Accessorize — Simple accessory upgrades for your MacBook Pro or Mac mini Get the most out of your Mac workstation with tools for productivity and comfort.

Corey Gaskin – Apr 6, 2023 1:00 pm UTC Enlarge / The latest MacBook Pro.Samuel Axon reader comments 0 with Share this story Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit

Further Reading2023 MacBook Pro review: A refined second generationApples latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros were released in January with new M2 Pro chips, alongside the new Mac mini with M2 and M2 Pro options. The range of configurations across these models offers users everything from a power-efficient document editor (though they’d certainly be overkill for that) to a full-on video and photo editing powerhouse.

Further ReadingM2 Pro Mac mini review: Apples Goldilocks desktop for semi-professionalsWhichever you choose, you’re likely going to need some accessoriesthat’s the nature of things with any new PC purchase, but with Macs in particular. Given that, we examined a handful of accessories to complete the package and help you get the most out of your workstation. Table of Contents Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and numpad for $160 (or without Touch ID and numpad for $99) Apple Magic Trackpad for $112 Gimarskeyboard and mouse wrist rest for $14 A do-it-all dock: CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 for $400 Use your iPhone as a webcam with Belkins iPhone camera mount with MagSafe for MacBooks ($30) and Macs ($40) An ultra-nice monitor: LGs UltraFine series A versatile Mac mini mount for $15 Enlarge Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and numpad for $160 (or without Touch ID and numpad for $99)

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and numpad For $175 at Amazon (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.) Apples Magic Keyboard is my favorite keyboard pairing with either the MacBook or Mac mini. If you opt for the version with Touch ID, you gain the Apple-specific perk of unlocking your computer with your fingerprint. But aside from its Mac-compatibility, the main reason I use this keyboard is its battery life.

I get weeks of use between charges on my Magic Keyboard, compared to about a week (with turning it on and off between uses, something I dont have to do with Apples keyboard) on my next-favorite Mac keyboard from Satechi. The key feel on the latest-generation keyboard with Touch ID is slightly snappier than the previous gen. I use the later-generation keyboard daily, and it feels more tactile than the built-in keyboard on my 2020 MacBook Pro. So, by no means is the later generation Magic Keyboard mushy.

To be clear, this won’t satisfy mechanical keyboard diehards. But if what you’re looking for is fast travel and sleek designin other words, the Apple approachthis is the way to go.

Forgoing the number pad can save you a few bucks, and if you need neither Touch ID nor a number pad, you can save a bigger chunk of change buying the last-generation Magic Keyboard versus the latest Touch ID- and numpad-equipped one.

The good Tactile, comfortable keyboard Touch ID integration lets you leave the MacBook closed and still log in with your fingerprint Weeks of battery life

The bad No backlighting Enlarge Apple Magic Trackpad for $112

Apple Magic Trackpad For $112 at Amazon (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.) Apples Magic Trackpad isnt as much magic as it is a trackpad. Its essentially a MacBooks trackpad, lifted from the laptop and placed (with a slight incline) on your desk. This is an indispensable tool for my workflow. Chronic multitaskers like me cant do without easy, gesture-based access to macOS Mission Control (aka app switcher). It has become my second nature to flick around from task to task, in stride, and without interruption or slowdown. Advertisement

Bringing this functionality to the Mac mini is a no-brainer for me, and the latest generation improves the click feel and responsiveness. Compared to the first-gen, it requires less force to initiate a click. It also still supports Apples Force Touch gesture, which adds another programmable function for especially hard presses.

The good Brings all of Apple’s MacBook trackpad gestures to the desktop Slim, simple design, easy to travel with Weeks of battery life

The bad Ergonomically fatiguing, needs a wrist rest to help Enlarge / Gimars’ keyboard and mouse wrist rests come together in a pack. They combine memory foam and gel to create a “floating on air” feeling for your wrists.Corey Gaskin Gimarskeyboard and mouse wrist rest for $14

Gimars keyboard and mouse wrist rest For $14 at Amazon (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.) Most keyboards, mice, and especially trackpads arent ergonomically friendly. Apples are no exception. Whether were talking about the built-in set on a MacBook or standalone peripherals the company offers, pairing them with a good wrist rest set is essential for improved comfort.

Gimars’ wrist rests stand out for their memory foam and gel combination. It gives your wrists a “floating on air” feeling, and the Lycra fabric covering is soft and breathable. It feels both plush and supportive.

Further ReadingOur 22 favorite desk accessories for a more organized and comfy workplaceThey come in a set that includes a keyboard and mouse wrist rest, offered in a variety of colors, all of which are as supple and effective at sweat-wicking as the next. Thankfully, there are no strange chemical odors from the materials, either, which is something we noticed on others weve used. Ive been using mine for over a year now, and the suppleness and support is just as good as the day I got it; it has neither compressed nor cratered.

The good Plush yet supportive No strange chemical smells Still springy and soft after over a year of use Moisture wicking Many color choices

The ba None, it’s a wrist rest that nails its job. Enlarge / CalDigit’s TS4 Thunderbolt dock has 18 ports, five more than the TS3 Plus.Corey Gaskin A do-it-all dock: CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 for $400

CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 For $400 at Amazon (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.) The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros are the two Apple laptops with the most varied port selection. They have three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and an SD card slot. If you only need one or two other specific ports, or you need mobility, you can always go the a la carte route and buy separate adapters, but that can add up quickly.

Further ReadingThe Ars Technica ultimate buying guide for your home office setupIf youre more of a desktop worker, CalDigits Thunderbolt docks have long been among our top picks for docking stations. The latest Thunderbolt Station 4 has 18 ports and can charge your 14-inch MacBook Pro at full speed (96 watts)even while other peripherals are plugged in.

Among the many ports are three Thunderbolt 4, three USB-C, five USB-A, DisplayPort 1.4, SD and microSD 4.0 UHS-II, 2.5Gb Ethernet, two 3.5 mm audio outs (one in the front and one in back), and one 3.5 mm audio in. It can also support a single 8K display or dual 6K displays at 60 Hz for M2 Pro-based devices, like your 14- and 16-inch MacBooks. Having easy access to all of those ports, in both the back and front, makes the TS4 a great option for MacBooks and Mac minis alike. Advertisement

The good Adds 18 ports to your computer Can charge your 14- or 16-inch MacBook at top speed, and other devices simultaneously Relatively compact

The bad Expensive Enlarge / Belkin has an iPhone camera mount for both monitors and MacBook laptops. Use your iPhone as a webcam with Belkins iPhone camera mount with MagSafe for MacBooks ($30) and Macs ($40)

Belkin MagSafe iPhone camera mount For MacBooks: $30 For Macs: $40 (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.) Not all Mac users also have an iPhone, but if you’re one who does, this is worth considering. For those who attend a lot of video calls, Apples Continuity Camera feature is a great way to make your iPhone into a high-quality webcam. Essentially, the feature turns your iPhone into a webcam and microphone for your Mac desktop or MacBook laptop.

Belkin makes adjustable mounts for MacBooks and Macs that utilize MagSafe to mount your iPhone to your computer or desktop display. They can mount your phone in portrait or landscape mode and tilt it downward up to 25 degrees. Both are compatible with iPhone 12 and newer running iOS 16 and MacBooks from 2019 and newer running Ventura. Both the iPhone and computer must be signed in to the same Apple ID.

The good Gives your Mac or MacBook a high-resolution, higher-fidelity webcam Fits on any MacBook or monitor Adjustable

The bad Some might not like the aesthetics of mounting a phone on their screen Enlarge An ultra-nice monitor: LGs UltraFine series

LG UltraFine Monitors 24-inch Thunderbolt 3 for $598 27-inch USB-C for $383 (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.) LGs UltraFine monitors are a fine choice to pair with your Mac. The 24-inch UltraFine 4K 60Hz monitor has two Thunderbolt 3 ports and three USB-C, and it can power MacBooks up to 85 W. It even has built-in macOS features that enable you to adjust brightness and volume from your Mac.

If youre already using a capable dock like those we recommended, then you can save a couple bucks and gain a few inches with LGs 27- or 32-inch UltraFine USB-C monitors. They still support 4K at 60 Hz but lack power delivery and the other additional ports found on the more expensive Thunderbolt-toting model.

Whichever you choose, you can expect solid viewing angles, rich colors, and smoothness that can even work in a pinch for gaming. If gaming is your primary objective, you may want to look at something with a higher 90 or 120 Hz refresh rate.

The good Thunderbolt 3 version functions as a Thunderbolt-equipped dock Powers your MacBook MacOS compatibility allows you to adjust brightness from your keyboard (Thunderbolt version)

The bad Some models get up there in price Enlarge / The mount can affix to a monitor, desk, or wall. A versatile Mac mini mount for $15

Humancentric Mac Mini Mount For $15 at Amazon (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.) A clean desk is essential to a comfortable workspace, and HumanCentrics Mac mini mount gives mini users a variety of ways to achieve that tidiness. The VESA-compatible mount works with all Mac Mini models. You can mount it under your desk, on the wall, or even on the back of a VESA monitor. It comes with drywall and VESA screws, and when its mounted still allows for some air pass-through for cooling. For $15, its an aesthetic and organizational upgrade thats hard to beat.

The good Mounts on a wall, behind a monitor, under or on a desk Fits all Mac mini models from 2010 onward Gives some space for heat dissipation Comes with VESA screws and drywall anchor screws

The bad Does not include short wood screws

Misc a la carte accessories

If youre looking for a very bare-bones, specific setup, sometimes all you need is the right cable or adapter. Below are a few items you might find handy. USB-C Digital AV multiport adapter for $6 USB-C to USB-A Adapter $19 USB-C to MagSafe 3 (two meter) $49 Thunderbolt 4 Cable (2.3 feet) for $36 14-inch MacBook Case for $29 16-inch MacBook Case for $29 reader comments 0 with Share this story Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Corey Gaskin Corey Gaskin is a Senior Commerce Writer with a huge soft spot for wearables, phones, VR, and overly-ambitious technology. He lives in Los Angeles and visits New Jersey (home) often. Email corey.gaskin@arstechnica.com // Twitter @real_gaskin Advertisement Channel Ars Technica ← Previous story Related Stories Today on Ars