Christmas is coming so it’s time to start thinking about the gifts you’re going to give you friends and loved ones! Today we’ll be looking at the Mac lover in your life, and fortunately there are a lot of awesome gifts out there for Apple fans.
Here are ten that should make any Mac user smile!
While getting a laptop for mobile work and a desktop for working from a desk is ideal, there are a lot of people who work on their laptops from their desks and deal with the less-than-comfortable ergonomics of this setup.
Twelve South ParcSlope for Apple MacBook and iPad Pro | Hybrid laptop stand and tablet desktop wedge
Angles MacBook keyboard and trackpad at a very comfortable 18-degree typing angle.If you’re buying a gift for one of these people, the ParcSlope is a great option; by elevating the screen of the laptop, it reduces neck stress, and because of the sloped design, it doesn’t require an external keyboard to use. It also has built-in cable management to help keep your friend’s or loved one’s desk clear.
Despite the name, it’s not a great idea to work with your laptop on your lap. It’s even harder on your neck and back than working on a laptop from a desk. Not only that, but it can be very uncomfortable if your laptop is prone to heating up.
LapGear Classic Original Wood Lapdesk (45364)
Perfect for notebook computers up to 15.6"A lap desk can help (at least a little) with both of these issues. The LapGear lap desk uses microbeads in the leg cushions for comfort and stability, the wood laminate surface improves airflow to your MacBook’s vents, and there are two elastic straps to help keep your accessories in place.
If there’s one thing that newer Macs are missing, it’s ample USB ports. From the iMac to the new Macbook, if you intend on connecting a mouse, keyboard and maybe external drive then you’re going to need more ports.
USB Hub, Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Portable Aluminum Hub with 2-Foot USB 3.0 Cable, for iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, or any PC (Silver)
Apple-style aluminum finish creates a natural extension to your Mac computer.Luckily you can get them with this stylish USB hub which adds four ports with a single plug. A two-foot cord and velcro strips for securing the hub to a desk are included, and the aluminum silver finish makes this a great accessory for any Mac purist. Its small size makes it a great stocking stuffer!
This clamp USB hub from Satechi is another good option for desktop users.
Macs are great, but laptop speakers just don’t cut it for most people. If the Mac enthusiast in your life appreciates high-quality sound, they’re going to need some suitably high-quality speakers. The Soundsticks from Harman Kardon are a great deal; for less than $200, you get two satellite speakers and a 6-inch subwoofer that provide solid sound quality.
Satechi Aluminum Clamp Hub Premium 4-Port USB 3.0 Compatible with iMacs Released 2012 and Later
4 SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Ports - Take advantage of lightning-fast USB 3.0 and turn one USB 3.0 ports into 4 portsIt’s tough to beat the Soundsticks when it comes to style — the second version of these speakers is a permanent part of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. If you already have enough cords and cables around the house (who doesn’t?), check out the Bluetooth version to prevent more clutter.
Graphics tablets are a must for any aspiring digital artist, but they have a tendency to be quite expensive (especially the higher models from Wacom, the big name in the business).
Wacom Intuos Draw CTL490DW Digital Drawing and Graphics Tablet
Perfect for beginning digital artists - draw, paint, and edit with an easy to use pen tablet.The Intuos Draw is a great entry-level tablet for new artists or old hands making the change to digital. Its small size and easy connectivity make it great for anyone who wants to draw on the go, too. Don’t miss out on these 16 other great gifts for digital artists this year.
Having great speakers is nice, but every heavy computer user needs a solid set of headphones too — especially if they tend to work on the go. The Troubador from LSTN stands out with great sound and an absolutely phenomenal design; the wooden accents (available in ebony, cherry, and zebra wood) are unique to each set of headphones.
LSTN is a great company; in addition to making super cool audio products, they travel the world with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to bring hearing aids to people can’t afford them.
If the Mac user in your life likes a natural look, they’ll absolutely love Orée accessories. The wooden keyboard and trackpad are natural standouts, and the Pebble wireless charging station combines a very nice look with a Bluetooth speaker so you can charge and jam at the same time. These artisanal accessories are expensive, but they absolutely cannot be matched.
Spending a lot of time on the road with your laptop is made a lot easier with the right bag. There are a lot of great options out there, but Timbuk2’s Q backpack is tough to beat. For less than $100, you get a padded laptop pocket, TSA-friendly access to your computer, an elastic pocket for a water bottle or bike lock, and a lifetime warranty on the bag.
Timbuk2 Q Laptop Backpack, Grey, One Size
Covered by Timbuk2's legendary lifetime warranty
Buy Now at Amazon.com
Not sure if your friend or loved one will dig the style? Check out Crumpler’s Dry Red No 5 bag, our Mac editor’s favorite.
Crumpler The Dry Red No. 5 Laptop Bag and Backpack, Grey/Rust Red, One Size
Left to their own devices cables have a habit of making themselves scarce crumpler cable pouches ensure your laptop cables will always all be in the same place and time zone as you
Buy Now at Amazon.com
Looking for a gift for a MacBook user? This HD monitor is an absolute winner. Does your giftee already have an iMac? Another monitor certainly wouldn’t hurt! The ASUS PA248Q is a fantastic deal for a nice monitor.
ASUS PA248Q 24.1" WUXGA 1920x1200 IPS DisplayPort HDMI DVI-D VGA Ergonomic Back-lit LED Monitor
Professional-grade color fidelity with pre-calibrated to Delta E of less than 5 for industry-leading color accuracyAt less than $300, you’re not likely to find quality of this level in a 24″ monitor anywhere else. And it can be turned 90 degrees to a vertical orientation, making it great for people who work with long documents.
MacBooks are great computers, but there are a lot of them out there and they all look the same—until they’re decorated. MacBook decals are an affordable gift that’s a lot of fun. A quick search on Etsy reveals a huge range of stickers, from tattooed Disney characters (such as Snow White on my own laptop, above) and Star Wars decals to less dorky options like atomic symbols and custom letters.
These ten items are awesome gifts for Mac owners, but there’s a huge selection of other great gifts out there, both for desktop and mobile Mac users.
What are you hoping for this year? Share your favorite Mac accessories that you’d like to get or give in the comments below!
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