Our latest roundup of Mac accessories includes all sorts of ways to put your Mac’s Thunderbolt connections to work. And when you’re done with that, we’ve got plenty of bags to carry your laptop home, as well as some other gear for connecting and recording.
The $350 Journeyman Leather Messenger Bag has room for both a 13-inch laptop and a full-size iPad. The company says that the bag has “innovative laptop suspension technology” that “gently cradles your tech, lifting it away from your back,” protecting both your fragile devices and your lower lumbar region.
If you’re looking for big, bigger, biggest Thunderbolt storage capabilities, you’ll want to check out LaCie’s new $999 5big Thunderbolt Series external hard drives, which comes in 10, 20, and 25 TB versions, with an average transfer rate of 785 MB/s and dual 10 GB/s Thunderbolt ports for daisy-chaining. (You can chain six of the LaCie devices together.) The drives are aimed at film professionals who are already hard at work editing video on their new Mac Pros.
The $160 Chugplug is an external battery pack for 45- and 60-watt MacBooks that provides an extra three to four hours of battery time when you’re working out of reach of a power outlet. The Chugplug itself charges in just two hours, and it fits easily into your bag so you’re always ready for a power shortage.
The $115 DaVinci Resolve 10 is a plug-and-play Mac keyboard that features 125 labeled and color-coded shortcuts for Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 10. It uses Apple’s full-size wired keyboard, which means it’s housed in an aluminum enclosure and it features two USB 2.0 ports.
Want to make sure your fancy new Mac Pro doesn’t walk away? The $90 Mac Pro Lock with Security Cable Lock tethers your computer in place by looping at one end to a table or desk leg. At the other end is a bracket plate with an extended lip that curves to match the body of the Mac Pro, making your valuable technology just a bit more difficult to steal.
The $495 ThunderBay IV is a four-bay, high-performance external drive that offers sustained data rates of 895 MB/s. It can be expanded to accommodate 4, 8, 12, or 16 TB of storage. You can daisy-chain up to six devices plus one high-resolution display.
The Meteorite is a USB microphone that connects directly to your Mac (or, with an adapter, to your iOS device). It works right out of the box—it’s plug-and-play with no drivers required—letting you create CD-quality audio for podcasts or music-making.
The $30 F1 Smart Monitor Stand has four USB 2.0 ports, as well as headphone and microphone extension ports, letting you maximize your work space without losing any connection capabilities. The aluminum stand can accommodate any display or all-in-one Mac, supporting up to 22 pounds, and provides room under the display for peripherals and even a Mac mini.
The $250 Thunderbolt Docking Station makes it easy to connect all your accessories to your MacBook when you need to get to work, and to quickly unplug when it’s time to leave the office. “Through a single connection to your laptop, you can be up-and-running in seconds,” the makers say. The Docking Station features Thunderbolt ports, HDMI video ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a USB 3.0 hub, and 3.5mm audio ports.
That 27-inch iMac can’t always just sit on your desk—sometimes it needs to be moved somewhere. Tenba’s $655 Transport Air Case with Wheels lets you transport your iMac around the country, and through airports, in a hardened case that protects the computer from abuse. On the outside are a shipping-document window, a business card holder, and an engraveable plate to ensure that everybody knows who the computer belongs to. It’s ideal for trade shows and other “limited duration” events where you need to tote along your desktop. (HT iLounge)
The $89 Slate Backpack has room for an iPad and a 15-inch MacBook Pro. Additionally,the company says, “easy-access stretchy side pockets hold a water bottle or a U-lock and a simple front zip pocket provides access to your phone, card, and keys.”
The $335 Rough Rider Leather Messenger is 15 inches across, meaning it will accommodate any recent Mac laptop. The company says that “four deep pockets keep gear in place: two waxed canvas inside the main compartment and another two lined with soft, scratch-free material under the flap that are perfect for stowing an iPad mini and smartphone.” Tough on the outside, soft on the inside—just like the tender-hearted hero of an action movie.
Author: Joel Mathis
Joel Mathis is a regular contributor to Macworld and TechHive. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and young son.