Back to school season is here, with students preparing to head to school and college up and down the land. If that’s you and you’ve got one of the best Macs ready to take with you, you might be thinking about kitting it out with some handy accessories. While Apple’s Macs are brilliant devices, they can often be taken to another level with the help of some choice add-ons.
Here, we’ve put together some of the best Mac accessories for heading back to school, from protective bags to keep your Mac safe to useful extras that bring new features and comfort to your Mac experience. Each one is a worthy addition to your setup.
And don’t forget, if you’re getting accessories from Apple itself, be sure to look on Apple’s education store for special student discounts. Many third-party retailers also run back-to-school sales, and these often cover more than just Apple products, so don’t forget to shop around before you pull the trigger.
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Laptop backpack: Timbuk2 Authority Backpack
With all the traveling to and from lectures — not to mention flights if you’re studying far from home — student life can take its toll on your Mac. That’s why it’s important to keep it protected to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
A great option is the Timbuk2 Authority Backpack, which is our pick for the best laptop backpack money can buy. It can hold a MacBook of any size, so whether you get a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro, you know it’ll be safely stowed inside. It’s also got a dedicated iPad pocket and tons of extra storage for all the accessories you might need to carry.
There’s plenty of padding to protect against damage, and it’s also extremely comfortable to wear, even when loaded up with all your kit. And with special protection against downpours and showers, it’ll keep its contents dry and safe come rain or shine.
Portable power bank: Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K)
Arrived at a lecture only to find your Mac is about to run out of power? Ensure that never happens again with the Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K). This portable battery will keep your laptop juiced up and has enough charge for several other devices to boot.
With a massive 140W of output, it’s got enough power to charge up a MacBook Pro and an iPhone and still have extra left over. With three ports, you can hook up several devices at once, and the built-in display tells you the power bank’s battery health, output level from each port, and how much charge it’s got left.
It’s also safe to take on planes, which is good for students traveling home, and its cuboid shape makes it surprisingly easy to pack into tight corners. It’s capable, well designed, and could be just what you need when your battery is running low.
USB-C hub: Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter
While the MacBook Pro comes with HDMI and an SDXC slot alongside USB-C ports, it’s one of the few Macs to offer anything more than USB-C. If you’ve got a range of incompatible accessories, you’ll want a hub to put things right.
The Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter is a USB-C hub that can do exactly that. It plugs into a USB-C port on your Mac and offers a range of extra connectivity, including two USB-A slots, a USB-C port that can deliver up to 80W of Power Delivery juice to your devices, an SD card reader, a microSD reader, HDMI 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet.
But it’s about much more than its connectivity. This device’s clever design and extendable cable make it incredibly portable, while its included magnet allows you to quickly snap it to a surface without the risk of losing it. It’s an ingenious product that solves a problem and looks good while doing so.
Monitor: BenQ PD2706QN
As a student, chances are you’ll be spending a lot of time working on your Mac. But if that means hunching over a MacBook for hours on end, you’ll quickly feel the strain. Take it from me — I used to work exclusively on a laptop, but suffered terrible back pain until I bought myself an external monitor that vastly improved my ergonomic situation.
Our pick here is the BenQ PD2706QN. Not only will it help create a more comfortable work situation, but it boasts excellent features that are worth having in their own right.
That includes an expansive 27-inch display size with a 1440p resolution and 100Hz refresh rate, which combine to make on-screen content sharp and scrolling smooth. It offers excellent color accuracy, hitting 95% of the P3 color space, and with 90 watts of Power Delivery, it’s got enough output to keep any MacBook powered up directly from the monitor itself. We also love its Nano Matte coating option that vanquishes reflections in a pinch.
For a more affordable option, there’s the BenQ GW2486TC, which is one of our favorite MacBook Pro monitors. Its 23.8-inch frame and 1080p resolution are a little lower than the PD2706QN, but it’s a well-built display with excellent ergonomic customization that won’t break the bank. That makes it one of the best monitors on the market.
Obviously, an external display isn’t particularly practical for going to lectures, but if you spend a lot of time working in your dorm, it can be a lifesaver.
Laptop stand: Lamicall Laptop Stand
If you don’t want an external monitor but are still in search of something to boost your ergonomics, consider a laptop stand. These raise your MacBook to a more comfortable height without the expensive of an additional screen.
Our choice here is the Lamicall Laptop Stand, which is sized to fit any MacBook available. The key thing with any laptop stand is you need it to not only raise your device, but to do so safely, and that’s exactly what you get here. Lamicall’s product features a solid base to prevent it from tipping over and rubber pads that firmly keep your laptop in place.
Yet at 3.25lbs (1.47kg), it’s light enough to carry with you, and it folds down to easily fit into a backpack. It also comes fully assembled, negating the need to put it together when it arrives. Those factors all make it an ideal option for students.
Mouse and keyboard: Logitech MX Master 4 and Gamakay TK75 V2
An external mouse and keyboard are a must if you raise your Mac up to a new height, as you won’t be able to use your Mac’s built-in keyboard in its new position. But they also come in handy even if you don’t use a stand by bringing extra features and comfort to your setup.
If you’re looking for a mouse, your best choice by far is the Logitech MX Master 4, the latest entry in the incredibly popular MX Master range. Its ergonomic shape is complemented by a handy thumb scroll wheel and a gesture button that lets you move the mouse to activate native macOS gestures. Its main scroll wheel can also automatically switch between ratcheting through individual notches and spinning freely.
As for a keyboard, you can’t go wrong with the Gamakay TK75 V2, which is one of the best keyboards you can buy. Its mechanical switches are supremely comfy and surprisingly quiet, meaning you won’t disturb anyone around you, and it looks great too with its attractive design. The price is affordable and it’s compact enough to lug across campus without a worry.
Bonus: AppleCare+
With all that traveling to and from lectures, you might be concerned about bumps and bruises — or worse — heading the Mac’s way. If you’re concerned, Apple’s AppleCare+ program covers the company’s devices and can provide some peace of mind. It’s not a physical accessory, but it can be a worthwhile addon for your Mac.
AppleCare+ allows for unlimited accident repairs, including drops and liquid spills, plus 24/7 priority support from Apple. All repairs are done with genuine Apple parts so you know you’re getting quality. The price you pay for AppleCare+ depends on the Mac you get — for instance, coverage for a MacBook Pro costs $10.49 a month or $104.99 a year.
Apple also offers AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss as an optional extra. Here, you get coverage if your device is lost or stolen, and you can make up to two claims every 12 months. Note that this only covers iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches — not Macs — so it’s mainly useful if you have these devices rather than as coverage for your Mac or Mac accessories.
Finally, there’s also AppleCare One. This covers up to three products (including ones you already own) and includes theft and loss coverage for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch with up to three claims every 12 months. It costs $19.99 a month. Additional products can be added at any time for $5.99 a month each.
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