If you wish to take advantage of out of your Apple laptop computer, and even your different Apple merchandise, there are some nice MacBook accent must-haves you may spend money on. Step your consolation up a notch with a lapdesk, broaden your MacBook’s ports with a USB hub or guarantee your laptop computer doesn’t run out of juice with an influence financial institution. You don’t want to spend so much to get probably the most out of your laptop computer; these are the best MacBook equipment we’ve tried out.
Greatest MacBook equipment
Our present favorite webcam will up the video high quality of the entire convention calls you are taking. The Logitech Brio 500 data 1080p 30fps video, and its improved mild correction will assist you put your greatest face ahead whatever the setting through which you’re streaming. Very similar to Logitech’s different webcams, the Brio 500 is a plug-and-play answer — simply join it by way of one of many USB-C ports in your MacBook and begin a name. However you may customise issues additional if you need utilizing the LogiTune software program, which helps you to change issues like discipline of view, distinction, brightness, autofocus and extra. The Brio 500 additionally helps Logitech’s RightSight expertise, which retains you in the course of the body even if you transfer round, just like Apple’s Heart Stage characteristic on its iPads. Admittedly, an exterior webcam will likely be most helpful for these working with an older MacBook that also has a 720p built-in digicam, however even these with new MacBooks can get use out of the Brio 500. It additionally makes Mac accent. If you happen to spend most of your days on video calls, you’ll need the additional bump in high quality and superior customizations that Logitech’s accent gives. — Valentina Palladino, Senior Commerce Editor
- RightSight characteristic retains you in body as you progress round
- Plug and play USB-C connection
- Glorious auto mild correction
- Data 1080p video at 30fps
- Dearer than different cams
The built-in cameras on MacBooks might have gotten higher over the previous few years, however they nonetheless don’t embody a canopy for if you need somewhat further privateness. Webcam covers like these from Yilador are low-cost and efficient — these are tremendous skinny at 0.027 inches and cling proper over your webcam, permitting you to slip a shutter over the digicam if you’re not utilizing it. They’re straightforward to put in, and the adhesive is safe sufficient that the duvet gained’t fall off however you may also take away the duvet and stick it onto a brand new laptop computer if you ultimately improve. The usual black choice is nice if you need the duvet to mix in with the bezels surrounding your MacBook’s show, or you may go for a enjoyable design that options pizzas, fruits or cute little characters. — V.P.
- Cheap
- Supplies an efficient bodily block
If you happen to take your MacBook from room to room with you, you’ve most likely discovered your self working in some less-than-ergonomic positions. If you need to calm down on the sofa or your favourite armchair and nonetheless get some work carried out, a lap desk like this one from LapGear could make it extra snug. It has sufficient floor space to suit 13- and 15-inch MacBooks, with further facet area the place you need to use a wi-fi mouse alongside together with your pocket book. The raised ledge in direction of the underside will forestall your laptop computer from sliding off, and the 2 storage wells on the high are good locations to retailer pens, sticky notes, snacks and extra. — V.P.
- House for pens Put up-Its and different small gadgets
- Makes working from the sofa extra snug
- Backside lip retains your laptop computer from sliding
- Would not match a 16-inch MacBook Professional
The Satechi Dual Dock Stand is our high decide for MacBooks in our docking station guide. It enables you to go from utilizing your laptop computer on the highway to having an entire, peripheral-heavy arrange again at your desk utilizing a single (twin) plug. The dock suits neatly beneath your laptop and has ports for screens, Ethernet, and loads of equipment with two USB-C and two USB-C connections. It connects to the 2 USB-C inputs on a Professional or Air, which suggests it will possibly get round a number of the multi-monitor limitations older MacBooks have. It’s not powered, which makes it extra transportable, however you’ll must both run on battery, present energy by way of the USB-C passthrough port or do what I do and simply use your MagSafe connector. — Amy Skorheim, Reporter, Shopping for Recommendation
- Tucks beneath a MacBook for a neater desk
- Good number of ports
- Handy on/off change
The most recent MacBook Execs might have a bevy of ports, however they’re the one Apple laptops which have that degree of connectivity. Anker’s 555 USB-C hub and equipment like it is going to be a necessity for anybody working with a brand new MacBook Air or an older Mac mannequin. Anker’s hub provides you eight ports: two USB-A ports, one HDMI port, SD and microSD card slots, one Ethernet jack and two USB-C ports, certainly one of which gives 100W energy to cost your MacBook. The USB-C and USB-A ports can deal with 10 Gbps file transfers, excellent for an exterior onerous drive or SD card reader, and you’ll join a 4K/60Hz exterior monitor by way of the HDMI slot. Anker’s accent could also be ultra-portable, however it has sufficient energy and flexibility to be the one laptop computer hub you want. — V.P.
- Extra reasonably priced than a dock
- Two USB-A ports and microSD slots
- Only one USB-C downstream port
In our fast charger guide, Apple’s included 140W power adapter was the quickest to refill an M1 MacBook Professional, however it solely has a single port. As our reviewer Sam Rutherford factors out, that looks as if a missed alternative. Belkin’s four-port GaN BoostCharge Pro 108W charger provides you area for 2 USB-A and two USB-C cables and was the second quickest performer, getting the laptop computer from ten p.c to 75 p.c in about 45 minutes. The beginning worth can be about $10 cheaper than Apple’s. The BoostCharge Professional wasn’t the highest decide in our 100W-plus class as a result of it lagged when powering an Android telephone, however for those who’re on the lookout for a dependable wall charger to your MacBook, this can serve you nicely. — A.S.
- Refills MacBooks rapidly
- 4 ports to cost a number of units directly
It will be good for those who might seize a random charging cable and have it work appropriately with any system. However not all cables are the identical: If you wish to make the most of a quick charging brick or the quick-charge port of an influence financial institution, you’ll want an influence supply cable with a excessive wattage ranking. Anker’s USB-C to USB-C 100W cable was the conduit of selection when Sam examined out quick chargers for our information. It’s lots lengthy at 10 ft and it’s reasonably priced at $16 (though, we’ve seen it go on sale for much less). Whereas it helps information switch (which is beneficial in case you have an exterior SSD), it’s not rated for video output. For that, you’ll need a video cable or one marked as Thunderbolt 3 or 4. — A.S.
- Allows quick charging
- Lont 10-foot size
- Sturdy braided twine
If you take your MacBook on the highway, it’s good to have a method to juice it again up if an outlet isn’t out there. Mophie’s Powerstation Pro AC is a large, 27,000mAh energy financial institution with 20W USB-C and USB-A ports, a 60W USB-C energy supply port and a 100W AC plug. In our assessments, it recharged a 16-inch MacBook Professional from ten p.c to 75 p.c in 89 minutes — and that’s whereas utilizing WiFi, a VPN, Slack and a number of energetic tabs in Chrome. The 140W energy brick that comes with that laptop computer is just too power-hungry for the 100W AC port, however plugging the USB-C finish of the MagSafe cable into the Powerstation labored nice. It’s among the best MacBook equipment you may get your arms on, plus, it’s going to cost up your different Apple units, too. — A.S.
- Excessive capability for a number of expenses
- Sub 100Wh dimension is TSA-compliant
- Can energy small equipment
Hunching over a MacBook all day is homicide in your again and neck, so it’s clever to make your on a regular basis setup extra ergonomic through the use of a stand paired with a separate keyboard and wi-fi mouse. The Roost Stand adjusts to seven completely different heights and might accommodate as much as a 16-inch MacBook Professional. It folds as much as a slim stick and weighs simply over six ounces, making it not solely good to your desk, but in addition as a part of your go-everywhere digital-nomad setup. Simply be ready: once I set mine up in public, I all the time get questions from strangers. — A.S.
- Folds up for journey
- Adjustable top for higher ergonomics
- Can help a 16-inch MacBook Professional
- Takes up extra desk area than a monitor arm
There’s a mouse graveyard in my workplace cupboard — units I’ve tried and discarded as a result of they didn’t assist with my shoulder aches. The answer was a curler ball mouse and Logitech’s MX Ergo is the most effective I’ve discovered. It tilts for a extra pure “handshake” grip and has a slow-mo choice for extra exact actions in Photoshop and different apps. The scroll wheel is speedy however exact, as is the trackball and you’ll change between two units with the pairing button. You may even program the assorted buttons to do app-specific issues utilizing Logitech’s software program. It is also a helpful companion for an iPad and makes Mac accent as nicely.
My solely gripe is the antiquated micro-USB charging port, however the battery lasts lengthy sufficient that I solely have to make use of it as soon as each few months. It’s expensive at $100, so chances are you’ll choose the $70 Ergo Lift. It additionally gives a handshake grip, however with out the curler ball, and has Bluetooth or USB dongle connectivity choices. — A.S.
- Ergonomic handshake tilt
- Trackball reduces arm motion
- Lengthy battery life
As soon as you’ve got acquired your stand and mouse, you may most likely need an exterior keyboard as nicely. For an entire ergonomic setup, we suggest a keyboard with a break up and tented design. In contrast to a completely break up board, which might take a little bit of relearning, an Alice format angles the keys so you may maintain your arms in a extra impartial place, however typing feels very similar to is all the time has. The Ergo K860 from Logitech connects rapidly by way of Bluetooth and correctly maintains Mac-specific scorching keys proper out of the field like quantity, brightness and opening Mission Management. That imply’s it will additionally work as a Mac accent.
One factor to notice is the quantity pad and built-in wrist relaxation make it fairly massive so it may not work for smaller desks. In order for you a wired ergonomic choice with a very compact footprint — and also you’re ready to take a pair weeks to relearn how one can sort — you may attempt Zsa’s Voyager. It is a absolutely break up, programmable mechanical board that I take advantage of each day.
- Snug Alice break up is not troublesome to sort on
- Mac-specific keys work out of the field
- Rapidly connects by way of Bluetooth
- Takes up a whole lot of area
- Wrist relaxation is not detachable
I’ve carried Logitech’s K380 keyboard for journey and low store sojourns for 5 years (and I’m at the moment typing on it). It places up with tough remedy and connects simply to a roster of machines, together with Mac, iOS, Home windows, Android and Chrome OS. It has a that vital ahead delete key and three Bluetooth pairing buttons so you may change rapidly between completely different units. It takes three AAA-cell batteries, however lasts for over a yr on a set. The highest-row operate keys help just a few Mac-specific shortcuts like quantity, mute, playback management and the Mission Management button that exhibits all of your open apps directly. — A.S.
- Compact for journey
- Three system buttons for straightforward switching
- Contains arrow keys
- Small dimension can really feel cramped
Moft’s Sit-Stand laptop desk is a two-pound, flat-folding amalgamation of metallic boards, magnets and vegan leather-based that reconfigures right into a surprisingly sturdy prop to your MacBook. Standing mode lifts your laptop computer 10 inches so you may stand often, switching up your working place with minimal effort. Gravity alone holds your laptop computer to the stand, so perhaps don’t go away it unattended, however even with energetic typing, my laptop computer remained steady and wobble-free. It folds into 4 extra positions for sitting, together with a 25-degree angle that elevates the display whereas nonetheless being snug for typing. The 45- and 35-degree preparations get your display to eye degree, however you’ll want an exterior keyboard to sort comfortably. The 60-degree formation is just too steep for a MacBook, however will do an incredible job in case you have a pill. — A.S.
- Creates a sturdy base
- Adjusts to create one standing and a number of sitting positions
- Premium really feel