Apple makes some good-looking computers: they’re made of aluminum, have impressive displays, and always push the envelope in one way or another (for better or worse). That doesn’t mean they’re easy to interact with. Ever try to plug something into an iMac? Yeah. If you want the best experience with your Mac, you’ll need these accessories that give you extra ports, even more space, and make it a little easier to deal with the form-over-function aesthetic that is part of the recent spate of Apple computers.
Get More Space
Adding storage to almost any recent Apple computer is impossible to do yourself, and basically requires a call with your financial advisor if you want anything besides the standard option. Instead, get a small external hard drive and save a few hundred bucks at the same time. Portable external drives like Samsung’s T5 SSD are tiny and come in multiple storage sizes. They support USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds, have a USB-C port, and ship with both USB-C and USB-A cables so you won’t need an adapter, no matter your machine.
If you want to add some storage to your iMac at home, consider getting a shelf that mounts to the rear of the all-in-one. TwelveSouth’s Backpack for iMac frees up some desk space by adding a shelf to the stand on your iMac—perfect for an external drive.
Get More Ports
Apple went all-in with USB-C on its MacBook laptops, seemingly forgetting that everyone else still uses a lot of USB-A devices (as well as the MagSafe connector, but I’m not at all bitter about it). With no HDMI ports, USB-A ports, SD card slots, or Ethernet ports, the new MacBook requires a bit of assistance in the form of, well, a dongle for every missing port.
A USB-C hub can serve the purpose of multiple dongles, a plus if you tend to lose small gadgets. Options are available for those in need of an HDMI port or an extra pair of USB-A ports. Need more? Snag a more expensive hub that includes an SD card reader, Ethernet port, and additional USB-A ports.
Get Easy Access Ports
Be honest: you’re tired of guessing where to plug your USB drive or 3.5mm jack when dealing with your iMac. Those rear ports are great for hiding cables, but they’re a pain to access. Getting a traditional USB hub would solve your problem, but then you’ll have another gadget on your desk. Instead, get a front-facing USB hub designed specifically for your iMac.
It plugs into the ports on the rear of your iMac and acts like an extender that clips to the bottom of your computer. Now, instead of doing the reach-around on your machine, you can finally easily plug in flash drive, SD cards, and other USB-C devices.
Arm Your iMac
That iMac is a sleek machine, but the all-in-one takes up valuable desk space. You’ve got two options: put your iMac on a stand or mount it to a monitor arm. Some iMacs can be mounted using standard VESA mounts, but some select models have a stand that cannot be removed. You’ll need a special mounting adapter to fit those on monitor arms. If you can remove the stand, you can use this VESA mount adapter and mount it on a monitor arm that supports its weight.
If you’re averse to disassembling your iMac, you can always opt for an iMac stand. TwelveSouth’s HiRise for iMac lets you get adjust the height of your iMac while providing some extra storage space beneath it, and keeping it hidden behind a grille.
Privatize Your Screen
Those MacBook Pro displays are big, bright, and have excellent viewing angles. That means you, along with everyone sitting beside you, can see exactly what you’re working on. To give yourself some peace of mind, get yourself a privacy screen—a film you stick to your laptop (or desktop) display that obscures your screen when you’re not looking directly at it. Sure, you’ll have to say goodbye to sharing YouTube videos with your colleague next to you, but at least you won’t have to worry whether or not they’re judging you based on your browser bookmarks.