Most people buy a new computer every four years. While there were some good computers announced this year by Apple, Microsoft, Google, Acer, Dell and Lenovo, none was exciting enough to whip out a credit card and make me implode my two-year-old machine. That said, I’m always eager to improve my workstation — both mobile and at home — and this year’s computer accessories did warrant spending. From new wireless mice to elegant laptop stands, cool new travel adapters to productivity dongles, these are the coolest we saw this year. And, we’ve sprinkled in some of the biggest computer and laptop releases of the year in case your four years is up.
Twelve South’s Elegant MacBook Pro Stands Now Work With Apple’s Newest Laptops
It elevates the MacBook Pro off the desk and is also pretty great for housing your laptop when it's in "closed-display" mode.
Turn Your MacBook Pro Into a Productivity Beast With This Adapter
The hub features a number of ports: gigabit ethernet, micro/SD card slots, three USB 3.0 ports, 4K HDMI (30Hz), 4K mini DisplayPort (30Hz) and a USB-C Power Delivery port.
This Might Be the Most Beautiful Keyboard I’ve Ever Seen
Milled from a single piece of brass and aluminum, hand-polished and bead-blasted.
The New iPad Works With Apple Pencil and Costs $299 for Students
For all normal customers, the updated iPad costs $329.
This Is Acer’s Slimmest All-in-One Computer, Ever
It's entirely black and champagne gold.
HP’s New Chromebook Is an iPad Pro Rival (It’s Also Way Cheaper)
It's also the first Chromebook with a fully detachable keyboard.
Declutter Your Workspace with a Wool, Wireless Charger Mouse Pad
The wool and leather two-in-one device combines your mousepad with a wireless charger to help declutter your desk in style.
This $99 Lamp Will Stop You From Hating Your Office Lighting
Don't have enough desk space for a lamp?
This Mousepad for Apple’s Magic Mouse Helps You Be More Productive
It's specially engineered to make the Magic Mouse glide with less friction and more precision.
This Accessory Turns Your MacBook Pro Into a Productivity Beast
It comes in 12-inch, 13-inch, and 15-inch models, so that it fits seamlessly under your current laptop.
This Tablet Will Make You Think Twice Before Buying an iPad
It's the smallest and most affordable Surface tablet ever.
It’s Finally A Good Time to Buy a MacBook Pro, Again
In a surprise announcement, Apple has updated its MacBook Pro line of pro-grade laptops with beefed-up specs. And they start at the same prices as before.
Google Makes All of Its Employees Use This $20 Tool to Protect Their Data
The biggest tech company in the world issues out super affordable two-factor authenticators to its employees.
This Wooden Tray Is an Elegant Accessory for Apple’s Magic Keyboard
Now fits Apple's new, larger Magic keyboard with numeric keypad.
This iPad Pro-Rival Aims to Replace Your Laptop
The stylus is included in the box. Take that, Apple.
This Is the Perfect Travel Accessory for MacBook and MacBook Pro Owners
This accessory that adds two USB ports to your MacBook or MacBook Pro's power adapter.
Google Released an Anti-Hacking Product to Save You from a Common Internet Scheme
Google's answer to online phishing is surprisingly simple to use.
Finally, Apple’s Magic Keyboard Has a Worthy Competitor
Satechi has launched the first worthy competitor to Apple's Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad — and it's a fraction of the cost.
This Tiny Battery Will Power Your MacBook Pro for an Extra 50 Minutes
Ecoflow's River Rapid is powerful and slim -- the ultimate MacBook Pro accessory.
How Do Microsoft’s New Surface Devices Compare to Their Apple Alternatives?
Here's a spec breakdown of each.
The New MacBook Air Looks Like the Perfect Laptop for Most Apple Fans
Apple has finally reimagined the aging MacBook Air with a Retina Display, Touch ID, faster internals and a form factor that's 10% thinner.
The New iPad Pro Is Sexier, Brighter, More Powerful and Has Face ID
They have smaller bodies, bigger screens and also ditch the Lightning port in favor of USB-C.
Apple Releases First New Mac Mini in 4 Years — and It’s a Powerhouse
The last time Apple updated the Mac Mini was slightly over four years ago. So this new release has been a long time coming for Mac power users who need more than a laptop can...
The Most Popular Mechanical Keyboard of the Decade Gets a Small But Welcome Upgrade
By and large, mechanical keyboards are clicky and loud. Razer's new mechanical keyboard isn't,
Just like that, 2018 has come and gone. Take a look back at the best of what the past 365 days had to offer in This Year in Gear