Improve your Mac setup with these equipment

If you happen to’re trying to take your desk setup to the subsequent degree, that is the information for you. Head beneath for a few of my favourite merchandise that may enhance your working setup, starting from equipment to decorations and extra. All of the issues on this checklist are issues I’ve personally used and might vouch for.

Wi-Fi 6E routers

Wi-Fi is right here, and it affords some substantial efficiency and reliability enhancements. If you happen to’re trying to make an improve to your property setup, now’s a good time to do it. Right here’s a rundown of Apple’s units that assist Wi-Fi 6E:

• iMac (24-inch, 2023)
• MacBook Professional (14-inch, Nov 2023)
• MacBook Professional (16-inch, Nov 2023)
• MacBook Professional (14-inch, 2023) or MacBook Professional (16-inch, 2023) 
• Mac mini (2023)
• Mac Studio (2023)
• Mac Professional (2023)
• iPhone 15 Professional or iPhone 15 Professional Max
• iPad Professional 11-inch (4th technology) or iPad Professional 12.9-inch (sixth technology)

Our favourite Wi-Fi 6E {hardware} comes from Eero, which affords whole-home mesh programs at compelling costs.

Satechi desk mat

Visually, one in all my favourite upgrades to a work-from-home desk setup is the addition of a pleasant desk mat. My advice on this class comes from Satechi, which affords an eco-leather desk mat in a trio of various colours at a compelling $39.99 value level.

I’ve been utilizing these for some time and discover them to be very sturdy and versatile, due to the dual-sided design. Notably, one of many sides doesn’t function a Satechi brand, which makes it one of the best facet.

200W USB-C 6-port GaN charger

You may by no means have too many USB-C ports for charging your varied equipment and units. Satechi’s USB-C 200W GaN Charger packs six USB-C ports that may cost any of your equipment or units at full velocity.

I’ve grown to love having this factor on my desk, so I all the time have a spot to cost no matter system wants some juice at any given time. It’s dear, however it’s definitely worth the funding.

OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock

One of many extra integral additions to my setup this yr was the OWC Thunderbolt Dock, a model we additionally went hands-on with earlier this yr. 

The OWC Thunderbolt Dock I’m utilizing in my setup affords 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports with assist for as much as 40Gb/s switch speeds, 4 USB-A ports, an SD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack, and gigabit Ethernet. I’ve the dock mounted on the underside of my desk, so it’s hidden and out of the best way, however its ports are nonetheless accessible.

Laptop computer stands from Twelve South

If you happen to or the particular person you’re shopping for for makes use of a MacBook at their desk, the addition of a devoted laptop computer stand is usually a appreciable ergonomics enchancment. I’ve been a fan of the Twelve South Curve for over 4 years and might extremely advocate it to MacBook customers.

Twelve South additionally affords the ParcSlope as another choice for MacBook customers, and it even is available in an up to date matte black end that appears glossy on any desk.

An alternative choice from – you guessed it – Twelve South is the Curve Flex, which you’ll see above. This one incorporates a premium aluminum construct that’s adjustable. It may be raised or lowered proper to your liking.

Nomad Stand One

Nomad makes a few of my favourite equipment for iPhone, and the corporate’s newest Stand One isn’t any exception. The Stand One is a premium vertical charger with built-in MagSafe assist. It’s comprised of aluminum and options an built-in 2-meter braided USB-C cable. It might cost your iPhone at as much as 15W speeds.

The Nomad Stand One is obtainable in two colours: silver/white or carbide.

Whereas the Nomad Stand One is a beautiful iPhone charger, you may want one thing with a 2-in-1 design. My favourite choice right here is the Belkin 2-in-1 Wi-fi Charging Stand with MagSafe, whereas one other extra inexpensive choice is obtainable from Satechi.

This stand from Belkin is costly, however it incorporates a sturdy design with an upright MagSafe stand in your iPhone and an built-in spot in your AirPods within the base. It might cost your iPhone on the quickest doable MagSafe speeds, as much as 15 watts. It makes use of a single-cable design for powering the MagSafe charger and AirPods charger.

Keychron Q5 mechanical keyboard

I made the bounce to a mechanical keyboard this yr, and I haven’t regarded again since. I’m personally utilizing the Keychron Q5, which incorporates a backlit design, a built-in quantity knob, USB-C connectivity, and a customizable design.

Along with these advantages, I’ve discovered my change to the Keychron Q5 to be a major ergonomics enchancment. The elevated design has considerably decreased wrist ache throughout lengthy writing periods compared to one thing like Apple’s Magic Keyboard.

The Keychron Q5 is considerably dear at slightly below $230, however there are additionally extra inexpensive mechanical keyboard choices on the market. One among our favorites is the Logitech MX Mechanical wi-fi keyboard, which can be extra compact than the Keychron choice in addition to wi-fi.

Satechi headphone stand

Satechi’s 2-in-1 Headphone Stand is without doubt one of the issues on my desk that I get requested about most frequently. It incorporates a hook design to carry your headphones, with a base that doubles as a Qi charger in your iPhone or AirPods.

On the again of the 2-in-1 Headphone Stand are two separate USB-C ports. One among these is a UBS-C enter port that may be linked to energy, whereas the opposite is a USB-C output port. 

The only USB-C enter offers sufficient energy for the Qi charger within the base, in addition to to energy the second USB-C output. The Qi charging pad offers as much as 7.5W of energy and works with any Qi-supported system, together with iPhones, AirPods, and extra. 

Below-desk headphone mount

An alternative choice for headphone storage comes from Elevation Lab. The Anchor Below-Desk Headphone Stand mounts to the underside of your desk utilizing adhesive and might maintain as much as two pairs of headphones on the identical time.

HomeKit mild strips

For accent lighting, you may by no means go flawed with some HomeKit mild strips in your desk. Whether or not you place them behind your desk or beneath, they’ll present atmosphere and personalization in your desk setup. HomeKit compatibility permits you to management the brightness and shade out of your iPhone or utilizing Siri.

HomeKit mild strips have gotten considerably cheaper over time, with choices now coming in at below $50 from dependable producers on Amazon.

Philips Hue Play Gentle Bar

A better-end choice for desktop accent lighting comes from Philips Hue and the firm’s Play Gentle Bar. These can present some lovely accent lighting in your workplace and desk, both with a stand or by being mounted to the again of your show.

These, nonetheless, are pricier than a fundamental mild strip, and also you’ll additionally want a Philips Hue Bridge for full performance.

HomeKit desk lamp

Rounding out our concentrate on lighting is a fundamental HomeKit-capable desk lamp. You may choose up a glossy HomeKit desk lamp from an organization like Meross on Amazon for below $50. I’ve personally been utilizing this Meross desk lamp for a very long time and haven’t had any issues with it.

The rationale I’ve included a number of completely different lighting equipment on this information is that I feel having refined and customizable lighting round you might be nice for productiveness. That is very true for those who’re working in a room or workplace with shiny fluorescent overhead lighting.

Logitech MX Grasp 3S

I’ve been singing the praises of Logitech’s MX lineup of mice for years, and completely nothing has modified. The most recent Logitech MX Grasp 3S is a supremely wonderful mouse in your Mac. Ergonomically, I discover it to be considerably higher than one thing like Apple’s Magic Mouse.

The MX Grasp 3S can be absolutely customizable utilizing Logitech’s Choices software program on the Mac. You may assign the completely different buttons to macOS options, like mission management, expose, the app switcher, and far more.

Below-desk Storage Shelf

On the lookout for a strategy to maintain litter off your desk? This HumanCentric Below Desk Storage Shelf is a good choice. It attaches to the underside of your desk utilizing adhesive strips and can be utilized to retailer issues like your keys, pockets, AirPods case, and extra.

This may not look like essentially the most thrilling accent alternative, however belief me after I say I’ve liked including this to my setup.

Ember Temperature Management Sensible Mug

If you happen to’re a espresso drinker who finds themselves getting distracted and letting your espresso get chilly, the Ember Sensible Mug may also help clear up that drawback. There’s a companion app for iPhone that permits you to management the temperature, and the battery contained in the mug can maintain your espresso heat for as much as 80 minutes.

Below $20 WFH upgrades

To spherical out this information, I assumed it’d be useful to incorporate some extra inexpensive desk and work-from-home equipment.