It comes as no surprise that the Macbook is so popular. Apple’s OS is more intuitive, more robust, and, in some cases, more straightforward than standard Windows models, but while Macs shine in the tech department, they tend to fall behind the competition when it comes to added features. It’s not to say these features don’t exist, but more so that they don’t come standard like they do in competing models.
Fortunately, Apple, and plenty of other brands, have created countless accessories to help up your Macbook’s game, add more features and bring new features. Let’s take a look at our 5 favorite Macbook Pro accessories below.
1. Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro
Specification
- Number of Displays Supported: 2
- Maximum Resolution Supported: 4096 x 2160 at 60 Hz (Dual Display) 5120 x 2880 at 30 Hz (Single Display)
- Data Transfer Rate: 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt 3
- Operating System Support: Windows, macOS/OS X
- UASP Support: No
The power, speed and pixels of Thunderbolt 3 are best in class, and this smart dock brings all the benefits in a single docking station solution. Through the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro, you can enjoy Ultra-High Definition monitor support, up to 40 Gbps transfer rates, 85W of power to your MacBook, and support for multiple peripherals, USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet, SD and Audio ports — all through a single cable.
Its updated technology allows you to deliver 85 watts of power to your Mac without the need for an additional power supply. It supports dual 4k displays, allowing you to connect to both the DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 3 ports included on the dock.
The SD card slot supports Ultra-High-Speed II, to transfer data quickly at up to 312 MB/s bus speed. Supporting standard SD cards, SDHC (High-Capacity) cards and SDXC (Extended-Capacity) cards, UHS-II can transfer a full day’s camera footage three times faster than UHS-I.
So it can be one of the best options for you because its Innovative solution designed to suit both professional and at-home users.
Pros
- Works with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C
- High display resolutions
- 10Gbps USB-A
Cons
- Expensive
2. Samsung T7 Touch Portable SSD
Specification
- Interface: Compatible with USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gbps), backwards compatible
- Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB (Black), 500GB, 1TB, 2TB (Silver)
- Transfer Speed: Up to 1,050 MB/s
- Weight: 58 g
Light and pocket-sized, the Portable SSD T7 both delivers fast speeds and safeguards data for an easy way to store and transfer large files. Experience everyday high performance in your work and play with the T7.
Transfer massive files within seconds with the incredible speed of USB 3.2 Gen 2 on the T7. The embedded PCIe NVMe technology facilitates sequential read/write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s, respectively, making the T7 almost twice as fast as the previous T5 model.
Pocket-sized and slim, the lightweight body comes standard on the T7. Roughly the size of a credit card and weighing in at 58 grams, the solid aluminum unibody construction fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.
Besides it is embedded with upgraded software for PCs and Macs to help you set up a password and get the latest firmware updates. So, it will be a perfect match for you.
Pros
- Fast everyday reader and writer
- Fingerprint scanner (optional use)
- Extremely affordable for a secure drive
- Runs only warm to the touch
Cons
- Slightly slower during long sustained writes than the T5
- Three-year warranty is on the short side
3. Apple Airpods
Specification
- Model: AirPods with Charging Case
- Frequency Range: 45 kHz
- Headset Weight: 4 Grams (Each)
- Water Resistant: Yes
Apple Airpods will forever change the way you use headphones after a simple one-tap setup, AirPods work like magic. Whenever you pull your AirPods out of the charging case, they instantly turn on and connect to your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac. Audio automatically plays as soon as you put them in your ears and pauses when you take them out.
AirPods deliver 5 hours of listening time, 1 and 3 hours of talk time on a single charge. And they’re made to keep up with you, thanks to a Wireless Charging Case that holds multiple charges for more than 24 hours of listening time.
Powered by the all-new Apple H1 headphone chip, AirPods use optical sensors and motion accelerometers to detect when they’re in your ears. And when you’re on a call or talking to Siri, an additional speech-detecting accelerometer works with beamforming microphones to filter out external noise and focus on the sound of your voice.
If you’re a regular Macbook user, this accessory is the perfect companion.
Pros
- Faster connection on iOS devices
- Lightweight
- Reliable battery life
- Comfortable design
Cons
- Lack ambient listening mode
- Lacks Noise Isolation
4. Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless Mouse.
Specification
- Sensor Type: Laser
- Programmable Buttons: 6
- LED Zones and Colors: 0
- Package Dimensions: 18 x 14.2 x 6 cm; 141 Grams
- Weight: 0.3 pounds (141g)
Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless Mouse is instant precision and infinite potential. It’s the most advanced Master Series mouse yet – designed for creatives and engineered for coders. It works on any surface even on glass with Darkfield 4000 DPI sensor. It is faster and 5x more precise than the basic mouse.
The MX Master 3 prides itself on various types of wireless connectivity. USB, Bluetooth, Windows, Mac, Android, even iOS (with a few tweaks). Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless Mouse works with every system and both major connection protocols. Since you can pair it with three devices simultaneously, you won’t have to pair and re-pair it too often; even then, the process takes less than a minute.
MX Master 3 stays powered for up to 70 days on a full charge – and gets three hours of use from a one-minute quick charge. So overall it is one of value for money accessories.
Pros
- Can be used with multiple PCs simultaneously
- Pre-made and customizable app-specific profiles
- 4 GHz or Bluetooth
- Superb rated battery life
Cons
- DPI customization isn’t precise
- No USB receiver storage
- Not for lefties
5. Lacie 2TB Mobile External Hard Drive
Specification
- Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB
- Interface: USB-C (USB 3.0 compatible)
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 10 x 87.8 x 121.6 mm
- Weight: 0.2kg
Lacie 2TB Mobile External Hard Drive can be used for sharing and transferring data; storing photos, videos and music; taking important office data on the move; and performing a system backup. It delivers the space you need for photos, playlists, docs and more. It also gives you Mac, Windows, USB-C and USB 3.0 compatibility for easy, flexible access.
The perfect companion to your PC, the LaCie Mobile Drive delivers a storage solution in a package that fits in your pocket and features a rugged aluminum design to reliably protect your data.
By using the power supplied by the USB bus, you can easily move about with your files, free from power cords and cables, making it even easier to work when traveling. Plug and play with USB 2.0 interface, this lightweight, portable drive boasts transfer rates of up to 480Mbits/sec.
So this accessory is the perfect companion for desktop and notebook PCs to make easy on your regular life.
Pros
- Slick, faceted design.
- Solid-feeling aluminum enclosure.
- Useful LaCie Toolkit software handles backup and restore, as well as mirroring.
- On-the-mark performance.
Cons
- A little hefty.
- Toolkit utility requires a download.