7 Best Accessories for the MacBook Pro With Touch Bar
Read on to discover seven of the best accessories for the MacBook Pro with toolbar...
I've been a MacBook enthusiast for many years, and my wife and children also have them. My experience is that there are many fantastic accessories for Macs out there that can enhance your portable computing experience with fun, style, and added utility.
These accessories are great options if you're looking to treat yourself, but they can also make great gifts for family and friends at birthdays, Christmas, and other life events and celebrations.
Some accessories are about improving the laptop's appearance, and some are just for amusement, but all need to take into account practicality and functionality, as far as I'm concerned.
7 Great MacBook Pro Accessories
- Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Dock: Compact and Well-Made Connectivity
- SanDisk Ultra 32GB Dual Drive USB Type-C: Easy Portable Data Storage
- Anker SD Card Reader Adapter: Convenient and Inexpensive
- Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse: Comfortable and Versatile
- The Grid-It: Slim and Easy Organization
- 6. DHK Vintage Leather Messenger Bag: Comfort and Style
- Rain Design mStand: Affordable Ergonomics
I explain my selections in more detail below and describe my experience with each product.
I use an Elgato to keep my older devices connected. It's a well-made and compact dock that I take with me wherever I go.
1. Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Dock: Compact and Well Made Connectivity
Apple took a hit in some quarters for switching to USB-C technology on the new MacBooks (which they named "Thunderbolt 3"). That's a pain if you're like me and want to connect older devices to your Mac.
I get around this with an Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Dock. Compact and beautifully constructed, the Elgato is portable enough to keep with me wherever I go.
In addition to enabling me to connect additional devices to my machine, it also keeps connected devices charged up, which I like.
You can buy an Elgato dock online for around $250.
I use a SanDisk Ultra 32GB Dual Drive when I want to store and transfer data. The great thing about this flash drive is that you can switch it between USB-C and USB-3 using a slider to enable the setting that you want.
2. SanDisk Ultra 32GB Dual Drive USB Type-C: Easy Portable Data Storage
Another connectivity issue that I've encountered with the latest MacBook is with data storage and transfer. One easy way to get around this is with a SanDisk Ultra 32GB Dual Drive, I've found.
The SanDisk is great because I can switch the flash drive from USB-C to USB-3 or vice versa easily using a slide setting. That makes transferring data to and from the MacBook very straightforward. I bought mine for less than $20, which is a bargain in my opinion.
The Anker 2-in-1 USB 3.0 SD Card Reader is for SDXC, SDHC, SD, Micro SDHC Card, MMC, RS-MMC, Micro SDXC, Micro SD, and UHS-I Cards.
3. Anker 2-in-1 USB 3.0 SD Card Reader: Convenient and Inexpensive
The latest MacBook Pro has no slot for an SD card. That's frustrating for people like my wife who like to use a digital camera. I bought her an Anker SD Card Reader, which solved this problem with minimal expense.
The only limitation that I should warn you about with this device is that it can only read one SD card at a time (there's one slot for SD and a second for Micro SD). That doesn't really impair my wife, but it may put off others.
In my experience, the Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse provides a comfortable user experience with plenty of useful features. It offers excellent value for money and even outperforms the Apple Magic Mouse in my opinion.
4. Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse: Comfortable and Versatile
If you perform a lot of mouse-busy tasks like me (such as video editing or gaming), then it's worth considering an upgrade. I've been using a Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse for the past six months. It's comfortable for all-day use and has all the features that I need.
Don't get me wrong, I love the Apple Magic Mouse (it's my second favorite mouse for my Mac), but the MX Master offers better value for money, and perhaps more importantly, better performance overall.
This mouse is versatile. I generally connect via a USB wireless receiver, but there is also a Bluetooth option, which has come in very useful when I'm away traveling.
The Grid-it Organizer is such a great idea. I use it to organize all my devices, cables, and adapters whenever I go anywhere. The Grid-it is easy to store in my laptop bag and I can take it out and be up and ready to go within a few minutes.
5. The Cocoon Grid-It: Slim and Easy Organization
It was actually my wife that first discovered the Cocoon Grid-It Organizer. A coworker demonstrated it to her and she was impressed. Knowing how much I've struggled in the past to manage all my gadgets and devices when traveling, she bought me one as a gift.
It really is a great idea. The woven elasticated bands enable me to fasten my cables, adapters, and dongles in any configuration that I want, and the size of the Grid-it I use is ideal for carrying in my laptop bag. I can pull it out of the bag and be set up for a meeting the way that I want within a few minutes. I have a large grey one, but the Grid-it comes in a variety of sizes and colors.
The DHK 18-Inch Vintage Handmade Leather Messenger Bag Laptop Briefcase Computer Satchel Bag is both stylish and sturdy.
6. DHK Vintage Leather Messenger Bag: Comfort and Style
I've owned many messenger bags over the years, but the DHK Vintage Leather Computer Satchel is easily my favorite. It simply oozes comfort and style, and it often attracts positive attention when I take it to a business meeting or a social situation.
There's plenty of room for a MacBook in the spacious middle compartment plus lots of room for other stuff. The bag features both a handle and a comfortable shoulder strap, so it can be carried like a briefcase or a satchel.
This really is an exceptional bag for the price. I bought mine for under $70 online and have been really pleased with the quality ever since.
The Rain Design mStand Laptop Stand is an excellent accessory for those of us who sit at our MacBooks for long periods of time. Typing and viewing are more comfortable, and the stand also allows better airflow and cooling.
7. Rain Design mStand: Affordable Ergonomics
If you're seated at your MacBook Pro for long hours each day like me, then you appreciate that even subtle things like the height and angle of the keyboard and screen can make a big difference to the quality of your user experience.
I use a Rain Design mStand Laptop Stand because in addition to improving things like airflow and cooling, it makes typing at my Mac more comfortable thanks to the screen being raised to eye level and the tilt design.
There is plenty of room underneath the stand for organized cabling and devices like my hard drive. (My cat has been known to make his home under there too on occasion.)
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
© 2014 Paul Goodman
Comments
jamelcadle on February 08, 2018:
Thaks to your review what I need now is Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Dock)) and Thule Gauntlet)) Also, here's another good review of some MacBook Pro accessories: https://macblogger.org/accessories/best-macbook-pr...
Eslam Elewa from United States on November 06, 2016:
Mac Pro still the best but there are some touch screen laptops like microsot surface that very good
