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Articles by MacBook accessories
Laptop screen extender Duex Plus DS gives you room to work
Ever tried juggling spreadsheets, emails and a dozen open tabs on one tiny screen? That’s a one-way ticket to frustration. A laptop screen extender like Mobile Pixels’ Duex Plus DS can help. This 13.3-inch portable second monitor might just become your laptop’s new best friend. The second screen instantly upgrades your setup, whether you’re working remotely, traveling or just flexing your multitasking skills. And for just $179.99 (regularly $259.99), it’s a deal too good to pass up.
Innovative 6-port hub also offers iPad stand and even media controls
Don’t buy a separate stand and hub for your iPad until you check out the Zagg 6-port Media Hub that launched Wednesday. Add an HDMI port, a USB-A port and more to your tablet without taking up any more space on your desktop than a stand alone would. Plus, it got a big brother: the Zagg Pro Dock is a stand for MacBooks with 10 ports, including dual HDMI and Ethernet. These are part of a collection of new hubs from Zagg with a range of port options.
ViewSonic brings out stylish, affordable 5K rival to Apple Studio Display
Add ViewSonic to the list of companies making a 27-inch, 5K monitor to compete head-to-head with the Apple Studio Display. As with so many of the rivals, the ColorPro VP2788-5K is considerably more affordable than Apple’s offering. And it doesn’t look half bad. ViewSonic ColorPro VP2788-5K takes on Apple Studio Display The Apple Studio Display targets creative professionals, with a 5K resolution, high color accuracy, and a sleek design.
Easily add 5Gbps Ethernet to your MacBook with this affordable adapter
The Plugable USBC-E5000 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapter lets you add a wired internet connection to your MacBook. Simply plug it into a USB-C port on your computer for data transfers at up to 5Gbps, or 5000Mbps. The affordable adapter also works with iPad and even recent iPhone models. Wi-Fi is wonderful… except when it’s not. It’s not the best solution for offices with dozens of computers, and wireless networking is inherently the less secure option. And it’s also often slower.
This 140W fast-charging beast of a power bank will destroy your nomophobia
You know the feeling: You’re midflight, knee-deep in an important email or crushing it in a gaming session — and your laptop battery hits 1%. Panic mode activated. But with the Iniu Leopard 140W power bank, that nightmare (technically, it’s called nomophobia) never needs to happen again. This airline-approved power bank isn’t just another bulky battery pack, either.
You have to see this super-slim, 15-inch portable display [Review]
The espresso Display 15 doubles down on appearance. Not only does it have a great-looking LCD, its aluminum-and-glass exterior makes the screen match a MacBook or iPad perfectly. Even better, it comes with a clever magnetic stand that can hold the display above your notebook, or beside it if you prefer. espresso’s 17-inch Pro version from 2023 is the best portable monitor I’ve used, so I went into my review of the smaller version with high expectations.
Affordable iPad stylus copies one of Apple Pencil Pro’s best features
The Geo Digital Pencil from ESR costs a quarter of what Apple Pencil Pro does, but both iPad styli support Find My so they can be easily located. And they cling magnetically to an iPad, and can be used for writing or sketching. In addition, ESR also unveiled a mouse that magnetically attaches to a MacBook for easy portability. ESR Geo Digital Pencil works with Apple’s Find My network Apple Pencil Pro is the 500-pound gorilla of iPad styli.
Super-slim espresso Display 15 offers luxury on a budget
The espresso Display 15, an ultra-thin 15-inch monitor, launched Tuesday. It boasts an aerospace aluminum casing, not the usual plastic, but a lower price than previous high-end portable displays from this company. It gets power and data from a MacBook or iPad via a single USB-C connection. It’s paired with Stand+, an ergonomic stand with a surprising trick.
Great-looking portable display does double duty as USB-C hub [Review] ★★★★½
The Plugable 15.6” USB-C Portable Display connects to MacBook or iPad to add more screen space, but that’s only the start: it’s also a hub with a pair of high-speed USB-C ports available for external drives, a keyboard, etc. As a person who regularly works outside of the office with an iPad Pro, I’m more than qualified to test this accessory for road warriors who are perpetually short of USB-C ports. Here’s why I love it. This post contains affiliate links.
Belkin power banks keep iPhone and MacBook going and going
Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 10K w/ Integrated Cable lets users charge their iPhone or other device without needing to worry about a separate USB-C cable. And it can juice up two devices at once. Those who need more power can turn to Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro 3-Port Laptop Power Bank 20K. Wall chargers certainly have an important role, but they aren’t much use when there are no power sockets around. An external battery is always ready to give your iPhone, Mac or iPad some juice, though.
Full-size travel keyboard with numpad folds to be surprisingly portable [Review] ★★★★½
The ProtoArc XK01 Tri-Fold Bluetooth Keyboard is ready to make your business trips more productive. It’s full size, with a numpad and function keys, too. But it folds down to fit easily in a briefcase. It’s available solo, or with a travel mouse, or as the centerpiece of a bundle with the mouse plus a USB-C hub and multi-port wall charger. I fully tested the folding keyboard with my 13-inch iPad Pro, plus the other components, too. This post contains affiliate links.
Western Digital launches world's first 6TB 2.5-inch portable HDDs
Western Digital expanded its WD, WD_BLACK and SanDisk Professional product lineups with 2.5-inch portable HHDs that, for the first time, can hold 6TB of data. Despite what some might expect, pricing is not through the roof. The new high-capacity hard drives (not SSDs) are available for under $200,and all cost less than $230. Expand your MacBook with WD 6TB portable HDD Adding external storage capacity is an easy way to expand the capabilities of any computer.
Baseus laptop power bank proves that thin is in [Review] [ON SALE]
Baseus Blade 2 Ultra-Thin Laptop Power Bank is loaded with great features, including two USB-C ports, 12,000 mAh of capacity, a max of 65W output and a built-in status display. But what sets it part from the pack is its design. It’s slim enough to go easily into bags designed for MacBook and iPad. And it’s relatively lightweight, too. I tested the Baseus Blade 2 with my gear. Here’s how well the accessory lived up to its promise. March 25 only: Baseus is offering $30 off the regular cost.
Baseus laptop power bank proves that thin is in [Review]
Baseus Blade 2 Ultra-Thin Laptop Power Bank is loaded with great features, including two USB-C ports, 12,000 mAh of capacity, a max of 65W output and a built-in status display. But what sets it part from the pack is its design. It’s slim enough to go easily into bags designed for MacBook and iPad. And it’s relatively lightweight, too. I tested the Baseus Blade 2 with my gear. Here’s how well the accessory lived up to its promise. On sale: Baseus is offering $30 off the regular cost.
Easily add two HDMI monitors to any Mac with this simple adapter
Those looking for loads of screen space can connect a pair of HDMI monitors to their MacBook with the newly released Plugable USBC-6950M adapter. And it can do this with Macs that ordinarily support only one external display. This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items. MacBooks are designed to be slim and lightweight, but they accomplished this by skimping on ports. Some models have a single HDMI port, but none have more than that.
Keep your old NVMe SSD useful with this rugged enclosure [Review] ★★★★★
Have an M.2 NVMe drive you want to use with your MacBook or iPad? Put it in the HyperDrive Next USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure and you can access the contents at speeds up to 40Gbps. I plugged a solid state drive of mine into this very rugged enclosure to put it to the test. HyperDrive Next USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure review Changing our computer setups sometimes results in good accessories getting orphaned.
Keep your old NVMe SSD useful with this rugged enclosure [Review]
Have an M.2 NVMe drive you want to use with your MacBook or iPad? Put it in the HyperDrive Next USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure and you can access the contents at speeds up to 40Gbps. I plugged a solid state drive of mine into this very rugged enclosure to put it to the test. HyperDrive Next USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure review Changing our computer setups sometimes results in good accessories getting orphaned.
Zagg’s new Bluetooth keyboard also does wireless charging [Review] ★★★★☆
The Zagg Pro Keyboard 12 is a slim, lightweight desktop keyboard that uses Bluetooth so no data cable is required. And it also charges wirelessly so it never needs a cable of any kind. The accessory can be paired with multiple devices, and switch easily between them. I tested the membrane keyboard in my home office for several weeks. Here’s what it’s like in real-world use. This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
Double your fun and productivity with this second screen for your laptop
If you’re looking to upgrade your laptop setup, check out this portable dual-screen magic. Imagine your laptop, but with a cool extra screen sliding out. It’s like having a twin for your work! Say hello to the Mobile Pixels Duex Plus: the champ of portable dual-screen laptop monitors. It’s got all the things you’d wish for in a second screen, plus it’s totally travel-friendly. And guess what? Right now, it’s up for grabs at a sweet price of just $249.97.
Make your MacBook Pro charger and cable last longer
If you’re on the road a lot for work, you know your computer accessories — like chargers and cables — can take a beating. That’s why Elago now offers its MacBook Charger Cable Management Case. Want to extend the life of your charger and cable? Check out the clever new Mac cable case, which costs just $14.99 in the Cult of Mac Store.
Latest mophie powerstation more than doubles iPhone battery life [Review] ★★★★☆
The 2023 version of the mophie powerstation packs in 10,000 mAh and a trio of USB ports to charge your Apple or Android devices. It can keep an iPhone 14 going for a weekend, or give a boost to a MacBook or iPad. I put the external battery to through testing to see how well it stands up to real-world use. mophie powerstation (2023) review It’s hard to imagine getting by without an iPhone. I need mine for texts, driving directions, ebooks, games… heck, it’s mostly how I keep in touch with the world.
Go old school with very affordable new USB hub
Plugable just launched a hub for MacBook or iPad users who need to connect to multiple USB-A accessories. It includes four ports for legacy accessories, and connects to the computer via USB-C. The inexpensive hub is designed for use in an office or on the go. This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items. MacBook hub adds USB-A ports Apple still puts USB-A ports in its desktop Macs but MacBooks and iPads are just USB-C.
Go ultrawide with this BenQ monitor for creatives [Review]
The BenQ PD3420Q is a ultrawide monitor designed to appeal to creative professionals with its atypical shape and color consistency with MacBooks. The 34-inch screen has a 2K resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio. And there are some nice additions, like a HotKey Puck and built-in KVM. I tested the PD3420Q in my home office, exploring the advantages and drawbacks of the very wide screen.
Double data transfer speeds with Belkin’s affordable new USB-C hub
The Belkin Connect 4-Port USB-C Hub expands the number of accessories that can be plugged into a Mac or iPad without flattening your wallet. And its connections are fast: 10Gbps. That’s 2X the speed of other USB-C hubs. As a bonus, the product is made with 72% post-consumer recycled plastics. It’s part of a commitment the company has made to using PCR plastic. This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
Best add-on portable displays for MacBook or iPad Original
External screens for MacBook or iPad aren’t just convenient in the office — they’re also great to use on the go. There are a range of portable external displays on the market, including some with touchscreens. Here are my recommendations for the best screens ready to go with you to a coffee shop or Paris. This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
Connect 3 displays to any Mac with these new docking stations Original
Plugable expanded its product line with two new triple display USB-C docking stations. These can add three screens even to Macs that are ordinarily limited to one external monitor. The UD-3900PDH and UD-768PDZ docks also feature additional ports, including USB-A, Ethernet and SD card readers. This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items. More screens = more productivity Studies have shown that a second display increases productivity.
OWC’s new high-speed Thunderbolt dock takes 11 useful ports on the road [Review] Original
The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock was designed to be taken on trips, which is unusual for a hub that uses this extremely fast connection standard. While portable, it still has room for eleven ports in a range useful types, including Thunderbolt 4 (of course), USB-A, HDMI, USB-C and more. I put the dock through a series of real-world tests to see how well it performs.
Sleek new 7-in-1 USB-C dock offers dual 4K HDMI ports
Plugable’s new USB-C dock is small enough to be mistaken a hub but has room for seven ports. And that includes dual 4K HDMI ports that can be used even with Macs that ordinarily support only one external monitor. The USB-C HDMI Docking Station also has USB and Ethernet ports, as well as an SD card reader. This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
Add four monitors to any MacBook with new HDMI adapter from Plugable
Plugable’s new Quad HDMI Adapter can add up to four displays to a MacBook, even even ones that would otherwise only support only a single external monitor. The USB-C accessory is even portable. This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items. Four extra displays with this MacBook HDMI adapter The base model Apple M1 and M2 processors are easily powerful enough for average users but can only handle two displays.
Protect M1 MacBook Pro on the go with stylish SuitCase
Twelve South expanded its SuitCase line to the latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. The case offers three layers of protection, with the outer being quilted twill for a smart look. “When all you need is your MacBook for an off-site meeting, SuitCase is the ultimate shuttle,” says Twelve South. Be ready for meetings with SuitCase for MacBook It’s not a good idea to carry a MacBook around naked. It could get scratched or broken in situations where a hard case would have kept it safe.
This 20,000 mAh power bank quickly charges two devices on the go [Review] ★★★★½
The Mophie Powerstation Pro boasts 20,000 mAh of power and dual USB-C ports to quickly deliver it to a MacBook or other computer at up to 45W. I put this hefty power bank through real-world testing with my Apple devices. He’s how it stood up. Mophie Powerstation Pro review The best MacBook or iPad the Apple makes becomes useless as soon as the battery runs out. These devices can go a long time on a single charge, but they can still run out of you spend enough time away from a wall socket.
HyperJuice wall charger pumps a whopping 140 watts into MacBook Pro
MacBooks can take a lot of juice, and the HyperJuice 140W PD 3.1 USB-C Charger can dish it out. The three-port wall charger offers up to 140 watts of power, as its name indicates. Hyper’s offering is much smaller than Apple’s own 140W charger, while including more ports. New HyperJuice charger can fast charge a 2021 MacBook Pro Almost any USB-C charger can replenish a MacBook, but the more power the charger puts out, the sooner the computer is ready to go again.
Easily add external SSD to Mac with new Satechi drive enclosure
The Satechi USB-C Aluminum Tool-Free Enclosure allows M.2 PCIe NVMe and SATA solid state drives to be easily added to a Mac. Place the SSD in the rugged enclosure and it’s ready to plug into a laptop or desktop’s USB-C port. The accessory launched Tuesday and is available to purchase now. Add storage with SSD and Satechi USB-C Aluminum Tool-Free Enclosure M.2 PCIe NVMe and SATA solid state drives are widely available. These are physically somewhat small and add terabytes of storage capacity.
Turn your MacBook into a full workstation with this 13-in-1 dock
Apple took some flak a few years ago for eliminating many of the MacBook Pro’s ports, shedding the I/O selection for a sleeker design. Cupertino reversed course in 2021, returning some ports to MacBook Pros, but many Apple users still need to keep a collection of adapters to get the functionality they need. Now they can consolidate at an affordable price.
Unlock Kingston's newest SSD with its built-in touchscreen
The Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 External SSD includes a touchscreen and hardware encryption to protect user data. Unlock the XTS-AES 256-bit encryption by tapping in a password or numeric passcode onto the touchscreen. It’s available in capacities up to 1920 GB.
Connect a pair of 4K HDMI monitors to an M1 MacBook with this portable USB-C adapter [Review]
MacBooks with an Apple M1 processor can handle only one external monitor, but the OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Display Adapter with DisplayLink doubles the number. And Mac mini users can connect to three monitors with it. I put the USB-C HDMI adapter through a round of testing to be sure it lived up to the claims. OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Display Adapter with DisplayLink review The Apple M1 processor was a huge step forward when it was unveiled in 2020. It’s fast while drawing little power.
Add a trio of monitors to an M1 MacBook with new Anker docking station
With the Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station, a MacBook with an Apple M1 processor can handle three external monitors – two more than Apple designed the notebook to support. And the hub can do more than that. It also packs three USB-A ports and an Ethernet connection. Yes, an M1 MacBook with 3 external monitors Apple says its M1 MacBooks can only use one external display, but workarounds have been found. Most offer dual external monitors, but Anker went all in by adding up to three monitors.
HyperDrive USB-C dock packs HDMI and DisplayPort into pocket-size hub
The HyperDrive USB4 Mobile Dock offers ports for both HDMI and DisplayPort, giving users additional options for an external monitor. And the just-launched USB-C hub also includes dual USB-A ports, Ethernet and more. And all this fits into a package not much larger than a Magic Mouse.
Rugged new Samsung T7 Shield SSD survives rain, drops and dust
The Samsung T7 Shield is a a credit-card size external SSD intended for outdoor content creators or travelers. It’s drop, water and dust resistant, and offers up to 2TB of capacity. This new rugged version joins other SSDs in the Samsung T7 line. Samsung T7 Shield SSD can take punishment “The T7 Shield is ideal for creative professionals and consumers who want a durable, high-performance and reliable portable SSD.
Add 1TB of storage to 2021 MacBook Pro with JetDrive Lite 330
News The JetDrive Lite 330 might be the best option for Time Machine backups for the 22021 MacBook Pro. Photo: Transcend The Transcend JetDrive Lite 330 is now available with 1TB of storage. This SD card is designed specifically to add to the capacity of the 2021 MacBook Pro, and sit flush with the card slot. Once inserted, the card acts like any other drive. And data transfers are fast enough for Time Machine backups. This post contains affiliate links.
Add Ethernet and 6 more ports to MacBook with this clip-on USB-C hub [Review]
Reviews Top stories The HyperDrive Duo Pro clips to a MacBook and adds HDMI, USB-A, Ethernet and more. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac The HyperDrive Duo Pro 7-in-2 USB-C Hub plugs into the side of a MacBook to add a variety of useful ports. The standout is Ethernet, but there’s also USB-A, HDMI and microSD. I did real-world testing of the 2022 version of this clip-on hub, and found that it lives up to the hype.
This 9-in-1 USB-C hub has it all for only $99
Daily Deals Top stories Add nine ports to your MacBook or iPad with this USB-C hub. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals Owning a sleek, modern laptop doesn’t mean you need to give up all the ports that make your computer useful. This Casa 9-in-1 USB-C hub only takes up one of your MacBook’s ports, but gives you nine different ways to connect. And right now, it’s on sale for $99 (regularly $119).
This cool auto-resizing stand holds MacBook or iPad vertically [Review]
Reviews The iVoler Vertical Laptop Stand saves room on your desk, and is just cool looking. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac What to do with your MacBook or iPad when you’re not using them? You can just leave them lying around but that’s wasteful of space. The iVoler Vertical Laptop Stand holds your computer upright, either when it’s charging or when you have an external screen and keyboard connected. Best of all, its clamp closes on your computer to securely hold it but also easily release it.
This battery pack juices MacBook at top speed, offers MagSafe for iPhone
News The MagSafe-compatible Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus power bank can charge up to six Apple devices at once. Photo: Chargeasap The Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus is for those who want a single battery that can replenish all their gear. All at once. It holds 25,000mAh and can charge a MacBook at up to 100W though USB-C, and has three other ports. But that’s just the start, as there’s a built-in MagSafe iPhone charger and an Apple Watch charger, too.
Put terabytes of high-speed storage on your desk with OWC’s NVMe U.2 SSD array [Review]
Reviews You can start the OWC Mercury Pro U.2 Dual with a fairly modest amount of storage than grow it to 64TB. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac The OWC Mercury Pro U.2 Dual can handle up to eight U.2 SSDs. And it can be pre-configured with up to 64TB. That’s a lot of storage capacity. Or put in your own SSDs. And the external drive enclosure uses Thunderbolt for high-speed connections to your Mac. Plus there’s RAID support. I put the drive holder through testing. Here’s what I found.
Accell’s new Thunderbolt 4 dock offers high-speed data transfers, plenty of ports
News The Accell Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station is ready for professional workloads. Photo: Accell The Accell Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station allows multiple peripheral connections to Mac through a single Thunderbolt 4 cable. It turns a single Thunderbolt port into two, while also offering DisplayPort, USB-A, Ethernet and more. The professional-grade hub is available for purchase starting Monday.
Add Ethernet and 6 more ports to MacBook with HyperDrive Duo Pro
News The HyperDrive Duo Pro adds the ports your MacBook needs without too much bulk. Photo: Hyper HyperDrive Duo Pro is a 7-in-2 USB-C Hub that plugs into the side of a MacBook to add a variety of ports, including Gigabit Ethernet, USB-A and microSD. It’s designed to not interfere with the new MagSafe 3 power port on the 2021 MacBooks, but the hub is also compatible with any Apple laptop going back to 2016.
You'll be seeing double with this portable touchscreen monitor for MacBook and more
Daily Deals Top stories You can connect your MacBook (and basically anything else) to this portable second screen. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals An extra screen on your workstation can do loads to boost your productivity and entertainment. The Desklab Portable Touchscreen Monitor (4K) is a plug-and-play screen for your laptop. And now this portable 4K touchscreen monitor is on sale for just $231.99 (regularly $700) with coupon code CMSAVE20.
Maximize your laptop screen real estate with double or triple screens
Daily Deals Top stories This extended Black Friday deal on secondary screens for your laptop is the best you'll find on the web. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals Just because you have a laptop doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a multiple-screen setup. Mobile Pixels Trio Max gives you one or two laptop screen extensions in a variety of sizes. And during this Black Friday weekend, you can get any of Mobile Pixels’ screen extensions on sale with coupon code BFSAVE20.
This cable easily connects Macs to monitors, and it’s on sale [Review]
News Reviews Top stories Connect your Mac directly to an HDMI monitor with this one cable. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac You won‘t need a MacBook with an HDMI port if you have Plugable’s USB-C to HDMI cable. Just run the cable between the external display and your Mac or iPad and you have 4K@60Hz. Even better, it’s currently available at a discount that lowers the price under $17. I tested this accessory in my home office to be sure it lives up to its promises. This post contains affiliate links.
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