AppAdvice’s ultimate accessory gift guide for Mac owners
The holiday season is almost in full swing, so that means we’re back once again with another edition in our ultimate accessory gift guide series. We’ve previously explored ideas for iPhone and iPad users. But today, we’re highlighting 10 ideas for any Mac owner.
Bringing a Mac and iPad together
Twelve South HoverBar 3, $99.99
One of my favorite Mac accessories, Twelve South’s HoverBar 3 is designed for any iMac or Apple Cinema Display. It can help take away the clutter on your desk by “floating” an iPad or iPad mini next to the display. When you’re away from the computer, the included display stand allows you to use the system pretty much anywhere. When not connected to the stand, a kickstand can snap onto the tablet and provide a tabletop display. My colleague Bryan M. Wolfe reviewed the HoverBar 3 earlier this year.
Compatible with any iPad or iPad mini, except the original iPad, the HoverBar 3 is $99.99 and can be purchased from Twelve South now.
Stand and deliver
F3 Smart Monitor Stand from Satechi, $44.99
Another product to help clean up your desk, the F3 Smart Monitor Stand from Satechi can support a number of devices, including an iMac or other display. Featuring four USB 3.0 ports, users can connect devices and place them under the stand. It also offers a headphone and microphone port. Users can select from two preset stand heights.
It can be purchased from Amazon.com for $44.99. The stand is only recommended for 21-inch iMacs.
Finally use that Thunderbolt port for something
Western Digital 2TB My Passport Pro Thunderbolt Dual-Drive, $299.95
If you’re looking for some extra-fast external storage for a Mac, Western Digital is offering a 2TB My Passport Pro hard drive with Thunderbolt technology, which can transfer information as fast as 233MB per second. The hard drive is protected with a durable aluminum enclosure, and the cable is built into the hard drive itself. Users can also take advantage of RAID capability.
The 2TB version is $299.95, and it can be ordered from Apple now. A 4TB model is $100 more.
Hard-nosed protection
Viper Case 13 from Booq, $45
A sleeve designed to fit any 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, the Viper Case offers a semi-rigid and molded body made with a water-repellant coating. The interior of the case provides extra protection against scratches. You can even use your MacBook while still inside the case.
The case retails for $45 and can be purchased from Booq’s site now.
Keep track of those pesky cables
Magnetic Organization System from Bite My Apple, $23.99
Another handy organization tool, the MOS is perfect for finally taming that mess of cables on your desk. The built-in magnets can securely hold the cable ends in place. It can be placed on a desk with microsuction technology or even attached to a wall.
A black or white plastic version is $23.99. The pictured MOS made with anodized aluminum is $39.99. All three versions are available now through Bite My Apple.
One keyboard to rule them all
Logitech K480 Multi-Device Keyboard, $49.99
A truly multi-purpose keyboard, Logitech’s K480 can connect to up to three different devices via Bluetooth, including a Mac, iPad, or iPhone. The standout feature is easily the integrated cradle that can hold your iOS device in a perfect typing position.
Buyers can select from two different colors of the keyboard. It can be purchased now for $49.99 from Logitech.
A jimi thing
Jimi from Bluelounge, $14.95
As any iMac users can attest, plugging a USB cable into the sleek desktop can be a pain with the ports located on the back of the machine. But Bluelounge’s Jimi wants to provide a helping hand. Designed for the 21.5-inch and 27-inch slim unibody iMacs, simply plug the device into a free USB port and then snap it into the air vent at the bottom of the machine so it will be ready to use.
The Jimi retails for $14.95 and can be ordered now.
Let it rain
Rain Design iLevel2, $55.92
Compatible with all MacBook models, Rain Design’s iLevel2 is made with anodized aluminum to match your Apple device. The adjustable slider can place your laptop into a perfect position.
The stand can be purchased now from Rain Design’s site for $55.92.
Packing it in
Venturo Backpack from Moshi, $119.95
A unique and well-designed way to carry a MacBook and iPad, the Venturo Backpack features padded compartments for both items. The exterior materials are designed to resist both weather and wear. The crossbody design even brings a quick-release strap that allows the bag to quickly swing from back to front, allowing easy access to its contents.
Buyers can select from one of four different color combinations of the backpack. It’s $119.95 on Moshi’s site now.
With Christmas almost here, we’ve only got one more edition of our holiday guide remaining join us next Friday for a plethora of stocking stuffers for Apple fans – all $25 or less.
