The perfect MacBook equipment for 2024

Our present favorite webcam will up the video high quality of all the convention calls you’re taking. The Logitech Brio 500 data 1080p 30fps video, and its improved gentle correction will enable you to put your finest face ahead whatever the atmosphere by 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 possibly can customise issues additional if you would like utilizing the LogiTune software program, which helps you to change issues like area of view, distinction, brightness, autofocus and extra. The Brio 500 additionally helps Logitech’s RightSight know-how, which retains you in the midst of the body even while you transfer round, just like Apple’s Heart Stage characteristic on its iPads. Admittedly, an exterior webcam shall be most helpful for these working with an older MacBook that also has a 720p built-in digital camera, 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 offers. — Valentina Palladino, Senior Commerce Editor

The built-in cameras on MacBooks could have gotten higher over the previous few years, however they nonetheless don’t embody a canopy for while 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 digital camera while you’re not utilizing it. They’re simple to put in, and the adhesive is safe sufficient that the quilt gained’t fall off however you can too take away the quilt and stick it onto a brand new laptop computer while you finally improve. The usual black possibility is nice if you would like the quilt to mix in with the bezels surrounding your MacBook’s show, or you possibly can go for a enjoyable design that options pizzas, fruits or cute little characters. — V.P.

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. Once you need to chill out on the sofa or your favourite armchair and nonetheless get some work completed, a lap desk like this one from LapGear could make it extra snug, making it one of the helpful MacBook Professional equipment. It has sufficient floor space to suit 13- and 15-inch MacBooks, with further aspect house the place you should use a wi-fi mouse alongside along 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 prime are good locations to retailer pens, sticky notes, snacks and extra. — V.P.

The Satechi Dual Dock Stand is our prime decide for MacBooks in our docking station guide. It allows you to go from utilizing your laptop computer on the street to having a whole, peripheral-heavy arrange again at your desk utilizing a single (twin) plug. The dock suits neatly beneath your laptop and has ports for displays, 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

The newest MacBook Execs could have a bevy of ports, however they’re the one Apple laptops which have that stage of connectivity. Anker’s 555 USB-C hub and MacBook Professional equipment like it will likely 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 offers 100W energy to cost your MacBook. The USB-C and USB-A ports can deal with 10 Gbps file transfers, excellent for an exterior laborious drive or SD card reader, and you may join a 4K/60Hz exterior monitor by way of the HDMI slot. Anker’s accent could also be ultra-portable, but it surely has sufficient energy and flexibility to be the one laptop computer hub you want. — V.P.

In our fast charger guide, Apple’s included 140W power adapter was the quickest to refill an M1 MacBook Professional, but it surely solely has a single port, which doesn’t make it top-of-the-line MacBook Professional equipment. 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 house for 2 USB-A and two USB-C cables and was the second quickest performer, getting the laptop computer from ten % to 75 % in about 45 minutes. The beginning worth can also 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 in the event you’re in search of a dependable wall charger to your MacBook, this may serve you properly. — A.S.

It could be good in the event you may seize a random charging cable and have it work appropriately with any system. However not all cables are the identical: If you wish to benefit from 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 alternative 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 knowledge switch (which is beneficial you probably have an exterior SSD), it’s not rated for video output. For that, you’ll desire a video cable or one marked as Thunderbolt 3 or 4. — A.S.

Once you take your MacBook on the street, it’s good to have a option to juice it again up if an outlet isn’t obtainable. 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 % to 75 % in 89 minutes — and that’s whereas utilizing WiFi, a VPN, Slack and a number of lively 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 top-of-the-line MacBook equipment you may get your fingers on, plus, it is going to cost up your different Apple units, too. — A.S.

Hunching over a MacBook all day is homicide in your again and neck, so it’s sensible 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 may 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 additionally as a part of your go-everywhere digital-nomad setup. Simply be ready: after I set mine up in public, I all the time get questions from strangers. — A.S.

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 one of the best I’ve discovered. It tilts for a extra pure “handshake” grip and has a slow-mo possibility for extra exact actions in Photoshop and different apps. The scroll wheel is speedy however exact, as is the trackball and you may swap between two units with the pairing button. You’ll be able to even program the assorted buttons to do app-specific issues utilizing Logitech’s software program. It is also a useful companion for an iPad and makes Mac accent as properly. 

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 dear at $100, so you might favor the $70 Ergo Lift. It additionally presents a handshake grip, however with out the curler ball, and has Bluetooth or USB dongle connectivity choices. — A.S.

As soon as you have received your stand and mouse, you will most likely need an exterior keyboard as properly. For a whole ergonomic setup, we advocate a keyboard with a cut up and tented design. In contrast to a totally cut up board, which may take a little bit of relearning, an Alice structure angles the keys so you possibly can hold your fingers in a extra impartial place, however typing feels very like is all the time has. The Ergo K860 from Logitech connects shortly by way of Bluetooth and correctly maintains Mac-specific sizzling keys proper out of the field like quantity, brightness and opening Mission Management. Meaning it’s going to additionally work as a Mac accent. 

One factor to notice is the quantity pad and built-in wrist relaxation make it fairly giant so it won’t work for smaller desks. If you would like a wired ergonomic possibility with a very compact footprint — and also you’re ready to take a pair weeks to relearn tips on how to sort — you possibly can attempt Zsa’s Voyager. It is a absolutely cut up, programmable mechanical board that I exploit every day.  

I’ve carried Logitech’s K380 keyboard for journey and occasional store sojourns for 5 years (and I’m presently 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 essential ahead delete key and three Bluetooth pairing buttons so you possibly can swap shortly between completely different units. It takes three AAA-cell batteries, however lasts for over a 12 months on a set. The highest-row perform keys help a number of Mac-specific shortcuts like quantity, mute, playback management and the Mission Management button that reveals all of your open apps without delay. — A.S.

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 possibly can stand sometimes, switching up your working place with minimal effort. Gravity alone holds your laptop computer to the stand, so perhaps don’t depart it unattended, however even with energetic typing, my laptop computer remained secure 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 stage, 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 you probably have a pill. — A.S.