Computer Accessories

Earlier today, Dell announced two new gaming monitors that will soon join its line-up that will be referred to as 2419HGF and 2719DGF. Its new offerings are sized at 24- and 27-inches, providing consumers two sizes to consider for their next display. If you were expecting size to be the only differentiator, you would be wrong. The 27-inch monitor packs a higher resolution in addition to faster refresh rates. Each display packs connectivity options that include HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB, but the number and specifications of ports vary between models.

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If you find yourself preferring mechanical keyboards and are a fan of the Resident Evil franchise, Capcom may have just the product for you. The company has announced an official Resident Evil 2 mechanical keyboard based on the game’s Lexington typewriter. In addition to its standout-design, the keyboard packs Bluetooth and works on both Windows and macOS.
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When one thinks of a mechanical keyboard, you might remember the old bulky off-white models that you had in the classroom years ago. Or, if you’re a bit more up-to-date, you might think of the flashy RGB-style gamer-designed versions that are flooding the market as of late.

One thing that generally doesn’t come to mind is a Mac-style keyboard, especially with the way Apple has treated the keys of its latest flagship MacBook Pro with barely any travel at all. In comes the Vinpok Taptek, though an odd name, the keyboard itself looks fantastic with Cherry-style switches and the ability to be used both wired or wirelessly.

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Elgato has introduced a new version of its popular $150 Stream Deck Live. Dubbed the ‘Stream Deck Mini‘, its latest release gets a $50 price reduction but loses nine buttons as a trade-off. Although originally designed for gamers, the Stream Deck has found a home amongst Mac power users as a means for quickly calling up apps and various functions.

The latest version may be short on buttons in comparison, but its more attractive price tag is sure to appeal to a larger audience. More below.

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Kensington has announced a new product aimed squarely at making your computing experience more comfortable. Its new CoolView Wellness Monitor Stand sports a built-in fan that can be replaced with its upcoming heater or air purifier releases. Swapping the fan out is made possible thanks to the stand’s modular design. This is a feature that is sure to help it stick out in an already-crowded market, stuffed with alternatives from beloved companies like Twelve South.
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PreSonus is one of those music production gear companies that offers up some great gear at very affordable price tags. It just recently debuted the latest version of its FaderPort controllers and has now issued a new podcasting/home recording bundle. The new package brings together just about everything one might need to get their YouTube media empire off the ground for under $300.
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UltraWide is the new 16×9 when it comes to monitors, but some companies take it to the extreme. Both Samsung and Philips offer a 32:9 49-inch monitor (behemoth, insanity, call it whatever you like), and that’s just too wide. While I love my 21:9 35-inch UltraWide monitor, I’ve been wanting something slightly larger, but not quite as large as the Samsung or Philips 49-inch offering.

Well, Samsung now makes a 32:10 43-inch curved monitor and that seems slightly more manageable. Though the previous Samsung 49-inch was locked at a 1080p resolution, this new 43-inch offering has a slightly higher pixel density with a 3840×1200 resolution. With this higher resolution, a built-in KVM switch, a 120Hz refresh rate, and more, could Samsung’s 43-inch C43J89 be my next monitor?

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Arturia has been one of our favorite music gear makers over the last few years. Its affordable analog Brute-series synths and drum machines provide that classic sound to those that may have otherwise been left dreaming about having that MiniMoog one day. While personally I like to have a balance between pricey analog sound sources and interesting software options, Arturia is unveiling the latest member in its analog Brute family and we are stoked about it.
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We feature our fair share of interesting gear and instruments for Mac/iOS musicians and producers around here. Just last week Elektron debuted the new Analog Heat external FX processor just after the fully-loaded Synth One iPad Synthesizer hit the App Store for free. A couple of months back Moog brought us the new Grandmother semi-modular analog synth, but today we are looking at the brand new SKULPT from British designer Modal.
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Elektron is one of our favorite audio production companies out there. It may not have a long-standing history like some of the more well-known brands like Moog, Korg and others, but it has been producing some of the more interesting hardware instruments in the game for a number of years from analog drum machines, effects boxes and synths, to digital beat machines and more. We have been lucky enough to go hands on with some of its gear in the past and we’re excited to hear about the launch of the new Analog Heat MKII.
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Founded in the mid 1920’s, Beyerdynamic has been producing high-quality audio gear out of Germany for many years. As of late, it is best known for its over-ear studio headphones that easily rank among our favorites in the price range. But today the company is introducing a new product in an audio category the it is not normally associated with.
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The SD Association recently published a white paper describing new technologies that boost the potential of SD cards in terms of speed and storage capacity. With the announcement of SD Ultra Capacity and SD Express, the ceiling for storage capacity has been lifted from 2TB to a jaw-dropping 128TB and speeds can now reach nearly 1GB/s clocking in at a maximum of 985MB/s.
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A few years back when the original 12-inch MacBook came out in 2015, people were clamoring for a monitor that could not only send video, but also audio, and power to the notebook all over a single USB-C cable.

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This time around, WaterField is setting its sights on the business professional with its newest product. The company today has announced the release of its new Pro Executive Backpack and Folio.
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LifeProof has been a well-known brand name for a quite a while now. Alongside companies like Otterbox, it provides some of the toughest and robust smartphone cases on the market to keep your precious gear safe in the most rugged locales.

While the brand already offers other options like apparel, charging solutions, cables and more, today it is bringing its legacy in protective gear to the new active backpack lineup.
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National Teacher day is coming up on May 8th, and schools celebrate Teacher Appreciation week from May 7th–11th. I have many teachers who made a positive difference in my life, and I am sure you did as well. If you want to surprise your child’s teacher with a few tech-related gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week, here are some things I recommend from personal experience in the classroom.

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IK Multimedia has created some of the best and most affordable audio production gear out there for years. Whether it’s a MIDI controller keyboard with a built-in interface, guitar rigs or high-quality iOS recording solutions, the company offers just about everything. It most recently launched (and has continued to support) its Syntronik Software Instrument collection, of which you can check out our review right here. Now, the company is stepping into the hardware synthesizer space for the first time.
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Moshi offers 9to5 readers an exclusive 20% off its Urban Safari and Tego collections of backpacks with the promo codes below. Free standard shipping is available on all United States orders.

The four products included in the sale (pictured above) include:

• Helios – $104 (Reg. $130) w/ code 9to5ToysMoshiSafari: A compact and lightweight designer backpack crafted with vegan leather. Despite its slim frame, it can carry a 13″ laptop (MacBook Pro 13-inch 2016-2017) or tablet, with leftover space for your sunglasses case and wallet. A front pocked is designed for easy access and to hold valuables.
• Lula – $96 (Reg. $120) w/ code 9to5ToysMoshiSafari: A sleek crossbody nano bag with adjustable straps, available in black, pink, and blue twill and features stylish golden accents. The main compartment is large enough for an iPad mini while a zippered RFID pocket protects your personal data from theft.
• Tego Backpack – $136 (Reg. $170) w/ code 9to5GoogleMoshi: Crafted from a lightweight and durable fabric, the Tego backpack sports a futuristic design while maintaining modern functionality. Conveniently charge your phone on the move with a pass-through USB port (fast charging 2.4 A) that attaches to a portable battery (optional) stored inside your bag.
• Tego Slingpack –$96 (Reg. $120) w/ code 9to5ToysMoshiSafari: The crossbody Tego Slingpack is cut-proof and weather-resistant to keep your belongings safe and dry. The compact interior includes several compartments for smartphones and other small devices. It also features an anti-theft rear zippers.

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Today, Samsung has announced two new SSD stacks, the 970 EVO and 970 Pro. With the rise of popularity of NVMe solid-state drives, these new storage solutions are sure to be a hit for DIY prosumers and professionals alike. Both drives arrive on the scene with a M.2 form-factor designed to handle high-end content-focused work loads via the PCIe Gen 3×4 lane interface. More below.

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This morning Opera announced that it’s closing up shop on its free VPN app. With various moves by the United States government allowing telecom companies to sell or throttle data, it’s becoming more important than ever to consider utilizing a VPN. Following Opera’s decision to shutter its popular service, we’ve taken the time to roundup our favorite alternatives to help keep you safe out on the web.

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Nordstrom Rack currently has a huge sale on Incase products. Our top pick is the Metallic Level iPhone 7 Case for $12.97 with free shipping in orders of $100+. Normally $50, this is one of the best prices we’ve tracked and the lowest available. Incase is well-known here at 9to5 and is often our top pick when it comes to protecting your devices. Generally, Incase products are well-rated on Amazon.

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Today, ROLI is announcing the availability of the Songmaker Kit. The bundle brings together two of company’s latest multi-touch controllers with the Loop Block and over $400 worth of software along with them. The previous kit offered for a very brief time earlier this year and for a limited time in 2016 sold out so quickly the company decided to give it another run.
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Blue Microphones is one of the most trusted names in the game with its extensive line of prosumer audio recording devices. From the approachable Snowball iCE up to the Yeti, there’s something for everyone that might be looking to enter the podcasting game.

Turning its attention to more pro-grade setups, Blue has now introduced the new Yeticaster setup. This $200 bundle sports a custom Yeti microphone, the new Compass Broadcast boom arm and a shockmount with vintage styling. While Blue’s existing offerings are great for entry-level recording, this new bundle has everything needed to take your podcast and voiceovers to the next level.

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After unveiling its brand new cord and accessory management folio earlier this week, the folks over at Pad & Quill are back with a pair of gorgeous new leather MacBook bags. We are getting two updated form factors here with the new Heritage Rolltop Leather Backpack and the Heritage Satchel Leather Laptop Bag.
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Amazon offers the SanDisk Ultra 64GB USB-C/A Flash Drive for $22.49. You can also pick up the 16GB model for $12.99. For comparison, B&H has the larger capacity for $33 and today’s offer is within $1 of the best that we’ve seen. Easily transfer data from your USB-C-enabled MacBook or Pixelbook with this flash drive. Rated 4.1/5 stars.

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Monoprice is currently taking up to $200 off select 3D Printers starting at $180 when item-specific promo codes are applied at checkout. Our top pick is the MP Select Mini 3D Printer V2 which drops to $179.99 shipped with code MINI40. That’s good for a $40 discount and is the lowest we’ve seen on the entry-level 3D printer. Reviews are solid across the board here, with just about all of Monoprice’s 3D printers receiving 4+ star ratings. Head below for more!

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Anyone familiar with 9to5Toys and Logic Pros knows how much we like the IK Multimedia production gear. It might not be the absolute best-of-the-best out there, but the affordable price tags, more than capable functionality and seamless integration with our Apple gear puts it atop our list of some of the best in the price range.

Late last year we had a chance to go hands-on with the new iRig Keys I/O hybrid MIDI controller and audio interface. We already found the keyboard to be an amazing pick up for anyone just starting out with music production and even an awesome secondary controller/portable studio for everyone else. Well, today IK announced some new functionality when it comes to direct integration with Apple’s flagship music production software in the form of a new plug-in.
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The Microsoft Store offers HTC VIVE Virtual Reality System + VIVE Racket Sports Set with Tracker for $598 shipped. Picking up this bundle would typically run you over $750 when purchased separately and this is the lowest offer out there. Over at Amazon, the VIVE carries a 4.1/5 star rating from over 1,000 customers.

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Amazon offers the SanDisk Ultra II 960GB 2.5-inch Internal Solid State Drive for $229.99 shipped. Also at Walmart and Best Buy. Originally $400, today’s offer is $50 off the regular going rate and the best that we’ve seen at Amazon in over a year. SanDisk’s Ultra II lineup is perfect for upgrading your Mac or PC’s internal storage. Includes a 3-year warranty. Rated 4.4/5 stars by 2,800 reviewers.

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We recently did a giveaway of Function101’s Bento Stack, and you loved it. So, for those that didn’t win, we decided to team up with Function101 to offer an exclusive 30% off of Bento Stack.

Normally $50, when you use our exclusive coupon code 9to5toys, you’ll receive 30% off Bento Stack and Bento Stack XL at checkout. This means the price will drop down to $34.97 for both models. Shipping adds $10 globally. This discount is stackable too so you can order multiple organizers at the sale price.

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Staples is offering the Logitech K375s Multi-Device Wireless keyboard and Stand Combo for $29.99 shipped. Normally selling for $50, that’s good for a discount of $20 and is the best offer we’re seeing. For comparison, the combo still fetches $50 direct from Logitech. Rated 3.8/5 stars.

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Amazon offers its Prime members the Logitech Z337 Bluetooth 2.1-Ch. Speaker System for $49.98 shipped. Originally $100, this system has held fairly steady at $80 over the last year. Today’s offer is a match of our previous mention and the best that we’ve seen. Rated 4.2/5 stars.

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Well, it’s that time of year. NAMM 2018 is just around the corner now and we are already seeing many of the big time music production company’s showing off their 2018 lineups. Arturia has certainly been busy the last few days with the second generation MiniBrute, Mini Brute 2S and RackBrute, not to mention the new interfaces from Focusrite and Universal Audio.

We suspected Korg wouldn’t be far behind Arturia here, and we were right. The company has now unveiled a brand new poly synth, a drum machine and the latest addition to its popular (and extremely affordable) Volca line…
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With NAMM 2018 just around the corner, we are starting to see some major new music production product announcements. Arturia has been busy unveiling the next generation MiniBrute synthesizers and Universal Audio’s most affordable new Thunderbolt interface is now available for purchase. While the higher-end Universal Audio options rank among our favorites in the price range, Focusrite is also revealing its latest I/O hardware with the new Clarett USB devices…
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(Update 1/17 12:00pm):

• Here’s the new RackBrute 3U and 6U modular power supply cases/rigging system [Video]
• Arturia has now launched the MiniBrute 2S with no keyboard and a much deeper sequencer

French electronic music company Arturia started back in 1999 with some of the best analog emulation products on the market. The company more recently dove head first into the hardware business with its Brute line of analog synthesizers as well as some interesting digital hardware for modular users and the like. Most recently it released its massive flagship Matrix Brute for a cool $2,199, but it looks as though the company is back to focusing its attention on the more affordable and universal end off the product line.

Ahead of NAMM 2018 (kicks off later this month), Arturia has now unveiled the latest hardware product with the MiniBrute 2…
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In celebration of CES 2018, we are teaming up with HyperDrive to offer 9to5 readers an exclusive 20% off all of the company’s USB-C hubs. Simply use code 9to5mac at checkout to redeem the special pricing.
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If it wasn’t already obvious, CES 2018 is now in full swing with product announcements coming from every direction. The new Roav Viva Bluetooth Alexa assistant for your vehicle surfaced this morning, not to mention huge announcements from LG, Roku, Netgear, TiVo and the gorgeous Alexa-enabled Verdera Mirror. When it comes to the world of STEM, we expected to get some announcements courtesy of Kano and that we are..
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Amazon offers the Logitech MX Master 2S Wireless Mouse with FLOW for $79.99 shipped. Also at Office Depot. That’s a 20% savings off the regular price at retailers like B&H, an Amazon all-time low and the best offer available. We loved it in our hands-on review and Amazon customers have largely agreed.

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Amazon offers the Twelve South BookArc for MacBook in silver for $29.99 shipped after the on-page coupon is clipped. That’s a $20 savings off the regular price, a new Amazon all-time low by $10 and the best that we can find. Rated 4.3/5 stars.

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IK Multimedia has released loads of new generation products for portable and mobile musicians over the last 12 months. From the iRig HD 2 condenser mic and the sub-$100 iRig Pre guitar interface, to the new Syntronik for Mac/iOS, IK has something for everyone this holiday season. Back in August, the company debuted its latest MIDI controller product known as iRig Keys I/O. As expected with IK, this appeared to come along with everything you could want in a sub $300 controller, but this time around IK decided to take it one step further with a more all-in-one approach.

The controller keyboard-meets-audio interface brings a lot to the table for the price tag, but is it all a little too good to be true? We decided to put the company’s latest flagship driver to the test over the last couple weeks in a typical home studio environment across a number of different projects. Head below to find out more…
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For a limited time, Hyper offers 9to5 readers an exclusive $20 off its 7-in-1 and 7-in-2 USB-C hubs for MacBook and MacBook Pro. The 7-in-2 DUO for 2016/2017 MacBook Pros is the most successful crowdfunded USB-C product, and the new SOLO single USB-C connector brings the same great experience to MacBook and other USB-C device users.

That brings the price down to $59 on the Solo and $79 on the Duo with promo code 9to5Mac, getting you the best price around on the original USB-C hub for MacBook.

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We recently had a chance to go hands-on with WaterField’s Air Porter leather laptop bag. That option is particularly useful for traveling and as a carry-on, but today we are looking at the company’s new briefcase-meets-gym bag with the new Atlas Executive Athletic Holdall.
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