Must-Have Mac Accessories for Power Users
For power users who use their Macs extensively for work, play, and everything in between, having the right accessories can optimize performance, boost productivity, and improve the overall user experience. Here are some of the top must-have Mac accessories for power users.
External Monitor
An external monitor is a must-have for Mac power users who need more screen real estate. Some great options include:
- LG UltraFine 4K Display - Provides stunning 4K visuals and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity.
- Dell UltraSharp U2720Q - A 27-inch 4K monitor with great color accuracy.
- Apple Pro Display XDR - Apple's top-of-the-line 6K display with extreme brightness.
With the ability to extend or mirror your Mac's display, an external monitor enables multitasking with multiple windows and apps open side-by-side.
USB-C Hub
A USB-C hub expands the I/O capabilities of a Mac and allows connecting multiple accessories with just one cable. Some useful ports to look for include:
- USB 3.0 - For connecting peripherals like external storage drives.
- HDMI - For mirroring or extending your display.
- SD card reader - For quickly accessing files from external media.
- Thunderbolt 3 - For daisy-chaining powerful Thunderbolt devices.
Anker and Satechi make excellent versatile USB-C hubs for Mac power users.
External SSD
An external SSD (Solid State Drive) is a fast and durable storage solution. With read/write speeds way faster than traditional hard drives, external SSDs like Samsung's T5 and T7 are great for projects involving large files like video editing, photography, gaming, and graphics work. Key benefits include:
- Faster boot and app launch times
- Additional storage for large files
- Durability and portability
A 1TB or 2TB external SSD gives power users abundant extra storage and lightning-fast speeds.
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Wireless Mouse
A wireless mouse gives power users more flexibility and reduces cable clutter. Logitech's MX Master series is a popular choice with excellent ergonomics and customizable buttons. Key benefits of a quality wireless mouse include:
- Precision tracking for design/graphics work
- Customizable buttons/shortcuts to expedite workflows
- Reduced cable mess
Look for mice with precise optical tracking, ergonomic designs, multi-device pairing, and long battery life.
Docking Station
Docking stations like CalDigit TS3 Plus and Anker 575 enable power users to turn their MacBook into a full desktop workstation. With just one cable, you get access to many helpful ports:
- USB 3.0
- SD card reader
- Audio in/out
- Gigabit Ethernet
- SATA III
- DisplayPort
Docking stations declutter workspaces and make it easy to transition between portable and desktop setups.
With the right accessories, Mac power users can build a highly functional and efficient desktop workstation perfect for content creation, coding, design work, and more. Investing in some of these key add-ons can pay dividends in terms of productivity and performance.
Essential Mac Accessories for Students
For students, having a Mac offers advantages like portability, performance, and a user-friendly macOS experience. With the right accessories, students can transform their Mac into an even more efficient machine for learning, studying, and completing coursework.
Backpack
A sturdy and protective backpack is essential for safeguarding a MacBook when transporting it around campus. Some ideal options include:
- Incase Icon Pack - Features dedicated, padded MacBook compartment and water-resistant material.
- Mancro Anti-Theft Backpack - Lockable zippers and cut-proof material provide enhanced security.
- STM Myth Laptop Backpack - Lots of storage space and pockets to stay organized.
Look for backpacks with dedicated laptop sleeves, water bottle pockets, interior organization, and durable materials like canvas or polyester.
External Hard Drive
An external hard drive provides expanded storage for important files like notes, study guides, papers, and media projects. Helpful features include:
- At least 1TB capacity
- USB 3.0 for fast data transfer
- Durable design
- Portability
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim and WD My Passport are excellent portable hard drives for students.
USB Flash Drives
Small, versatile USB flash drives like the Samsung BAR Plus and SanDisk Cruzer Blade are great for quickly transferring files between different computers. Handy uses include:
- Sharing group project files
- Turning in assignments printed from another PC
- Temporarily expanding storage
- Transferring photos/videos from the library to your Mac
Look for flash drives with speeds of at least 100MB/s read and write.
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Printed Lecture Notes/Readings
Although your Mac enables digital note-taking, printing out lecture slides, study guides, and reading assignments makes for more effective retention and comprehension. Benefits include:
- Easier annotation with highlights and handwritten notes
- Limiting digital distractions during reading time
- Retaining key information through tactile reinforcement
Consider a compact printer like HP Deskjet 2700 or Canon Pixma MG3620.
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Laptop Stand
A laptop stand promotes proper ergonomic posture and keeps your Mac cool during intensive study sessions. Look for stands with these features:
- Raises screen to eye level
- Allows 360 degree rotation
- Aluminum alloy construction for stability
- Ventilation to prevent overheating
The Rain Design mStand Laptop Stand is an excellent option for students.
Making a few strategic accessory purchases can help students get the most out of their Macs for learning, studying, completing coursework, and excelling throughout their academic journey.
Upgrade Your Mac with These Accessories
While Macs are powerful right out of the box, certain accessories can upgrade their capabilities and enhance your experience. Here are some accessories to upgrade your Mac's performance, productivity, and functionality.
Replace Hard Drive with SSD
Replacing the standard hard drive with a solid state drive (SSD) provides a significant speed boost. Benefits of upgrading to an SSD include:
- Faster boot times - Mac starts up in seconds instead of minutes
- Quick app launching and file opening
- Improved performance for intensive tasks like video editing
- Often improves battery life
Quality SSD options for Mac include the Samsung 870 EVO and Crucial MX500.
Add Additional RAM
Upgrading RAM allows your Mac to run more apps simultaneously and handle demanding programs like video editors and 3D software. Consider bumping up RAM if your Mac:
- Feels slow when multitasking
- Struggles with large files
- Has 4GB RAM or less
Aim for at least 8GB RAM, or 16GB for optimal performance.
External Monitor
An external monitor like the LG UltraFine 4K display expands your workspace with more screen real estate. Benefits include:
- Multitasking with multiple windows
- Enhanced video editing and photo workflows
- Ability to mirror/extend your display
Match your Mac's resolution or go even higher for extra clarity.
USB-C Hub
A USB-C hub expands your Mac's I/O options with additional ports like:
- USB 3.0
- USB-C
- HDMI
- SD card reader
- Thunderbolt 3
Top options include Anker PowerExpand and Satechi Slim Aluminum Type-C Multi-Port Adapter.
Docking Station
Docking stations like the CalDigit TS3 Plus provide a wide range of helpful ports to transform your MacBook into a desktop workstation. Benefits include:
- Single cable connectivity
- USB 3.0
- Audio in/out
- Gigabit Ethernet
- SATA III storage
- DisplayPort
Docking stations enable easy transitions between portable and desktop setups.
Strategically upgrading certain accessories can give your Mac a new lease on life with improved performance, expanded capability, and enhanced productivity.
Mac Accessories for Gamers
The Mac offers a great gaming experience thanks to its powerful GPUs, high resolution Retina displays, and extensive game library. With the right accessories, Mac gaming can be taken to the next level.
External Monitor
An external monitor allows gamers to expand their field of vision with an additional screen. Look for a monitor with high refresh rates up to 144Hz, fast response times of 1ms, and FreeSync support. Popular picks include:
- Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ - 27-inch WQHD gaming monitor with 165Hz refresh rate.
- LG 27GN950-B - 27-inch 4K Ultra HD monitor with 144Hz refresh rate.
Gaming Mouse
A gaming mouse gives gamers more control and customization options. Key features include high DPIs up to 25,600 for accuracy, customizable buttons/shortcuts, and responsive switches. Top options:
- Logitech G502 Lightspeed - Wireless gaming mouse with hero 25K sensor.
- Razer DeathAdder V2 - Ergonomic wired mouse with 20K DPI optical sensor.
Mechanical Keyboard
Mechanical keyboards provide gamers with precision responsiveness and customizable options. Look for Cherry MX switches, per-key RGB lighting, and anti-ghosting. Great choices include:
- Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 - Full-sized mechanical gaming keyboard.
- HyperX Alloy Origins Core - Compact Tenkeyless mechanical keyboard.
Gaming Headset
A gaming headset adds immersion with surround sound and clear communication capabilities. Ideal features include 7.1 surround sound drivers, noise-cancelling mic, and cross-platform compatibility. Recommended options:
- SteelSeries Arctis 7P - Wireless headset designed for PlayStation 5 with lossless 2.4GHz wireless audio.
- Logitech G733 - Lightweight wireless headset with suspended earcups and Blue VO!CE mic technology.
Choosing the right accessories can enhance gameplay experiences and give Mac gamers a competitive edge.
Stay Organized with These Mac Accessories
Being organized can make anyone more efficient and productive. For Mac users, accessories can transform even the messiest workstation into a paragon of tidiness. Here are some great accessories to organize your Mac workspace.
Monitor Stand with Drawer
Monitor stands like the Satechi Aluminum Monitor Stand uplift your display while also providing storage space with a slide-out drawer perfect for stashing away loose items like pens, cables, notebooks, and more.
Under-Desk Mounts
Under-desk mounts like the Elegant Under Desk CPU Holder free up valuable surface area by storing your Mac mini or other peripherals under the desk. They keep items off the floor and out of sight while remaining easily accessible.
Cable Management Box
A cable management box like the Chou et al Cable Management Box conceals loose cords and plugs, creating a clean and organized workspace. Different compartments keep cables neatly separated and untangled.
USB Hub
USB hubs like Anker's 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub create charging stations to organize multiple devices using a single power adapter. This minimizes clutter from too many plugs and outlets.
External Hard Drive Case
Cases like Lacdo's EVA Shockproof Carrying Case securely store external hard drives and accessories in protective foam padding. This contains loose items in one portable place.
By incorporating organizational accessories into your workspace, you can boost productivity by spending less time searching for misplaced items and more time focusing on the task at hand.
Top Mac Accessories for Creatives
With its powerful performance and retina display, the Mac is a great creative tool for design, photo/video editing, animation, and more. The right accessories can optimize a Mac for peak creative productivity.
Drawing Tablet
A drawing tablet like the Wacom Intuos Pro replicates the feel of sketching on paper for digital illustration, graphic design, and photo retouching. Key features include pressure sensitivity, customizable ExpressKeys, and multi-touch gestures.
Standalone Graphics Tablet
Standalone tablets like the Huion Kamvas Pro 24 provide an extra large workspace with vibrant color and pen pressure sensitivity for creative work. They connect to your Mac via USB-C or HDMI.
Storage Drives
External SSD drives like the Samsung T7 and LaCie Rugged offer ample, super fast storage for large project files. Key specs to look for include read/write speeds over 1000MB/s, durable design, and at least 1TB capacity.
Monitor Calibrator
A monitor calibrator like the Datacolor SpyderX ensures color accuracy for photography, video, print, and graphics work. It profiles your monitor and lets you customize color temperature, gamma, brightness, and more.
Desktop Scanner
Scanners like the Epson Perfection V600 digitize film negatives, slides, prints, documents, and more so you can edit them on your Mac. Look for optical resolutions up to 6400 dpi and a transparency adapter.
With the right accessories tailored to their workflow, creatives can get the most out of their Mac's performance and take their work to the next level.
Upgrade Your Mac With These Accessories
Here are some accessories that can upgrade your Mac:
- AppleCare+ for Mac: Get accidental damage protection and expert technical support from Apple.
- RAM and storage upgrades: Upgrade the RAM and storage of nearly any Apple computer at MacSales.com.
- Best MacBook Pro accessories: From chargers and docks to sleeves, cases, and more, these accessories can drastically improve the uses and lifespan of your MacBook Pro.
- External hard drives: Backup your Mac with a portable or desktop hard drive. Safekeep all of your music, photographs, and other important files.
- Laptop stands: Improve your work time with an ergonomic laptop stand, which can help reduce neck and eye strain.
- USB-C adapters: An adapter is essential if you want to move files from a pen drive or any other USB device.
- Wireless charging dock: The Mophie 3-in-1 charging dock can charge your MacBook Pro or Air, iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at once.
What Are The Best External Hard Drives For Mac?
Here are some of the best external hard drives for Mac, according to various sources:
- Seagate Ultra Touch 2023: This drive is a great all-around option with password protection and encryption, and comes in 2TB, 4TB, or 5TB storage options.
- SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD: This portable SSD is a great option for those who need speed and portability.
- LaCie 1big Dock Thunderbolt 3 8TB External Hard Drive: This drive is a great option for those who need a lot of storage and fast transfer speeds.
- Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch HDD: This drive is a great option for those who need a lot of storage and want a cheaper option.
- WD My Passport HDD: This drive is a great option for those who need a lot of storage and want a reliable option.
- Samsung T7 Portable SSD: This SSD is a great option for those who need speed and portability.
- Sandisk Professional G-Drive rugged external 2TB SSD: This drive is a great option for those who need durability and high-speed transfers.
When choosing the best external hard drive for your Mac, consider important factors such as storage capacity, speed, connectivity, durability, and portability.
