currently using a 9 year old TiBook perfectly well with wifi, digital video output, 1gb of memory, 7200rpm hard drive,firewire, etc. all built-in (obviously the hdd is a replacement). Was this expensive? Yes. Was it in any way a value? Nope.

[David Bergman]

I don't know. Maybe people making more than $3,000 in extra income due to this "expensive toy" during the 2.5 years they will keep it?

[jjangchoo]

this pains me.

[blicksflicks]

Hmmm. Personally, I wouldn't do that to my Macbook Pro, but to each their own. If it works for you, go for it.

[blicksflicks]

People who know that you get what you pay for. There's no better notebook than the Macbook Pro.

[jerdaskater12]

a rich person

[Ryan Mcglynn]

wouldn't that just make it sharper??

[TheEbasso]

Yeah.. Apple always want to learn us how to use our laptop or more recently our phone. Yes iPhone 4 antenna issue...