1. The Design of Everyday Things
by Don Norman
This is not mechanical engineering.
But it teaches:
- why products feel “good”
- ergonomics
- user interaction
- physical intuition
- human-centred design
This book changes how you think about products permanently.
2. Product Design and Development
by Karl Ulrich and Steven Eppinger
Probably the single best beginner-to-intermediate product engineering book.
Covers:
- product architecture
- manufacturing thinking
- prototyping
- industrial design integration
- engineering trade offs
Very important for laptop-level thinking.
3. Make: Design for CNC
by
Excellent practical manufacturing mindset.
Teaches:
- CNC limitations
- tool access
- fillets
- machining strategy
- manufacturable geometry
This directly applies to unibody chassis work.
4. Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals
by Rob Thompson
One of the best books for understanding:
- machining
- anodising
- casting
- extrusion
- injection molding
- finishing
Extremely useful for premium hardware understanding.
5. Precision Machine Design
by Alexander Slocum
This is more advanced.
But INCREDIBLY relevant to:
- tolerances
- precision
- rigidity
- alignment
- datums
- vibration
- structural design
This is close to the world Apple engineers operate in.
6. Shigley’s Mechanical Engineering Design
This is basically the legendary mechanical engineering design book.
Do not read cover-to-cover.
Use it as reference material for:
- fasteners
- stress
- fatigue
- bearings
- joints
- mechanical loading