Do you often find yourself stopping in the middle of a task to go Google a specific keyboard shortcut? Kind of defeats the purpose of using a shortcut in the first place, doesn’t it?
Well, you may find this vinyl sticker a handy reference guide, since it’s always a mere glance away once applied to your MacBook’s palm rest. Never again will you have to look up the difference between taking a screenshot and starting a screen capture recording, or between quitting an app and force-quitting one.
The sticker is just $6 on Amazon and comes in your choice of…
]]>Crafted from premium matte-finished aluminum with a weighted base, a nonslip silicone grip, and sturdy hinges, Native Union’s new Desk Laptop Stand is designed to be a more robust at-home solution than their more lightweight, travel-ready laptop stands like the Rise and Fold.
Whether you prefer standing or sitting, this sleek and modern stand adapts to your needs, allowing you to find the perfect height and angle for your laptop or tablet. It can elevate your device up to 60cm (~24″) high for optimal viewing and to relieve neck/shoulder strain while working.
It’s compatible with all laptops and tablets up to 5kg (11 lbs), including MacBook, Microsoft Surface, Lenovo ThinkPad, and more.
Moreover, the stand is crafted with thoughtful details that combine functionality with style. That weighted base I mentioned earlier doubles as a storage tray with a convenient pen/stylus holder, helping to keep your workspace neat and organized.
And, the top surface itself is covered with 100% recycled fabric that adds a warm touch to the stand, not to mention adding anti-scratch protection for the sake of your laptop/tablet.
The Native Union Desk Laptop Stand is your ticket to a more comfortable, stylish, and ergonomic workspace. Get it for $80 on Amazon in your choice of Black or Slate Green.
]]>Twelve South’s lineup of “BookArc” stands have long been a stylish way to dock your various devices while helping keep your desk space neat and organized. Today they’re introducing the new BookArc Flex, a beautiful and sturdy metal laptop stand that gives your MacBook or other laptop a vertical resting place.
What sets the Flex apart from previous versions of BookArc is that, rather than having a holding slot of one specific size, this model has flexible inserts that you set your laptop on, gently drawing the supporting arcs together to cradle just about any laptop up to 1″ thick (and with a screen up to 16″).
This vertical placement allows you to store your laptop behind your monitor or iMac, freeing up a lot of desk space:
It’s an especially ideal setup for anyone who connects their laptop to an external display at home rather than having a dedicated desktop machine 
Get the BookArc Flex on Amazon in your choice of chrome, matte black, or matte white.
Designed to boost the productivity of business and creative professionals everywhere, the Dual Dock Stand by Satechi is a powerful and versatile docking station that expands what your MacBook or Windows laptop is capable of.
The wedge-shaped hub fits nicely underneath your laptop, tilting the display toward you and elevating the device to help with heat dissipation (further helped by built-in vents). It features nine ports for a variety of connectivity purposes:
- 1 wired ethernet port with 1 Gigabit speed
- 2 HDMI ports for connecting up to two external monitors (see note further below)
- 1 DisplayPort for connecting an external monitor (again, see note below)
- 2 USB-C data ports (10Gpbs and 5Gpbs transfer speeds, respectively)
- 2 USB-A ports (10Gpbs and 5Gpbs, respectively)
- 1 USB-C power port with 75W power delivery to keep your device charged while you work
In addition to those ports, you also have access to an SSD enclosure underneath for adding extra storage to your laptop, which is compatible with either an NVMe SSD at 10Gbps or a SATA SSD at 6Gbps.
Note: While the Dual Dock Stand does allow for connecting multiple external monitors, there are some limitations on how many you can connect, especially if you have an M1 or M2 MacBook model:
The dock will support up to two displays max: – HDMI #1 + HDMI #2 – HDMI #1 + DisplayPort
Please note: Dual display is only supported on Apple M1/M2 Pro and Max, Intel-based MacBooks, and compatible Windows devices (like the Surface Studio Laptop).
It will only support one external display when using an M1 or M2 MacBook Pro/Air. This is not a limitation of the Dock, but a limitation of the Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 ports on the new M1/M2-based Macs
Lastly, the stand is constructed from high quality aluminum in a Space Gray color scheme that seamlessly complements your MacBook’s look. With this thing you’ll always have a powerful and stylish mobile workstation at the ready.
Get this highly capable laptop stand + hub for $150 on Amazon.
]]>One of the great things about carrying an iPad is that it allows you to be productive wherever you go, without taking up much room in your bag or requiring much table space in a coffee shop. However, there are still times when you may need to expand on the device’s capabilities, and that’s what Twelve South’s ultra-slim StayGo mini USB-C hub is designed to do.
This smaller, four-port variant of the original eight-port StayGo gives you an HDMI port for connecting an external display, a USB-A port for plugging in an external or thumb drive, a headphone jack, and a USB-C passthrough power jack.
Here’s a handy graphic they put together to show the differences between the two models:
And in this short video, they demonstrate how useful the included desk cable is, especially if you have a case on your iPad that would otherwise make the connection difficult:
Of course, the hub also works with Type-C MacBooks that can occasionally use a few extra ports.
Get the StayGo mini for $60 on Amazon.
]]>Maybe you’ve got a nice laptop stand to help out your neck and spine when working from home or at the office…but what about when you’re traveling? I mean, ergonomics is still a thing no matter where you go, right?
Don’t worry though, because the folks at Homelux Theory have a solution for that. Their aluminum alloy Multi-Angle Portable Laptop Stand is foldable and travel-friendly, packing down to a size that can easily fit into a backpack or briefcase.
Each leg of the stand has a dual-series of holes to let you adjust the height and angle of your laptop however you like, while a variety of silicone pads all over and underneath keep the stand from slipping around or scratching either your device or any surface you set it on.
It supports laptops up to 15.6 in size, and up to 100 lbs of weight. You can use it for other stuff too, like tablets, phones, cookbooks, etc.
You can get this nifty travel laptop stand for $36 on Amazon, and it comes in your choice of silver, black, or space gray.
]]>Earlier this year, Native Union joined the ranks of companies getting into the GaN charger game with their dual-port Fast GaN Charger PD 35W, along with its larger cousin, the Fast GaN Charger PD 67W.
Like other GaN (gallium nitride) chargers, these two compact wall adapters are each capable of charging your devices at speeds that rival or exceed what you’d get from much larger and heavier “old school” ones. Even the smaller 35W one is capable of charging a MacBook in a pinch, although it truly excels with USB-C enabled iPhones, which it can charge from 0% to 50% in less than 30 minutes.
The 35W charger is $35 on Amazon — easy enough to remember! — while the 67W one is $60.
]]>While it shares a name with the company’s iMac/external display stand from half a decade ago, and it does a similar job of raising your work device to a more ergonomic viewing level, Twelve South’s newer HiRise Pro for MacBook is a different product in a couple of key ways.
For one thing, there’s no “gear garage” to store stuff in. But, you get two positive tradeoffs in exchange:
- The stand’s height is adjustable this time around — between 2.5″ to 6″ off your desk — so you can bring your MacBook’s webcam to eye level for video calls, or simply to better align with your iMac or display.
- The base of the stand hides a chamber for a MagSafe charging puck (which you must provide), turning it into a covert wireless charger pad for your iPhone or AirPods.
As with all things Twelve South, this sturdy aluminum stand is crafted with the highest level of quality, and every little detail has been considered, like the patterned silicone covering the arms to protect your MacBook from scratches, the supports at the ends of those arms to securely hold the device in place, and the vegan leather lining of the base/charging pad to add a bit of extra refinement.
Get the HiRise Pro Stand for MacBook for $82 on Amazon.
]]>A MacBook has never exactly been a cheap purchase to make, and you want to make sure yours is protected as well as it can be, even from the other stuff in your daily carry bag. Bellroy’s Lite Laptop Sleeve is everything you could want in this department.
With an exterior made from a sleek matte diamond-patterned ripstop material, this sleeve manages to be both featherlight and protective against water splashes and scratches, while its two different types of lightweight foam padding keep the laptop safe from bumps and bangs.
This is one of those laptop cases that just feels great in the hand, in a squishably soft way. It gives off the luxury vibes of a high-end leather case, with the “feels good” that comes from knowing it’s actually made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles.
The Lite Laptop Sleeve comes in two sizes, each with three color options:
]]>Released about two weeks ago, WaterField Designs’ new Tech Folio Brief is a handsome briefcase for carrying around that shiny new M1 Pro or M1 Max MacBook Pro you’ve treated yourself to.
Available in Compact size ($359) for 14″ MacBooks and Full size ($379) for 16″ ones, the Tech Folio Brief comes in your choice of black ballistic nylon or brown waxed canvas, with a full-grain leather front panel for that extra bit of luxury. That panel doubles as a quick-access pocket — for things like your phone, passport, etc — and has a satisfying magnetic enclosure, as demoed by Gary Waterfield himself 56 seconds into this video:
By now you know the drill — these guys have considered every single detail of this briefcase. There’s a suitcase handle passthrough on the back for easy transport at the airport, they use waterproof YKK zippers (of course), there are storage compartments, organizational pockets, and padded device sleeves out the wazoo, and the materials are top-notch, all the way down to the water-resistant inner gold lining.
This is one of those bags that feels excellent to carry and touch, and creatives and tech professionals of all stripes will get a ton of utility out of it in the field.
As of November 5th, 2021, orders made right now will ship on December 10th, and that’s after the first batch sold out just about immediately, so I’d get yours in ASAP.
]]>Released a couple weeks ago, Satechi’s new USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter is sort of a combination between a USB-C hub and an external storage drive. Built into the adapter are…
- One 4K HDMI display output (up to 60Hz refresh rates)
- One USB-C PD charging port (up to 100W output) to keep your stuff powered all day long
- Two USB-A 3.0 data ports for hooking up other peripherals (up to 5 Gbps data transfer speed)
All of those run off a single USB-C port — from, say, your 2021 MacBook Pro M1 — which is neat enough alone. However, on the bottom of the adapter you’ll also find an enclosure that fits a SATA M.2 solid-state drive (sold separately), turning the adapter into a handy file storage solution on top of everything else.
Pretty sweet!
The USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter is $90 on Amazon and comes in your choice of space gray or black.
]]>In the wake of Apple’s recent event, WaterField Designs introduced their elegant new “Double-Take” sleeve for iPad and MacBook, designed to carry and protect both devices at once without adding much bulk to any bag you slip it into.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05G2W3zlzeI
This is a sleeve created specifically for professionals who often travel with a MacBook Pro for work and an iPad Pro (or other device) for personal use.
As such, it features two accordion-style compartments, the front of which has a dedicated Apple Pencil slot. Both compartments are lined with a wool blend fabric that looks and feels great, and they’re surrounded on various sides by impact-resistanct compression foam to protect against dings and bumps.
All of this is enveloped by 1050 denier ballistic nylon with reinforced side seams and corners, with a full-grain leather base to create a solid grip and add further protection.
While the Double-Take can be slipped into a larger bag, WaterField offers optional shoulder straps at the time of purchase, which attach to D-rings on the bag so you can carry it as a minimal travel bag of its own.
The Double-Take costs $129 for the 13-inch version and $139 for the 16-inch. It starts shipping on April 29th, 2021.
]]>If you’ve ever felt constrained by the number of devices you can connect at once to your iPad Pro, MacBook Air, or M1 Mac mini, then you’ll appreciate the upcoming Thunderbolt Hub by OWC, which will let you turn a single USB-C or Thunderbolt port into three Thunderbolt 4 outputs, plus a standard USB-A (10Gb/s) port.
Each of those Thunderbolt 4 ports offers transfer speeds of up to 40Gb/s, and the device as a whole can support two 4K displays at once, or a single 5K/6K/8K display. Or, you can daisy-chain a few bus-powered Thunderbolt drives together:
…or, you can create three separate daisy chain “branches”, allowing you to remove devices from one chain without affecting or disconnecting the others:
Needless to say, it’s pretty sweet.
John Voorhees of MacStories has had some time with the Thunderbolt Hub and seems to be loving it so far, so give that a read if you’re unsure if this hub is for you.
Despite not even being out in the world yet, the demand for this device has been high. As of March 3rd, 2021, pre-orders aren’t expected to ship until sometime in May, so if you’re aiming to get one ASAP, put your $149 order in now.
]]>Let’s be honest, not everyone is #blessed with a sweet desk at home to sit at all day, much less a dedicated office workspace. I daresay most of us are doing our work or schoolwork on beds and couches right now.
If that sounds like you, these lap desks by LapGear are a way better alternative to staring downward at your laptop or iPad for hours, or even sitting a pillow on your lap for a better angle. In fact, you get the same sort of comfiness of a pillow underneath, with the added benefit of a flat surface on top to rest your device on.
What’s more, that solid desk area has a slot for your phone to rest in (horizontally or vertically, depending on size), an elastic band at the upper left to hold a notepad or other object in place, and the front ledge is slightly raised to keep things from sliding off into your lap while you work/study.
The “Designer” bit in the name comes from the fact that they offer a number of colorways to match your home decor, if that’s important to you.
The medium size is $30 on Amazon and fits laptops up to 15.6″, while the large size is $50 and accommodates devices up to 17.3″.
]]>Have you ever been hit with the sudden realization that some small routine you’ve been doing every day has actually been really irritating this whole time? Like, say, taking out your laptop and fussing around with the same external drive you’ve been connecting day after day after day?
It always seems like such a minor thing at first, but then you notice all the added-up time you’ve been wasting going through the same rigamarole every single time you sit down to work…ugh.
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re gonna love the “DriveSlide” Kickstarter project. Created by siblings Anna and Eli Jay — who happen to be members of the Studio Neat Mentorship Program, which is as good an endorsement as it gets, IMO — the DriveSlide is a clever two-piece accessory that lets you affix a hard drive, small hub, etc. to your laptop lid.
DriveSlide consists of two parts:
- The Lock: This piece is what adheres to the laptop itself. Thin enough to fit into a laptop case, yet capable of supporting even a hefty external drive.
- The Key: This one goes onto the hard drive (or whatever you’re using it with), allowing it to slide and lock into place on the laptop lid, where it can live as long as you like.
Not only does this eliminate a little pain point you didn’t even realize you had, it also helps declutter your workspace. If you’ve ever had to get work done from one of those tiny coffee shop tables that almost nothing can fit on, DriveSlide will be a lifesaver.
As of August 7th, 2020 — just a few days after launch — the Kickstarter project is already 20% of the way there and has 28 days to get funded. Let’s help them out by backing the project at the $20 level or higher. If it succeeds, and I hope it does, backers should hopefully start getting their DriveSlides in February 2021.
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