What accessories to get started with your new Mac? | MacGeneration

Santa Claus has spoiled you this year: you had the pleasure of discovering a Chromebook a Mac under the Christmas tree! And a Mac without accessories is like a Christmas tree without decorations: the basics are there, but it would still be much nicer with two or three improvements. Here is a small selection of accessories to offer you in order to make the best use of your machine.

Getting off to a good start

First of all, don't hesitate to read our various reviews of the Macs currently on the market: they should give you a good idea of ​​your new machine, and why not to discover certain aspects of it. There has indeed been a lot to say about recent models, which mostly feature chips made by Apple.

These started rolling out last year to the MacBook Air and an early model MacBook Pro. Apple then added two new MacBook Pros with M1 Max and M1 Pro chips to the collection. And let's not forget the desktop computers: the Mac mini and the iMac, which should last you for many years. Performances, design, limitations... you will know everything about your new bike thanks to our detailed tests! And if you've recently changed your Mac, don't hesitate to put your old model up for sale on iOccasion, our classifieds service.

These machines run on macOS Monterey, an OS released this fall that brings a multitude of new features. To use your new Mac 100%, what better than a complete guide to its operating system written by a MacGeneration journalist? This book doesn't just cover what's new in Apple's OS, it helps you get the most out of Monterey's feature set by going into the details. Safari, Photos, Music, Notes, Reminders or Mail are scrutinized, and you will also find various tips to improve the security of your computer or to troubleshoot it in the event of problems.

Our macOS Monterey book is on sale!

The covers

In terms of accessories, the first essential purchase for a laptop is a sleeve. La Pomme markets various models on its site, of good quality but generally quite expensive. If they interest you, you should remember that unfortunately Apple does not offer anything for the new MacBook Pro. These inaugurate a larger and thicker format than previous generations, and Apple does not seem determined to release compatible accessories. On the Apple Store covers page, none of them are compatible with the 14" and 16" MacBook Pro.

There are no accessories optimized for the new MacBook Pro yet

You will therefore have to turn to Amazon or other resellers. In general, we recommend the Tomtoc brand, which offers good quality covers at fair prices and a model for the new 16" MacBooks. The MW brand is also tested and approved by the editorial staff: just remember to check compatibility of your computer before placing an order, so as not to end up with a cover that is too small.

By searching the net, you will find a shovelful of other models from lesser-known brands at more than affordable prices, but it is a purchase that we do not recommend. You might as well add fifteen euros and have something that will properly protect your machine over €1,000. Note that the most clumsy can also consider taking out an Apple Care + subscription to save expensive repair costs. A shell can also be an interesting investment: those of Hardshell (sold on the Apple Store) are of good quality. Be careful, however, not to buy just anything, because a bad hull could unnecessarily heat up your machine.

Usb-C hubs

Then comes the most important accessory for a Mac: the USB-C adapter. You will have noticed that the number of ports on Macs has shrunk dramatically in recent years, even if Apple seems to have wanted to retrace its steps for some time. A USB-C adapter will remain essential for connecting your classic USB keys, your external screen and an SD card. You can find plenty of them on Amazon with a wide selection depending on your budget: some have an Ethernet port, others Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort, etc. See what you need.

For our part, we recommend the Anker brand, which has classic hubs that can also be used on certain iPads, and models specially designed for Mac. Satechi offers a selection of interesting and quality USB-C accessories. If it's just to connect an occasional USB key, Apple markets a unique adapter (currently on sale) which has the advantage of not being bulky. For iMac owners who want a hub that doesn't clash with the general design of their machine, Hyper offers a model to hang under the chin of the computer that allows you to recover up to 6 ports.

And on the battery side? Anker offers a tiny 30W charger that will do just as well for a MacBook Air as for an iPhone. Convenient for on the go! For MacBook Pros, there's a reasonably sized 60W version with two USB-C outputs. An external battery could also save the day for frequent travelers, although the battery of the new MacBooks is already impressive.

Accessories

And even if it means changing machines, why not change your habits and equip yourself with ergonomic equipment? Logitech offers a keyboard + mouse combo that we recommend especially for people who work all day behind a computer. In the long run, these accessories will save you a lot of joint pain and are worth the initial investment. For trackpad lovers, we were able to find satisfaction in the Ergo M575 and MX Ergo models.

Preview of the Logitech Ergo K860 ergonomic keyboard on sale in France at 119 €

Logitech MX Vertical Ergonomic Mouse Review

A stand for MacBook can be useful to save space on your desk while improving the comfort of use. The Twelve South brand offers a model adapted to the sympathetic design. For storage (in the closed position), there are even double models to hold laptop and tablet.

If you need a screen, that's bad luck: Apple hasn't made anything for the general public for years, and recently removed the LG UltraFine from the Apple Store. It is still possible to find the 4K version at certain retailers by looking a little (like Boulanger).

Mac mini owners feeling limited in storage will be happy to learn that there is a support integrating a slot for an NVMe SSD. If the connection is limited to USB 3 Gen 2, that should do the trick for storage. Add to that a small speaker like the Sonos Roam and (yet) some extra storage with an external SSD (our full guide is here), and you should be ready for anything!

Happy Holidays from the entire MacGeneration team 🎄