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Apple’s MacBook Pro line is more exciting than ever. After years of the entire lineup suffering from poor keyboards, the current laptops up for sale are excellent devices with faster chips, great keyboards, and a revamped design. These laptops are undoubtedly terrific devices for people needing a fast and reliable machine to help them with their day-to-day tasks. Of course, whether you’re upgrading your MacBook Pro or just looking to expand how you use your laptop, stocking up on accessories for your MacBook can improve your overall experience. The Apple ecosystem is one of the best you can invest in, and accessories are a vital part of it. You might be disappointed with the limited ports the MacBook comes with, so a USB hub could fix that for you. For those worried that their laptops can get damaged from accidental bumps or drops, a durable case would be ideal for you. The list goes on, and we highly doubt that you won’t find at least one accessory that could add value to your entire MacBook experience. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for gift ideas for the Mac fanboy in your life, these are the must-have accessories for your MacBook Pro in 2022.
If you own a MacBook Pro, you know that Apple only includes USB Type-C ports and has already stopped adding USB Type-A ports. While some—including us—would argue that a USB-C to standard USB adapter should come included with all MacBook Pros, that’s unfortunately not how Apple works. Many people still use traditional flash drives, and a way to solve the issue is to buy an adapter. Apple has a USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter, but some might think its $19 price tag might be too much. As with all products from the company, you pay a premium price for a product that promises a premium experience. You can use it with the accessories, drives, and cables you probably already own. The adapter has a signature Apple design and blends in well with the brand’s usual line of white plastic cables with glossy tips. Their adapter is available from a number of online retailers, including Apple itself. Do be warned if you’re buying from Amazon—some users have reported receiving fakes and non-Apple manufactured adapters. Luckily, most people who receive official Apple-branded adapters from Amazon report having a great experience with the adapter.
Deliver fast data transfersApple's adapter promise name-brand qualitySignature Apple design that matches other Apple cable
ExpensiveIt's possible to receive a fake product when you buy from other sites like Amazon
A simple adapter would be beneficial if you only plan to connect one cable, drive, etc. to your MacBook Pro, but if you regularly connect different things to your laptop, you would be better off investing in a USB hub like the Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2. It has three USB Type-A ports with a maximum data transfer speed of 5Gbps. Its HDMI port is beneficial for those who use external monitors with their laptops since it allows you to plug your laptop onto a monitor using a standard HDMI cable. The hub’s HDMI port supports 4K at 60Hz, so you can rest assured that you will get crystal-clear quality. Users will also get an Ethernet port, which Apple doesn’t include in their line of laptops anymore. If the USB Type-C ports on your MacBook Pro weren’t enough, you could use the USB Type-C port on the hub with 60W power delivery. Those with cameras will love how the hub has an SD and microSD card reader, making transferring your photos and videos a breeze. The Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2 has a slim and compact design that allows you to travel with it easily. It comes in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold, which matches the entire aesthetic of your MacBook Pro. One crucial thing to note about the product is that it can heat up when overworked, so you should still be cautious about how many devices you’re plugging in simultaneously. The Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2 isn’t the most affordable option because it’s worth around $80, but we believe it’s a worthwhile investment.
Portable and stylishWorks with various devicesHas a USB Type-C port with 60W power deliveryHDMI port supports 4K at 60HzMicroSD/SD card reader
PriceyCan heat up
Those who regularly use their MacBook Pros outdoors know that its battery life can’t last one full day, and you will most likely need to find a nearby power outlet to continue working. Fortunately, there are power banks like the Omni 20+ that are powerful enough to charge your MacBook Pro. Its battery capacity is at 20,000mAh, so you can get enough extra juice to keep your laptop from dying when you’re out of your house. The power bank comes with a 100W AC output, a 100W DC input/output, a USB Type-C port with 60W power delivery, and two 18W USB Type-A ports. It even comes with a built-in 10W wireless charger you can use for your compatible mobile devices and Bluetooth accessories. You would think such a powerful battery pack would be large and bulky, but the Omni 20+ is compact, allowing you to store it easily inside your bags. The power bank’s unique feature is its small OLED screen that shows you smart power readings. It supports pass-through charging, so you can charge the power bank while your devices are plugged in. It also supports solar charging, so you can still recharge it when you’re in a remote area with no access to any power outlet.
100W AC output and 100W DC input/outputUSB Type-C port with 60W power delivery2 18W USB Type-A portsSupports 10W wireless chargingPass-through charging and solar chargingTravel-friendly
ExpensiveLimited to 1 extra full charge for MacBooks
Many people don’t find the need to invest in desktop computers anymore because you can still achieve a desktop experience with laptops like a MacBook Pro. You can do this by buying yourself an external monitor, which you can connect to your laptop using an HDMI cable. Your monitor at home will most likely not be that portable, so you might not think you won’t get the same enhanced productivity when you decide to work outdoors or travel. Thankfully, portable monitors are a thing, and one of the best you can get your hands on is the Asus ZenScreen (MB16ACE). It’s a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS with a slim and lightweight design, so you won’t have trouble bringing it around. The monitor has a hybrid-signal solution that supports video and power transmission. You won’t need adaptors to use this monitor with your MacBook Pro because it supports USB Type-C connections. The Asus ZenScreen has auto-rotation capabilities and can tell when it’s in a landscape or portrait orientation. The display’s foldable lite smart case adds more value to your entire experience because it can also be used as a stand. The monitor is ideal for those who have to work long hours daily since its Asus Eye Care capabilities with Low Blue Light and Flicker-free technologies ensure you won’t experience eye fatigue or strain even after several hours of working. If there were areas the monitor could improve, it would be its overall color performance and resolution. 4K displays have been around for many years now, and we think many people would be happier if they had a portable 4K monitor. The monitor only has a 60Hz refresh rate, so it won’t be perfect for those who need it for gaming.
Lightweight and portableUSB Type-C connectivityExcellent contrast ratio and brightnessLarge Full HD IPS display
Color performance could be betterNot 4K60Hz refresh rate
You can already get MacBook Pros with up to 8TB of storage, but you’ll have to pay a pretty hefty price tag that may be way over your budget. Thankfully, you can settle for the cheapest model, the 512GB variant, and still get all the extra space you need. You need to invest in an external drive like the Samsung T7 Touch Portable SSD. External HDDs are usually cheaper, but SSDs are ideal for those who want faster data transfer speeds. The Samsung T7 Touch is compact and lightweight, so you can bring it anywhere with you. You can pick between a 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB version. This portable SSD can reach read speeds of up to 1,050 Mb/s and write speeds of up to 1,000 Mb/s. A unique feature that makes it stands out is its enhanced security brought by its fingerprint scanner and password protection. The drive has a dedicated LED status indicator that lets you know what you’re drive is up to with a simple glance. Users don’t have to worry about whether the drive is fragile or not because it’s shock-resistant and durable enough to withstand 6-foot drops. MacBook Pro users don’t have to purchase extra adaptors to plug the drive in because it already comes with a USB Type-C to C cable. There’s also an included USB Type-C to A cable for when you need to plug it into other devices. The drive isn’t limited to being used on laptops only because you can connect it to gaming consoles and mobile devices. The Samsung T7 Touch Portable SSD is available in Black and White.
Compact and portableExcellent read/write speedsDurable and shock-resistantFingerprint and password securityLED status indicator
PriceyHighest storage capacity available is only 2TBNot waterproofCould still be faster
For those who use their MacBooks with an external keyboard or monitor, you will most likely want your laptop to be elevated. It saves you more space and relieves any shoulder or neck strain. The Twelve South Curve Stand is a fantastic option because it’s both functional and stylish. It has a modern and elegant aesthetic and is available in Matte Black and White. The arms of the stand have a raised edge that keeps your laptop in place, and its anti-slip silicone ensures you won’t get any scratches. The stand’s curve can raise your MacBook by about six inches, improving your overall posture while working. Your laptop will get all the airflow it needs when it’s on the stand since its curve keeps the base of your laptop exposed. The stand is best for laptops between 11-17 inches, but it’s so strong that it can even support a 27-inch iMac. The Twelve South Curve Stand will help keep your workspace spacious and clutter-free. Unfortunately, the stand isn’t too budget-friendly because it comes with a price tag of $59.99.
Minimalist and stylish designDurableArms have raised edges and anti-slip siliconeExcellent ergonomicsProvides proper airflow for your laptop
PriceyNot height-adjustable
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