Best accessories for new Mac owners 2023
These are the must-have accessories for your new MacBook or Mac
You've made the plunge. You're getting a new iMac, Mac mini, MacBook, or all-new Mac Studio. Though most PC accessories will work just fine with Apple's computer, there are a couple of things you'll want to get to tie the room together with your beautiful new Mac aesthetic. Here are some of the best accessories for new Mac owners.
Back it up
One of the most important things you should do is keep copies of your data via a backup drive. The One Touch from Seagate can provide you with up to 5TB of space to save all your important files or backup your entire drive if something happens. This drive also comes in several color options.
The best Mac-centric mechanical keyboard
The Logitech K380 is a super affordable wireless keyboard that's also slim and lightweight. It can pair with up to three devices through Bluetooth and the keys are circular with a slight curvature for ergonomic comfort. It's one of the best keyboards for Mac.
New entry
Protect your excellent new Mac Studio with this portable and sturdy case from San Francisco's Waterfield. Choose from various styles and choose a matching suspension strap. Each option is lined in ultra-soft material that's surrounded by foam padding.
If you need an optical drive
The USB SuperDrive gives you an optical drive for your Mac if you really need it. Connect it via USB-A (a USB-C hub is required for USB-C Macs). It's also one of the best CD/CVD drives overall.
Gorgeous display
Ideally suited for the Mac Studio, the well-received Apple Studio Display nonetheless works with other computers. It features three USB-C that lets you connect, power, and charge devices. The Thunderbolt port connects to your Mac with a single cable. The same port is also available to charge compatible Mac notebooks. The 27-inch display offers a 5120x2880 resolution at 218 PPI
Will the real Mac please stand up?
As new as your MacBook is, you probably won't be on it all day, and maybe you want to save some desktop space. Or, if you prefer to work in clamshell mode, you'll want the MacBook tucked away somewhere. Twelve South's BookArc is a sleek and beautiful stand that cradles your MacBook upright, giving you back a lot of space. Cables are neatly tucked away but accessible, and your MacBook is elevated. In addition, it comes in colors to match your MacBook.
Gain those ports back
When Apple decided to switch over to USB-C, they went all out, as that's all the ports you'll get with a new Mac now. Fortunately, the Satechi Multi-Port adapter brings back the old ports for your existing accessories. The hub has a 4K HDMI, Ethernet, USB-C pass-through charging, SD card reader, and three USB-A ports. All while retaining and slim and sleek profile.
Simple but protective
This affordable and straightforward sleeve will keep up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro safe and sound. The exterior is constructed from a nylon material that is durable and easy to clean. The interior has a plush microfiber lining to keep your MacBook Pro scratch-free and smudge-free. An exterior pocket means you can take some cables and smaller accessories with you, like hubs. It comes in a few different colors, and there are versions for different MacBook models as well.
Private audio
If you prefer to listen to your audio through headphones instead of speakers, pick up the 4.5-star reviewed AirPods Pro by Apple. Not only is the audio great, but it can switch seamlessly between your Mac and your iPhone when you do. In addition, active noise canceling means you won't be disturbed by distracting outside noises.
The best accessories new Mac owners need
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All of these are optional, but they definitely help improve the overall experience with your new Mac, perhaps the MacBook Air (2022). So here are a few items we can't do without in our setups.
First, we highly recommend grabbing a Seagate One Touch External Hard Drive HDD or the backup drive of your choice because backing up your data is super essential! We spend hundreds of hours on our computers for school, work, personal projects, memories, and many other important stuff. It's easy to prevent losing this crucial data by backing up your computer.
We also highly recommend the Satechi Multi-Port Adapter because it's affordable and offers all the necessary ports you may need when transitioning to a USB-C-only Mac.
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Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed.
When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.
- Karen S FreemanContributor
- Bryan M WolfeStaff Writer