The perfect MacBook equipment for 2024

Our present favorite webcam will up the video high quality of all the convention calls you are taking. The Logitech Brio 500 information 1080p 30fps video, and its improved gentle correction will provide help to put your finest face ahead whatever the surroundings wherein you’re streaming. Very like Logitech’s different webcams, the Brio 500 is a plug-and-play resolution — 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 in order for you 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 expertise, which retains you in the midst of the body even once you transfer round, just like Apple’s Middle Stage function on its iPads. Admittedly, an exterior webcam can 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 a superb Mac accent. For those who spend most of your days on video calls, you’ll need the additional bump in high quality and superior customizations that Logitech’s accent supplies. — Valentina Palladino, Senior Commerce Editor

The built-in cameras on MacBooks might have gotten higher over the previous few years, however they nonetheless don’t embrace a canopy for once you need a bit 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 once you’re not utilizing it. They’re simple to put in, and the adhesive is safe sufficient that the duvet gained’t fall off however you can too take away the duvet and stick it onto a brand new laptop computer once you finally improve. The usual black choice is nice in order for you 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.

For those who take your MacBook from room to room with you, you’ve in all probability discovered your self working in some less-than-ergonomic positions. While you wish to calm down on the sofa or your favourite armchair and nonetheless get some work achieved, a lap desk like this one from LapGear could make it extra comfy, making it one of the vital helpful MacBook Professional equipment. 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 along with your pocket book. The raised ledge in direction of the underside will stop 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 choose for MacBooks in our docking station guide. It allows you to go from utilizing your laptop computer on the highway to having a whole, peripheral-heavy arrange again at your desk utilizing a single (twin) plug. The dock matches neatly beneath your pc 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 implies it may get round among the multi-monitor limitations older MacBooks have. It’s not powered, which makes it extra transportable, however you’ll have to 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 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 MacBook Professional 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, one in every of which supplies 100W energy to cost your MacBook. The USB-C and USB-A ports can deal with 10 Gbps file transfers, good 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.

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, which doesn’t make it the most effective MacBook Professional equipment. As our reviewer Sam Rutherford factors out, that looks like 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 also be about $10 cheaper than Apple’s. The BoostCharge Professional wasn’t the highest choose in our 100W-plus class as a result of it lagged when powering an Android telephone, however for those who’re searching for a dependable wall charger to your MacBook, it will serve you effectively. — A.S.

It might 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 loads 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 helpful if in case you 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.

While you take your MacBook on the highway, it’s good to have a method 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 checks, 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 lively tabs in Chrome. The 140W energy brick that comes with that laptop computer is simply 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 the most effective 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 smart 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 totally 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: 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 the perfect 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 swap between two units with the pairing button. You’ll be able to even program the varied buttons to do app-specific issues utilizing Logitech’s software program. It is also a useful companion for an iPad and makes a superb Mac accent as effectively. 

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 it’s possible you’ll desire the $70 Ergo Lift. It additionally provides a handshake grip, however with out the curler ball, and has Bluetooth or USB dongle connectivity choices. — A.S.

As soon as you’ve got bought your stand and mouse, you will in all probability need an exterior keyboard as effectively. For an entire ergonomic setup, we suggest a keyboard with a cut up and tented design. Not like a completely cut up board, which may take a little bit of relearning, an Alice structure angles the keys so you may preserve your fingers 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 sizzling keys proper out of the field like quantity, brightness and opening Mission Management. Which means it will 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 may not work for smaller desks. If you would like a wired ergonomic choice with a very compact footprint — and also you’re ready to take a pair weeks to relearn learn how to kind — you may strive Zsa’s Voyager. It is a totally cut up, programmable mechanical board that I exploit every day.  

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 therapy and connects simply to a roster of machines, together with Mac, iOS, Home windows, Android and Chrome OS. It has a that important ahead delete key and three Bluetooth pairing buttons so you may swap rapidly between totally different units. It takes three AAA-cell batteries, however lasts for over a yr on a set. The highest-row perform keys assist 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 steel boards, magnets and vegan leather-based that reconfigures right into a surprisingly sturdy prop to your MacBook. Standing mode lifts your laptop computer a superb 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 possibly don’t depart 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 screen whereas nonetheless being comfy for typing. The 45- and 35-degree preparations get your display screen to eye degree, however you’ll want an exterior keyboard to kind comfortably. The 60-degree formation is simply too steep for a MacBook, however will do an amazing job if in case you have a pill. — A.S.