Step up your laptop computer pc’s sport with these helpful gadgets.
Current MacBooks are extremely efficient adequate to perform your every day productiveness machine, nonetheless the keyboard and trackpad can actually really feel cramped do you have to’re relying on all of them week prolonged. A few clever MacBook tools might make your setup further ergonomic, improve your video calls and maintain you powered up when you’re figuring out within the discipline. Some even make good Mac tools, too, so you could use them alongside together with your desktop as successfully. We’ve examined dozens of gadgets and devices made for MacBooks — listed below are these we like best that offers you the outcomes you need as successfully.
The Top Laptops of 2024: Enhance Your Computing Experience
Logitech Brio 500
Best webcam for MacBook
Our current favourite webcam will up the video top quality of your complete conference calls you’re taking. The Logitech Brio 500 info 1080p 30fps video, and its improved delicate correction will help you place your best face forward regardless of the setting by means of which you’re streaming. Very like Logitech’s completely different webcams, the Brio 500 is a plug-and-play reply — merely be part of it by means of one in all many USB-C ports in your MacBook and start a reputation.
Nevertheless you probably can customise points extra if you would like using the LogiTune software program program, which lets you change points like self-discipline of view, distinction, brightness, autofocus and additional. The Brio 500 moreover helps Logitech’s RightSight experience, which retains you in the midst of the physique even when you switch spherical, very like Apple’s Center Stage attribute on its iPads.
Admittedly, an exterior webcam shall be most useful for these working with an older MacBook that additionally has a 720p built-in digital digital camera, nonetheless even these with new MacBooks can get use out of the Brio 500. It moreover makes an excellent Mac accent. In case you occur to spend most of your days on video calls, you’ll want the extra bump in top quality and superior customizations that Logitech’s accent offers.
PROS
- RightSight attribute retains you in physique as you progress spherical
- Plug and play USB-C connection
- Wonderful auto delicate correction
- Data 1080p video at 30fps
CONS
- Dearer than completely different cams
Yilador Webcam Cover (3 Pack)
Best webcam cover for MacBook
The built-in cameras on MacBooks might have gotten greater over the last few years, nonetheless they nonetheless don’t embody a cover for when you want a bit extra privateness. Webcam covers like these from Yilador are low value and environment friendly — these are great skinny at 0.027 inches and cling correct over your webcam, allowing you to slide a shutter over the digital digital camera when you’re not using it.
They’re easy to place in, and the adhesive is secure adequate that the quilt obtained’t fall off nonetheless you may even take away the quilt and stick it onto a model new laptop computer pc when you lastly enhance. The same old black risk is good if you would like the quilt to combine in with the bezels surrounding your MacBook’s present, otherwise you probably can go for a pleasant design that choices pizzas, fruits or cute little characters.
PROS
- Low-cost
- Offers an environment friendly bodily block
CONS
- Would possibly come unstuck
LapGear MyDesk Lap Desk
Best lap desk for MacBook
In case you occur to take your MacBook from room to room with you, you’ve most certainly found your self working in some less-than-ergonomic positions. Everytime you want to loosen up on the couch or your favorite armchair and nonetheless get some work achieved, a lap desk like this one from LapGear might make it further cozy.
It has adequate flooring area to swimsuit 13- and 15-inch MacBooks, with extra facet home the place you could use a Bluetooth mouse alongside alongside together with your pocket e book. The raised ledge within the course of the underside will cease your laptop computer pc from sliding off, and the two storage wells on the excessive are good places to retailer pens, sticky notes, snacks and additional. — V.P.
PROS
- Home for pens Put up-Its and completely different small devices
- Makes working from the couch further cozy
- Bottom lip retains your laptop computer pc from sliding
CONS
- Doesn’t match a 16-inch MacBook Skilled
Satechi Dual Dock Stand
Best docking station for MacBook
The Satechi Dual Dock Stand is our excessive select for MacBooks in our docking station information. It lets you go from using your laptop computer pc on the freeway to having a complete, peripheral-heavy organize once more at your desk using a single (twin) plug.
The dock fits neatly beneath your laptop and has ports for screens, Ethernet, and a great deal of tools with two USB-C and two USB-C connections. It connects to the two USB-C inputs on a Skilled or Air, which suggests it’s going to in all probability get spherical quite a lot of the multi-monitor limitations older MacBooks have. It’s not powered, which makes it further moveable, nonetheless you’ll should each run on battery, current vitality by means of the USB-C passthrough port or do what I do and easily use your MagSafe connector.
PROS
- Tucks beneath a MacBook for a neater desk
- Good variety of ports
- Useful on/off change
CONS
- No Thunderbolt ports
Anker 555 USB-C Hub
Best USB-C hub for MacBook
The most recent MacBook Execs might have a bevy of ports, nonetheless they’re the one Mac laptops which have that diploma of connectivity. Anker’s 555 USB-C hub and tools like will in all probability be a necessity for anyone working with a model new Air or an older Mac model.
Anker’s hub offers you eight ports: two USB-A ports, one HDMI port, SD and microSD card slots, one Ethernet jack and two USB-C ports, one amongst which supplies 100W vitality to value your MacBook. The USB-C and USB-A ports can cope with 10 Gbps file transfers and you may be part of a 4K/60Hz monitor to the HDMI slot. Anker’s accent is also ultra-portable, nonetheless it has adequate vitality and suppleness to be the one laptop computer pc hub you need.
PROS
- Additional cheap than a dock
- Two USB-A ports and microSD slots
CONS
- Just one USB-C downstream port
Belkin 108W GaN USB Charger
Best fast charger for MacBook
In our quick charger information, Apple’s included 140W energy adapter was the quickest to refill an M1 MacBook Skilled, nonetheless it solely has a single port. As our reviewer Sam Rutherford elements out, that appears as if a missed different. Belkin’s four-port GaN BoostCharge Pro 108W charger offers you home for two USB-A and two USB-C cables and was the second quickest performer, getting the laptop computer pc from ten p.c to 75 p.c in about 45 minutes.
The start worth may also be about $10 cheaper than Apple’s. The BoostCharge Skilled wasn’t the best select in our 100W-plus class because of it lagged when powering an Android phone, nonetheless do you have to’re trying to find a reliable wall charger to your MacBook, it’s going to serve you successfully.
PROS
- Refills MacBooks shortly
- 4 ports to value quite a lot of devices straight
CONS
- Solely is on the market in white
Anker 100W 10ft USB-C to USB-C Cable
Best charging cable for MacBook
It is perhaps good ought to chances are you’ll seize a random charging cable and have it work precisely with any system. Nevertheless not all cables are the similar: In case you want to reap the advantages of a fast charging brick or the quick-charge port of an affect monetary establishment, you’ll need an affect provide cable with a extreme wattage rating.
Anker’s USB-C to USB-C 100W cable was the conduit of different when Sam examined out fast chargers for our information. It’s heaps prolonged at 10 toes and it’s cheap at $16 (although, we’ve seen it go on sale for a lot much less). Whereas it helps info swap, it’s not rated for video output. For that, you’ll need a video cable or one marked as Thunderbolt 3 or 4.
PROS
- Permits fast charging
- Lont 10-foot dimension
- Sturdy braided twine
CONS
- Not rated for video
Mophie Powerstation Pro AC 27,000mAh battery
Best portable power bank for MacBook
Everytime you take your MacBook on the freeway, it’s good to have a technique to juice it once more up if an outlet isn’t on the market. Mophie’s Powerstation Pro AC is a big, 27,000mAh vitality monetary establishment with 20W USB-C and USB-A ports, a 60W USB-C vitality provide port and a 100W AC plug.
In our checks, it recharged a 16-inch MacBook Skilled from ten p.c to 75 p.c in 89 minutes — and that’s whereas using WiFi, a VPN, Slack and quite a lot of vigorous tabs in Chrome. The 140W vitality brick that comes with that laptop computer pc is simply too power-hungry for the 100W AC port, nonetheless plugging the USB-C end of the MagSafe cable into the Powerstation labored good.
PROS
- Extreme functionality for quite a lot of costs
- Sub 100Wh measurement is TSA-compliant
- Can vitality small tools
CONS
- Expensive
- Heavy
Roost Laptop Stand
Best laptop stand for MacBook
Hunching over a MacBook all day is murder in your once more and neck, so it’s intelligent to make your regularly setup further ergonomic by using a stand paired with a separate keyboard and mouse. The Roost Stand adjusts to seven utterly completely different heights and should accommodate as a lot as a 16-inch MacBook Skilled. It folds as a lot as a slim stick and weighs merely over six ounces, making it not solely good to your desk, however moreover as part of your go-everywhere digital-nomad setup. Merely be prepared: after I set mine up in public, I on a regular basis get questions from strangers.
PROS
- Folds up for journey
- Adjustable high for greater ergonomics
- Might help a 16-inch MacBook Skilled
CONS
- Takes up further desk home than a monitor arm
Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse
Best mouse for MacBook
There is a mouse graveyard in my office cabinet — devices I’ve tried and discarded because of they didn’t help with my shoulder aches. The reply was a roller ball mouse and Logitech’s MX Ergo is the right I’ve found. It tilts for a further pure “handshake” grip and has a slow-mo risk for further actual actions in Photoshop and completely different apps. The scroll wheel is speedy nonetheless actual, as is the trackball and you may change between two devices with the pairing button. You could even program the various buttons to do app-specific points using Logitech’s software program program. Additionally it is a helpful companion for an iPad and makes an excellent Mac accent as successfully.
My solely gripe is the antiquated micro-USB charging port, nonetheless the battery lasts prolonged adequate that I solely should make use of it as quickly as every few months. It’s pricey at $100, so you may want the $70 Ergo Lift. It moreover offers a handshake grip, nonetheless with out the roller ball, and has Bluetooth or USB dongle connectivity decisions.
PROS
- Ergonomic handshake tilt
- Trackball reduces arm movement
- Prolonged battery life
CONS
- Micro USB charging port
Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Split
Best ergonomic keyboard for MacBook
As quickly as you will have obtained your stand and mouse, chances are you’ll most certainly want an exterior keyboard as successfully. For a complete ergonomic setup, we advise a keyboard with a break up and tented design. In distinction to a very break up board, which can take a little bit little bit of relearning, an Alice format angles the keys so that you probably can maintain your palms in a further neutral place, nonetheless typing feels similar to is on a regular basis has. The Ergo K860 from Logitech connects shortly by means of Bluetooth and appropriately maintains Mac-specific scorching keys correct out of the sector like amount, brightness and opening Mission Administration. That indicate’s it should moreover work as a Mac accent.
One issue to note is the amount pad and built-in wrist rest make it pretty large so it might not work for smaller desks. In case you want a wired ergonomic risk with a really compact footprint — and likewise you are able to take a pair weeks to relearn strategies to kind — you probably can try Zsa’s Voyager. It’s a completely break up, programmable mechanical board that I exploit every day.
PROS
- Comfortable Alice break up isn’t troublesome to kind on
- Mac-specific keys work out of the sector
- Shortly connects by means of Bluetooth
CONS
- Takes up quite a lot of home
- Wrist rest isn’t removable
Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard
Best travel keyboard for MacBook
I’ve carried Logitech’s K380 keyboard for journey and occasional retailer sojourns for five years (and I’m in the mean time typing on it). It locations up with robust treatment and connects merely to a roster of machines, along with Mac, iOS, House home windows, Android and Chrome OS. It has a that necessary forward delete key and three Bluetooth pairing buttons so that you probably can change shortly between utterly completely different devices. It takes three AAA-cell batteries, nonetheless lasts for over a 12 months on a set. The best-row function keys assist quite a lot of Mac-specific shortcuts like amount, mute, playback administration and the Mission Administration button that reveals your whole open apps straight.
PROS
- Compact for journey
- Three system buttons for easy switching
- Incorporates arrow keys
CONS
- Small measurement can actually really feel cramped
MOFT Sit-Stand Laptop Desk
Best convertible stand for MacBook
Moft’s Sit-Stand laptop desk is a two-pound, flat-folding amalgamation of metallic boards, magnets and vegan leather-based that reconfigures proper right into a surprisingly sturdy prop to your MacBook. Standing mode lifts your laptop computer pc an excellent 10 inches so that you probably can stand generally, switching up your working place with minimal effort.
Gravity alone holds your laptop computer pc to the stand, so maybe don’t go away it unattended, nonetheless even with energetic typing, my laptop computer pc remained safe and wobble-free. It folds into 4 further positions for sitting, along with a 25-degree angle that elevates the show display screen whereas nonetheless being cozy for typing. The 45- and 35-degree preparations get your show display screen to eye diploma, nonetheless you’ll need an exterior keyboard to kind comfortably. The 60-degree formation is simply too steep for a MacBook, nonetheless will do a terrific job when you will have a tablet.
PROS
- Creates a sturdy base
- Adjusts to create one standing and quite a lot of sitting positions
- Premium actually really feel
CONS
- Heavy at two kilos