You may need to keep the common formula in mind when anyone is going to interview Apple product design/mechanical engineering roles. The deflection d= (PL^3)/3E*I So, there are several ways to reduce deflection. 1. Lower the force P 2. Shorten the beam length L 3. Change other material with a higher modulus of elastic E 4. Change the cross-section of beam to increase the moment of inertia I. 5. (Bonus) Change the direction of the force and lower the force component in the vertical direction 6. (Bonus) Change the location of force to the wall as close as possible.