This Week In Accessories: 8 Perfect Holiday Gift Ideas For Mac Owners
by Brent Dirks
December 6, 2013
While we’re all about our iOS devices here at AppAdvice, we love our Macs as well. In that spirit, we’re highlighting eight perfect accessory gifts for Mac owners this holiday season. If you’ve missed our previous Gift Guides, take a look here.
One of my favorite bag makers, Booq, has recently introduced a unique protection option for a Mac laptop. The Viper Courier was designed with a minimalist sleeve style, but it can easily hold a laptop, iOS devices, and other important items. Along with its tuck-away carrying handles and removable shoulder strap, the exterior is made with a waterproof and organically dyed natural fiber. While a laptop is protected in the main, zippered enclosure, the large back pocket can hold flat items and even an iPhone in the quick-access pocket.
The version of the Viper Courier designed to protect a 15-inch MacBook Pro can be purchased now from Booq for $109.95. A smaller edition, made for a 13-inch laptop, is $10 less.
While there are a number of hardshell case options to protect a MacBook, you usually get what you paid for. The very inexpensive options I've tried usually fall apart and crack months, or even weeks, after starting to use them. But high quality accessory manufacturer Moshi has a very sturdy and well-made option with its iGlaze Series for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro with Retina display, and MacBook Air. All of the case options are lightweight and feel great to the touch. The translucent coating, which is scratch resistant, allows the Apple logo to shine through. Raised rubber feet help produce an unobstructed vent for better heat dissipation.
The case costs $60 for each version, and can be purchased now on Moshi’s site. While MacBook Pro with Retina display and MacBook Air users can select from black or clear, there are a number of new color choices for the MacBook Pro – black, clear, green, orange, blue, and pink.
If you need a keyboard for any, or all, of you Apple devices, look no further than the K811 from Logitech. The main advantage of the K811 is its ability to pair with up to three different Apple devices, including an iMac, iPad, iPhone, or even Apple TV. With a simple button press, users can quickly switch between devices. The auto-adjusting backlights on the keys dim and brighten depending on the amount of light in the room. And a motion sensor detects when your hands are near, turning the backlight on only when you need it.
I’ve been using the keyboard for a few weeks with my Mac mini, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the Mac-specific keys.
Even though the K811 retails for $99.99, you can snag it for as low as $77.14 through Amazon.com. And while that's somewhere around $10 more than Apple’s own wireless keyboard, the extra features definitely make Logitech’s solution a great choice.
Full of style, Twelve South’s beautiful GhostStand is designed to elevate any Mac laptop more than 6 inches off your desk for a more comfortable viewing height. Inspired by the iconic Ghost Chair designed by Philippe Starck, the stand is made with transparent plastic and also allows for elevated airflow around a MacBook for cooler and quieter performance. Our own Bryan M. Wolfe reviewed the GhostStand back in September, and really liked the minimalist design and reasonable price point.
You can purchase the GhostStand from Twelve South for $34.99.
Simple, yet extremely useful, the Quirky Cordies is designed to tame the mess of cords on your desk. Five rubber grips with four slots can hold a number of cords. Along with the weighted base for stability, the Cordies will look good next to any Mac laptop or desktop. I use one on my main work desk, and it really is a fun and useful gadget. It even keeps a tight grip on smaller cables and headphones.
The Quirky Cordies can be purchased for $14.95 at Apple’s online store or at your local Apple Store.
Rain Design’s beautiful iLap Stand is nice way to use a MacBook both on your lap and at a desk. Made with anodized aluminum, the iLap raises the notebook to help keep your lap cool. A swivel base also adjusts to a lap or desk. The velvet cushion helps to take pressure away from your wrist and arms.
Available in both a 13-inch and 15-inch version, you can snag the iLap for $49.95 from Apple’s site or an Apple Store.
With USB 3.0 support, the LaCie P’9233 can move a 700GB file in under seven seconds. Created especially for Macs, LaCie teamed up with Porsche to create a stunningly designed way to back up with Time Machine and keep other important files safe and secure. A 5mm solid aluminum case surrounds the hard drive to protect the content.
The 2TB version is available for $129.95 at Apple’s site or at an Apple store. If you need more storage, the 3TB edition is $30 more. A 4TB version of the hard drive is $229.95.
Delivering twice the output power of similar USB models, the Xtrememac Tango Bar offers a six-speaker configuration with dual dome tweeters, midrange drivers, and passive radiators. Designed to compliment an iMac or Thunderbolt Display, simply plug in the USB connection to start rocking out as there is no need for a power cord. Along with both a headphone output and line-in jack, the speaker also offers a sub-out port.
The Tango Bar is $85.98 and can be purchased on Amazon.com now.
A Minimalist Case
Viper Courier from Booq, $109.95
One of my favorite bag makers, Booq, has recently introduced a unique protection option for a Mac laptop. The Viper Courier was designed with a minimalist sleeve style, but it can easily hold a laptop, iOS devices, and other important items. Along with its tuck-away carrying handles and removable shoulder strap, the exterior is made with a waterproof and organically dyed natural fiber. While a laptop is protected in the main, zippered enclosure, the large back pocket can hold flat items and even an iPhone in the quick-access pocket.
The version of the Viper Courier designed to protect a 15-inch MacBook Pro can be purchased now from Booq for $109.95. A smaller edition, made for a 13-inch laptop, is $10 less.
Glazed and Protected
iGlaze for the MacBook from Moshi, $60
While there are a number of hardshell case options to protect a MacBook, you usually get what you paid for. The very inexpensive options I've tried usually fall apart and crack months, or even weeks, after starting to use them. But high quality accessory manufacturer Moshi has a very sturdy and well-made option with its iGlaze Series for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro with Retina display, and MacBook Air. All of the case options are lightweight and feel great to the touch. The translucent coating, which is scratch resistant, allows the Apple logo to shine through. Raised rubber feet help produce an unobstructed vent for better heat dissipation.
The case costs $60 for each version, and can be purchased now on Moshi’s site. While MacBook Pro with Retina display and MacBook Air users can select from black or clear, there are a number of new color choices for the MacBook Pro – black, clear, green, orange, blue, and pink.
Switch Blade
Logitech K811 Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard, $77.14
If you need a keyboard for any, or all, of you Apple devices, look no further than the K811 from Logitech. The main advantage of the K811 is its ability to pair with up to three different Apple devices, including an iMac, iPad, iPhone, or even Apple TV. With a simple button press, users can quickly switch between devices. The auto-adjusting backlights on the keys dim and brighten depending on the amount of light in the room. And a motion sensor detects when your hands are near, turning the backlight on only when you need it.
I’ve been using the keyboard for a few weeks with my Mac mini, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the Mac-specific keys.
Even though the K811 retails for $99.99, you can snag it for as low as $77.14 through Amazon.com. And while that's somewhere around $10 more than Apple’s own wireless keyboard, the extra features definitely make Logitech’s solution a great choice.
The Ghost in the Machine
GhostStand for Macbook from Twelve South, $34.99
Full of style, Twelve South’s beautiful GhostStand is designed to elevate any Mac laptop more than 6 inches off your desk for a more comfortable viewing height. Inspired by the iconic Ghost Chair designed by Philippe Starck, the stand is made with transparent plastic and also allows for elevated airflow around a MacBook for cooler and quieter performance. Our own Bryan M. Wolfe reviewed the GhostStand back in September, and really liked the minimalist design and reasonable price point.
You can purchase the GhostStand from Twelve South for $34.99.
Confine your Cords
Quirky Cordies Desktop Table Management, $14.95
Simple, yet extremely useful, the Quirky Cordies is designed to tame the mess of cords on your desk. Five rubber grips with four slots can hold a number of cords. Along with the weighted base for stability, the Cordies will look good next to any Mac laptop or desktop. I use one on my main work desk, and it really is a fun and useful gadget. It even keeps a tight grip on smaller cables and headphones.
The Quirky Cordies can be purchased for $14.95 at Apple’s online store or at your local Apple Store.
The Lap of Luxury
Rain Design iLap Stand for the MacBook, $49.95
Rain Design’s beautiful iLap Stand is nice way to use a MacBook both on your lap and at a desk. Made with anodized aluminum, the iLap raises the notebook to help keep your lap cool. A swivel base also adjusts to a lap or desk. The velvet cushion helps to take pressure away from your wrist and arms.
Available in both a 13-inch and 15-inch version, you can snag the iLap for $49.95 from Apple’s site or an Apple Store.
Finally Say You Own a Porsche
LaCie 2TB USB 3.0 Porsche Design Desktop Hard Drive, $129.95
With USB 3.0 support, the LaCie P’9233 can move a 700GB file in under seven seconds. Created especially for Macs, LaCie teamed up with Porsche to create a stunningly designed way to back up with Time Machine and keep other important files safe and secure. A 5mm solid aluminum case surrounds the hard drive to protect the content.
The 2TB version is available for $129.95 at Apple’s site or at an Apple store. If you need more storage, the 3TB edition is $30 more. A 4TB version of the hard drive is $229.95.
Turn any iMac Into A Music Powerhouse
Xtrememac Tango Bar, $85.98
Delivering twice the output power of similar USB models, the Xtrememac Tango Bar offers a six-speaker configuration with dual dome tweeters, midrange drivers, and passive radiators. Designed to compliment an iMac or Thunderbolt Display, simply plug in the USB connection to start rocking out as there is no need for a power cord. Along with both a headphone output and line-in jack, the speaker also offers a sub-out port.
The Tango Bar is $85.98 and can be purchased on Amazon.com now.
