From $60Following the launch of its iPad Pro USB-C hub a month ago, Kanex is back at it again with three new offerings made with the MacBook lineup in mind. Whether you own a modern MacBook Air, Pro, or the recently discontinued 12-inch offering, there’s a Kanex iAdapt USB-C hub that’s ready to bring ports of old back to your Mac.
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$45
Amazon is offering the Timbuk2 Command Laptop Backpack for $44.99 shipped. Note: stock is running low, but more are on the way. That’s $30+ off the going rate found at retailers like Timbuk2 and is a match for the lowest price we have tracked. This backpack sports a unique design that is rounded on every corner. Dedicated compartments for a MacBook and iPad ensure that you’re ready to carry all of your favorite tech. Its lighter color won’t attract the sun, helping wearers to stay cool while on the go. Rated 4.2/5 stars.
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40% off/from $24Hyper is teaming up with 9to5Toys to celebrate Prime Day 2019. Among our favorite Mac gear accessory makers out there, Hyper is now offering a series of exclusive deals to 9to5 readers to celebrate the big summer sales event. We are looking at up to 40% off some of its most popular USB hubs for MacBooks, iPads and more. Head below for more information on how to take your Mac’s I/O up a notch and for a list of all our favorite deals from the sale.
One standout from the lot is HyperDrive’s 8-in-2 USB-C Hub for MacBook Pro and Air at $79.99 shipped. Regularly up to $120, this week’s special exclusive offer is the lowest price we have tracked on Amazon and the best we can find. Matching perfectly with your silver Apple gear, this hub transforms 2 USB-C ports (or Thunderbolt 3 ports) in to 8, significantly upgrading your computer’s I/O capabilities. Connections include 4K HDMI/MiniDP, USB-C PD and a micro SD card reader, among other things. It carries a 4+ star rating from nearly 65% of the 700 Amazon customers. Hit the list below for the rest of our exclusive Prime Day 2019 Hyper USB hubs.
Today we are taking a closer look at the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 interface. While the company is best known for its massive lineup of virtual instruments and samplers for producers, we have had a chance to dig in to some of its most affordable new hardware over the last few weeks. We were previously impressed with NI’s higher end MIDI keyboards and Maschine Mikros, but is its budget-conscious interfaces worth your time? Head below for all the details.
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PreSonus is now shipping its new Eris XT studio monitors. The previous generation Eris lineup is among the best mid-range speakers on the market and we are expecting much of the same from the new XT-series. An enhanced design on the new drivers provides better quality in tight rooms as well as much deeper bass response, among other things. Head below for all the details.
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When it comes to the best and most affordable audio interfaces out there, the Focusrite Scarlett lineup is at the top of the list. The company has been a major player in the industry since 1985 or so with a focus on offering pro-level gear at budget-conscious prices. That trend continues today with the launch of the new 3rd generation Scarlett audio interfaces for Mac/PC. All the details are down below.
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$500/$400Update 7/2 @ 8:25 AM: The 500GB version of Samsung’s X5 Portable SSD is now down to an Amazon low at $199.99 shipped. That’s $50 off the going rate and $20 under the lowest price we’ve previously seen.
Amazon offers the Samsung 1TB X5 Thunderbolt 3 Portable SSD for $399.99 shipped. Also available at B&H as well as direct from Samsung for the same price. That’s good for a 20% discount from the going rate, is $40 under the previous price drop and is a new all-time low. Headlining the X5 SSD’s list of features, the included Thunderbolt 3 port nets you up to 2800MB/s transfer speeds, making this drive a must for on-the-go video editors and more. This Samsung SSD also sports a sleek, shock-resistant casing and is bus-powered, meaning the USB-C port supplies power right from your machine. If you’re in need of ultra-fast portable storage, Samsung’s option is as notable as it gets. Rated 4.3/5 stars and you can dive into our hands-on review for an in-depth look. More details below.
When it comes to purchasing Mac accessories, OWC is one of the most-respected and well-known brands out there. For several decades the company has offered top-tier aftermarket upgrades to Apple hardware. We’ve reviewed several OWC products over the years and tend to walk away impressed.
The new OWC Envoy Pro EX brings yet another ultra-fast external storage solution to market. It’s fully compatible with Mac and PC hardware alike and delivers top speeds of up to 980MB/s. This is achievable thanks to the use of an NVMe SSD instead of many common alternatives that sport a 2.5-inch form-factor.
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Arturia is ready to release what some are saying could be among the best 88-key controllers with MIDI out there. After releasing 49 and 61-key versions of the KeyLab MKII nearly a year ago, the French music production company is back again with even more keys for you to get your fingers on. Head below for all the details.
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For the month of May, 9to5Mac has teamed up with HP to offer great deals via the company’s huge Memorial Day Sale on now. The sale has a large selection of HP’s best displays starting as low as $84, accessories, printers and more with big savings for a limited time.
Pictured above, a few of our top picks for displays include:
Check out more great deals from HP below.
Today we are diving in head first with the IK Multimedia iRig Micro mini guitar amp. This tiny device offers up a ton of value on paper with an integrated audio interface and software emulation system, but does that justify the price tag? We went hands-on to find out. Head below for all the details.
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Today we are taking a closer look at the Sensel Morph Mac touch controller. Designed around haptic feedback technologies and advanced MIDI protocols (among other things), the Sensel Morph provides users with a transformable touch controller for just about any computer based application. The portable nature and immediacy of the machine has always caught our eye. So with the release of the new Buchla overlay we though it was time to take a hands-on look.
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Buy now!Wacom is probably one of the most well-known brands of drawing devices for computers. We have gone hands-on with the company’s products in the past, and Wacom is a well-rated company all around at retailers like Amazon. Today, Wacom introduced its latest product, the Intuos Pro Small. This tablet complete’s the company’s lineup of its most advanced creative pen tablets. Coming in at $250, this creative tablet could become a must-have accessory for entry-level designers looking for the best pen-based experience on a Mac or PC.
IK Multimedia is ready to unveil one of the most affordable drum machines out there today. The fully-featured UNO Drum is the second instrument in the company’s growing analog lineup. After deciding that the UNO Synth was one of the best starter analog instruments on the market in our hands-on review, we are excited to dive in to the new UNO Drum as soon as we can. Today’s announcement highlights a sub $250 combo analog/PCM drum machine with most of the feature set we find on more expensive offerings. Head below for all the details.
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Today, WaterField is introducing its new canvas MacBook bag. The new Tech Rolltop Backpack is designed to eliminate the need to cary separate bags for work, travel and after-work activities. Along with a handy MacBook pouch it also sports ample space for all your work out gear and can easily double as a more business-oriented waxed canvas brief when the situation calls for it. Head below for more details and how to secure yourself a free Denier ballistic nylon or waxed canvas gear pouch.
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Over the last few years, USB-C has become much more prevalent than when Apple initially rolled it out on its MacBook lineup. Not only will you find it on nearly every modern Android phone, you’ll also see it on Chromebooks and the latest PCs. Anker’s upcoming PowerPort Atom PD 2 will make USB-C life a little bit easier thanks to two powerful ports built into one AC adapter.
Atom PD 2 will join Anker’s recently-released PD 1, and impressive PD 4 in a few days, with ports smart enough to power two devices and automatically prioritize which one needs it most.
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Technology, though an always-changing space still has many areas which have been unchanged throughout the years. Take the computer mouse, for instance. Though the form sometimes changes, generally, they hold the same design. Two buttons, a plastic top and bottom, and a scroll wheel. Designer Shane Chen recently released a newly-inspired wireless mouse concept that brings the mid-century design of Herman Miller’s Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman to your Mac with a uniquely-designed peripheral.
Ubiquiti has partnered with 9to5Toys to upgrade one reader’s home Wi-Fi network with an overhauled prosumer setup. Together, we’re giving away a five-piece starter kit that features all of the gear you’ll need to kickstart a UniFi setup complete with two access points, security gateway and more. Head below to learn more and how you can win.
Nektar has now unveiled a pair of new affordable MIDI keyboard controllers. The new SE line is aimed at entry-level music producers while still providing more than enough controls to keep things interesting for years to come. Ready for your Mac or mobile setups right out of the box, Nektar’s latest are some of the most accessible and budget-friendly MIDI keyboards on the market right now. Head below for everything.
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Rode has now introduced what it calls the world’s smallest wireless microphone system. The brand new audio recording setup provides broadcast quality audio with no wires needed. This system is an extremely compact recording solution ideal for those capturing performances or audio of just about any kind out in the field. Rode also claims that it carries a “price that will reset the marketplace”. Head below for more.
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It’s official, there will soon be two new Sony external SSD drives. While many external SSDs exist already, Sony is kicking things up a notch, much like Western Digital has, by baking in some serious damage resistance. Pair that with incredible performance that can reach nearly 1GB/s read and write speeds, and you’ve got a fantastic option for photographers, videographers, and other professions that have folks transferring lots of data while on-the-go.
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Over the past few years the projector market has been booming. ViewSonic recently debuted its impressive portable projector and Anker isn’t holding back either. While these two offerings merely scratch the surface of what’s going on, they do paint a picture of what consumers are looking for, and that’s portability.
With the release of the Miroir Ultra Pro Projector M631, consumers now have an option designed from the ground up to work with iPhone, iPad, MacBook and Apple TV. It weighs less than two pounds, is battery-powered, and charges via USB-C.
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If you’ve ever looked at Logitech’s MX lineup of mice, you’ve likely wondered what the major difference was. Would you like the MX Anywhere, MX Master, or even the new MX Vertical and MX ERGO? Also, there’s the regular MX Anywhere/Master and now an MX Anywhere/Master 2S, so what’s the difference? Keep reading for our full breakdown.
Today we are taking a closer look at the best podcast gear to start your soon-to-be media empire. While it can be tempting to just use the built-in microphone on your device, your listeners might not appreciate the sound quality as much as you do the convenience. Audio gear can be very expensive, so we will be going over the value proposition for various use case scenarios as well as some of the best microphones, audio interfaces and more to get you going. Everyone has different needs and budgets, so there are a number of factors to consider here.
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$8
Amazon offers the nonda USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter for $7.99 Prime shipped. Regularly $10, this is a 20% discount and is the lowest that we’ve tracked all-time. I have multiple of these adapters personally and they always come in handy. If you don’t want to deal with a larger hub or dock, this is a great way to use the older style USB devices with your brand-new MacBook or iPad Pro. This #1 best-seller will become a must-have in your tech bag. Rated 4.3/5 stars from thousands of Amazon reviewers.
The new Behringer VOCODER VC340 has now been officially unveiled for NAMM 2019. The company has been hard at work for a couple of years now on creating clones of some of the most sought-after instruments of yesteryear at drastically lower price points. The Behringer Model D recreation seemed to be quite successful for the company and now it’s ready to launch its Roland VP330 vocoder/synthesizer clone in the form of the new VC340. All the details are down below.
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When it comes to SSDs, Samsung sells some of the best options on the market. As one of the big players in tech, it is the company’s job to always be on the lookout for how it can push technical boundaries and make a better product year-over-year. With the announcement of its 970 EVO Plus, Samsung is keeping its competitors on their toes.
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the 970 EVO, by providing significant improvements write speeds and more while also keeping its foot on the brakes when it comes to price.
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It was only a matter of time before Swedish musical instrument company Elektron hit us with this year’s new gear for NAMM, and the Model:Samples is now here. The all-in-one groove box continues the company’s work in the stand alone synthesizers/drum machine space and carries one of the most affordable prices we have seen from Elektron yet.
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IK Multimedia has just unveiled the new iRig Micro Amp. This announcement comes on the heels of the new AXE I/O audio interface we got last week and continues IK’s push for solid guitar player-focused tech at this year’s NAMM. Head below for all the details.
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Well known audio company JBL is introducing its new One Series 104 reference monitors. Some two weeks ahead of NAMM 2019, all of the major companies are coming out of the woodwork with the latest and greatest technology in audio recording. Set for release in the first quarter of this year, head below for everything you need to know about the new multi-discipline JBL desktop speakers.
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Ahead of NAMM 2019 later this month, IK Multimedia has now unveiled its new AXE I/O audio interface. The guitar player-focused box brings all of the usual high resolution recording possibilities to your Mac setup along with a series of specialized features for guitar players. More details below.
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Just ahead of this year’s NAMM show, Korg has now unveiled the new minilogue XD synth. The combo analog-digital hybrid comes alongside new entries to the company’s modular-friendly Volca lineup and more. Head below for all the details.
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Adding a MacBook or MacBook Pro stand to your setup is a great way to organize, declutter and maximize any workspace. Perhaps most importantly it can help reduce neck strain by elevating your MacBook to eye-level. The good news is that there are plenty of MacBook stands out there for any budget and style. The bad news? It’s almost overwhelming to wade through all of the options. Head below for the best MacBook stands for 2019 to date.
Pad & Quill launched its new Techfolio cord organizer solution last March, and today it is expanding the lineup. Two new models are being added for both larger setups and those of us lugging around adapters and cables on the road. Both the existing option and the new variants are now available to order with a nice 15% off promo code below as well.
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Blue is coming to the Consumer Electronics Show 2019 with a brand new microphone. Known for its affordable plug-and-play USB options, the new Blue Ember brings professional XLR connectivity to the start-up podcast level market with a price to match.
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In a world of storage manufacturers like Western Digital, SanDisk, and Samsung, ADATA is a brand that seems like relatively new player. Despite the fact that it has been only been around since 2001, the company has earned its place in the market by becoming the second largest DRAM manufacturer back in 2017. ADATA is constantly releasing competitive products in the storage market, and with its upcoming SE800 external SSD, the company clearly has no intentions of slowing its pace.
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Tomtoc is offering its 360° Protection Premium Laptop Sleeve for an extra 15% off. Regularly $69.99, you can pick one up now for $31.44 on Amazon when applying code 9TO5MAC15 at checkout. That’s good for a 60% discount off the original price tag and the best offer available. More details below.
Starting today, Hyper offers 30% off sitewide as a limited time Cyber Monday sale including its best-selling USB-C hubs for MacBooks, iPads and more. It also has doorbuster deals at even bigger discounts including its popular HyperDrive DUO for $39.99 (Reg. $100). No coupon codes are required, just hit the links below to check out the sale:
Our selection: HyperDrive DUO for $39.99 (Reg. $100) and other plug-in USB-C hubs for MacBook Pro and the new MacBook Air. Check our hands-on from 9to5Mac with some of Hyper’s other USB hubs below:
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HP offers up to 57% off for its Black Friday event including up to $500 in instant savings on a range of displays, printers, accessories, PCs and more. That includes many of its popular 4K, widescreen and curved displays, and also a large number of more affordable options starting at just $99.
Top Pick: OMEN X by HP 35 Curved Display for $799 (Reg. $1,299) – As one of HP’s doorbuster deal, it’s offering a huge $500 in savings on one of its top-of-the-line 35-inch curved widescreen displays with the OMEN X (pictured above, left). This display includes a 3440 x 1440 WQHD panel in a 21:9 display widescreen format. The Omen X offers a notable 100Hz refresh rate with NVIDIA G-SYNC technology. It also includes a height adjustable screen and ambient lighting, making it a great option for gamers and at $799 one of the best deals available with these specs.
$150
Sticky notes are great for reminding yourself about things. But if you usually make digital notes, it can be time-consuming to copy everything onto paper. The Cubinote Pro Sticky Note Printer solves this problem by printing custom sticky notes whenever you need them. Right now, it’s just $149.99 (Orig. $177) at 9to5Toys Specials.
$159This weekend is your last chance to preorder the HyperJuice USB-C Battery Pack for $159 before the price increases to $299 at retail.
HyperJuice is made to be the world’s most powerful USB-C portable battery pack yet and it does so with some quite impressive specs. At 550 grams and just 7.5 x 3-inches and an inch thick, the HyperJuice has a massive 27000mAh capacity. It also includes dual USB-C ports with 100W and 60W power delivery. That means you can, for example, double the battery life of a 15-inch MacBook Pro using HyperJuice. You’ll also find an 18W USB-A Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 port for quick charging iPhones, Android smartphones, and other supported devices. And with 100W input, you can charge the HyperJuice itself in just one hour!
Today we are getting a new ROLI Beatmaker kit. The company is one of new leaders in 5D touch hardware and these beat maker kits it releases are some of the best options for those looking to jump in. The latest model brings together some of its expressive hardware instruments along with an impressive bundle of companion software to get you going.
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Apogee Jam+ is the latest USB interface from the world renown audio company. Designed as the company’s next generation mobile recording solution, it also provides professional quality inputs and outputs for your Mac/PC as well. The latest version comes with updated features and will be available starting today from the Apple Store and authorized Apogee dealers.
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Razer has become a household name when it comes to PC gaming. From keyboards and mice to gaming laptops, phones, and eGPUs, I thought Razer was in just about every category it wanted to be in. But,recently it announced that it was entering the Wi-Fi game with the Razor Sila wireless router.
You’ll get a slim build on Sila, and this router prioritizes applications so your online game is never interrupted. There are multiple new technologies used here, and some are proprietary engines build by Razer itself. The Razor Sila Wireless Router is designed to give you reliable and high-performance networking for gaming, but what all does it do that normal routers don’t provide? Keep reading to find out more.
We have seen loads of rumors pointing at a major release coming down the pipeline down in Asheville, North Carolina, and now the Moog One is here. While there doesn’t appear to have been an official announcement just yet, a blog post and pre-order listing over at Sweetwater have unveiled the new, absolute beast of a poly synth.
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This morning LG has announced its newest 4K 32UK550-B monitor, a 31.5-inch display that packs HDR and more. It’s priced at $500 which puts it right in the mid-range of 4K alternatives on the market. LG has been slow to roll out HDR monitors, so today’s news is a welcome announcement. In fact, its their first priced below $500. Head below for more.
It has been 10 years since the folks at Korg originally introduced its nano lineup of MIDI controllers. The family of products were then refreshed some years ago with the nanoPAD2, nanoKontrol2 and nanoKEY2 models. All three of the small footprint controllers are great for both Mac and iOS DAW setups providing hardware controls for your transport, mixer and more. They are easily some of the best portable options out there, providing you don’t require wireless transmission, and today Korg has announced a new limited edition run.
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Native Instruments is one of the biggest names in the music production game these days. It produces some of the best software instruments and sound libraries for producers and sound designers along with a fleet of great hardware including everything from Traktor DJ controllers to the KOMPLETE keyboards and its drum pad oriented Maschine gear. All three of those product lineups are getting refreshed hardware today, but NI is also introducing completely overhauled versions of some of its most popular and groundbreaking instrument software as well as its behemoth KOMPLETE bundle.
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