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AuroraBorealisGazer
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04 Aug 2015, 1:46 pm

I was forced to get a new laptop a few months ago (R.I.P. old Asus k50in! I miss you old friend!), and I chose one with an aluminum body for durability reasons. Unfortunately the beveled edge is very painful on my wrists/arms (I guess it's an SPD thing), and so I need to find a way to cover the edges. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas, since I can't seem to find a product to solve the problem. It's for the Asus n550jk laptop.



izzeme
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05 Aug 2015, 2:32 am

can't you get a file and just sand off the edges?
if that doesn't work, you could tape over the edges to remove the sharpness.

finally, and this is the option i use: grab a (wireless) keyboard and mouse and use that; this will keep your wrists off of the edges. not a solution of the problem, but a pretty effective circumvention of the symptoms; it will help reduce your chances of RSI as well (laptop keyboards aren't known for their ergonomy)



Fogman
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05 Aug 2015, 5:42 am

With a cheap, non ruggedised laptop, I would NOT recommend using a file on it. One thing that might work is using a 400 grit or finer grit sanding block as gently as possible to ease the sharp edges.

At the same time though, be warned however that depending on the gauge of aluminum used, you may very well wind up sanding a hole through the aluminum. Also be warned that the aluminum most likely also has a hard anodised finish, which protects it from galvanic corrosion. --If you sand it, you are also removing the protective coating which will accellerate galvanic corrosion caused by sweat, ocean air/marine environment, or any form of salt/acidic exposure.

FWIW, I use a Panasonic Toughbook CF-T8. This is one of Panasonic's 'business rugged' ultra portable notebooks. The case construction is of cast/machined magnalloy for the bottom of the clamshell, and cast/machined magnalloy and stamped aluminum for the screen assembly. During the time that I have used it, it has experieced some paint lifting from some slight galvanic corrosion that it recieved from being stored in a non-waterproof bag that sat on the floorboards of a work truck that was wet with road salt infused snowmelt during the winter of 2013/14.


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pcgoblin
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05 Aug 2015, 7:33 am

I know tape was already suggested. Skinny vinyl tape comes to mind. 3M makes some. I don't know all the widths they produce it in, but I know they have half inch and quarter inch. They make them in different colors as well. My thought is if looks matter, you can add a little finesse with color. Or perhaps a clear tape?

Like izzeme though, I would get a wireless keyboard and mouse. I cannot stand most laptop keyboards and their tracking pads.



AuroraBorealisGazer
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06 Aug 2015, 6:42 pm

Thank you everyone for your replies. Sanding, while thoughtful, isn't going to be an option...this is a pricey laptop that plan to have for many years. I was thinking something along the lines of a cushioned border that could fit around the base. Does anyone know if something like this exists, or if there's a way to DIY it without making permanent modification to the laptop?



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06 Aug 2015, 7:20 pm

Do you need a portable laptop?

Because if you don't you could set it up at a desk and attach a mouse and keyboard to it. I would do that, but I have a desk.

If this doesn't work, I found something that might. A quick search on Google yielded a few useful search results. I found a custom rubber laptop skin I'm not sure if it will fit your laptop it is at the site http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/c ... 5.1.R66gbC.


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AuroraBorealisGazer
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09 Aug 2015, 12:30 pm

Yes, I need for it to be portable.

That custom rubber skin sounds perfect, but I can't see it on the link you provided (it just takes me to a main page for the site). I Found this "rubber whole keyboard cover" that's made for a 13 inch Macbook...but I am not sure if it would work for my 15.6 inch. I also found these rubber wrist pads that may work. Thanks for the suggestions =)



Jacob Alexander
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26 Aug 2015, 9:10 am

Thankfully, in these glorious days one need not purchase a $2000 Mac so that he can enjoy waltzing around with a half-inch thin laptop. However, your situation is understandable (and humorous). Thin computers can be like chisels on a user's wrist. I advise you to buy rubber strips, preferably vacuum belts cut to size, and bond them to your laptop so that the sharp areas are covered, yet are not positioned in such a way that the lid does not close normally. Trial test the strips before bonding them, however. If this will not work, you can try electrical tape. Put in on neatly, and feel free to layer it as needed. I hope this works for you, otherwise shoutout for more help. ( It's free!)



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26 Aug 2015, 9:38 am

AuroraBorealisGazer wrote:
Yes, I need for it to be portable.

That custom rubber skin sounds perfect, but I can't see it on the link you provided (it just takes me to a main page for the site). I Found this "rubber whole keyboard cover" that's made for a 13 inch Macbook...but I am not sure if it would work for my 15.6 inch. I also found these rubber wrist pads that may work. Thanks for the suggestions =)


Maybe try searching for a rubber skin for a laptop, but include the name/model number of your computer and maybe you'll get results of ones made for your specific laptop. For instance get on Ebay type 'rubber laptop skin for' and then put the name/model of your laptop.


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Sweetleaf
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26 Aug 2015, 9:44 am

Oh I found a couple other ideas....looked up laptop wrist protectors and found stuff like this:

http://www.amazon.com/GRIFITI-Notebook-Silicone-Reposition-Travelling/dp/B00897D3OQ

http://www.amazon.com/Laptop-Palm-Support-Blue-Gel/dp/B002BH4Q96

basically padded things you can stick/set on your laptop where your wrists are so its more comfortable, that might be an idea. And if you don't have a proper mouse I strongly advise getting one, the default mouse pad thing that comes on a laptop sucks....and by that I mean I think using one of those a lot would be very straining on the wrist/hands.


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AuroraBorealisGazer
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26 Aug 2015, 3:03 pm

Sweetleaf wrote:
Oh I found a couple other ideas....looked up laptop wrist protectors and found stuff like this:

http://www.amazon.com/GRIFITI-Notebook-Silicone-Reposition-Travelling/dp/B00897D3OQ

http://www.amazon.com/Laptop-Palm-Support-Blue-Gel/dp/B002BH4Q96

basically padded things you can stick/set on your laptop where your wrists are so its more comfortable, that might be an idea. And if you don't have a proper mouse I strongly advise getting one, the default mouse pad thing that comes on a laptop sucks....and by that I mean I think using one of those a lot would be very straining on the wrist/hands.


Thanks Sweetleaf! Those both look like really good options. I think I will get the first one, since they can be moved around to fit my position. :)