The perfect MacBook equipment for 2024

Our present favourite 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 mild correction will enable you 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 resolution — 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 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 whenever you transfer round, much like Apple’s Heart Stage function on its iPads. Admittedly, an exterior webcam will probably 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 great Mac accent. When you 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

The built-in cameras on MacBooks might have gotten higher over the previous few years, however they nonetheless don’t embody a canopy for whenever 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 whenever you’re not utilizing it. They’re straightforward to put in, and the adhesive is safe sufficient that the quilt gained’t fall off however you may as well take away the quilt and stick it onto a brand new laptop computer whenever you ultimately 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.

When you 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 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, making it one of the helpful MacBook Professional equipment. It has sufficient floor space to suit 13- and 15-inch MacBooks, with further facet 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 stop 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.

The Satechi Twin Dock Stand is our high decide for MacBooks in our docking station information. 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 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 may possibly get round a few of the multi-monitor limitations older MacBooks have. It’s not powered, which makes it extra moveable, 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 Professionals might 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 will probably 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 among which gives 100W energy to cost your MacBook. The USB-C and USB-A ports can deal with 10 Gbps file transfers, good for an exterior arduous 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, but it surely has sufficient energy and flexibility to be the one laptop computer hub you want. — V.P.

In our quick charger information, Apple’s included 140W energy adapter was the quickest to refill an M1 MacBook Professional, but it surely 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 as if a missed alternative. Belkin’s four-port GaN BoostCharge Professional 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 cellphone, however for those who’re on the lookout for a dependable wall charger in your MacBook, it will serve you nicely. — A.S.

It might be good for those who might seize a random charging cable and have it work appropriately with any gadget. 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 alternative 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 information 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 highway, it’s good to have a approach to juice it again up if an outlet isn’t out there. Mophie’s Powerstation Professional 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 exams, 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 energetic 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 will get your palms 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 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 in 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 possibility 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 may 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 great 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 dear at $100, so it’s possible you’ll desire the $70 Ergo Elevate. It additionally gives a handshake grip, however with out the curler ball, and has Bluetooth or USB dongle connectivity choices. — A.S.

As soon as you have acquired your stand and mouse, you may most likely need an exterior keyboard as nicely. For a whole ergonomic setup, we advocate a keyboard with a break up and tented design. Not like a totally break up board, which might take a little bit of relearning, an Alice format angles the keys so you possibly can preserve your palms in a extra impartial place, however typing feels very similar to is all the time has. The Ergo K860 from Logitech connects shortly by way of Bluetooth and correctly maintains Mac-specific scorching 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 massive so it won’t work for smaller desks. If you need a wired ergonomic possibility with a very compact footprint — and also you’re ready to take a pair weeks to relearn learn how to sort — you possibly can attempt Zsa’s Voyager. It is a absolutely break up, programmable mechanical board that I exploit each day.  

I’ve carried Logitech’s K380 keyboard for journey and occasional store sojourns for 5 years (and I’m at present 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 operate keys help just a few Mac-specific shortcuts like quantity, mute, playback management and the Mission Management button that reveals all of your open apps directly. — A.S.

Moft’s Sit-Stand laptop computer desk is a two-pound, flat-folding amalgamation of metallic boards, magnets and vegan leather-based that reconfigures right into a surprisingly sturdy prop in your MacBook. Standing mode lifts your laptop computer a great 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 possibly 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 screen whereas nonetheless being snug for typing. The 45- and 35-degree preparations get your display screen to eye stage, however you’ll want an exterior keyboard to sort comfortably. The 60-degree formation is simply too steep for a MacBook, however will do an ideal job you probably have a pill. — A.S.