Computer Accessories

After detailing its new iPhone 14 collection, Bellroy has now unleashed its new MacBook accessory known as the Lite Laptop Sleeve. Once again employing environmentally-conscious materials, its new laptop sleeve covers your portable computing machine in a lightly textured and padded sheath to guard against bumps and scratches on the road, and looks quite nice doing it based on the imagery. Head below for more details and a closer look at Bellroy’s new Lite Laptop Sleeve. 

Today, Western Digital is unveiling one of the fastest portable SSDs out there with the new PRO-G40. Officially known as the SanDisk Professional PRO-G40 SSD, WD is delivering a particularly rugged and protective portable solid-state solution today with modern specs and dual-mode NVMe featuring both Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) and USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) support. Now clocking in as one of the fastest portable SSDs on the market, it is available for purchase starting today, and you can get all of the details down below. 

Audio-Technica has now unveiled the next-generation of its popular AT2020USB+ with the new AT2020USB-X USB mic. Audio-Technica, founded in 1962, has been delivering high-quality recording gear at reasonable prices for years now – I use one of its ATH4050 XLR mics in my home studio – and its AT2020 USB option quickly became one of the more popular models out there when it launched years ago. Fast-forward to today, and the brand is ready to take the design to the next level with the release of the new AT2020USB-X variant. Head below for a closer look and more details. 

CalDigit has long made some of the best Mac accessories on the market, and the most recent debut to pick up the torch is now finally back in stock. After launching earlier in the year, the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock is finally available for purchase again courtesy of Amazon. Now back in stock at $399.99 via the retailer, you’ll have been lucky to find this one on virtual shelves at all since initially launching several months ago.

It’s time to take a look at the best on-the-go storage out there, from the SanDisk Extreme portable SSD to the latest from Samsung, and some of the best bang for your buck options. We have had a chance to go hands on with a number of options over the years as well as some of the most sought-after options on the market as of late, and some clear front runners have emerged for folks looking to scoop one up today. While the latest PNY models sit in a nice middle ground for those looking to save some cash, the SanDisk Extreme portable SSDs and Samsung’s T-series lineup still remain some of our favorite options, especially considering how often they go on sale. But there are some other solutions out there that deliver some serious value for the price. Head below for a closer look at our picks for the best portable SSDs – some of which are seeing some solid price drops right now. 

It’s time to dive into our 2022 edition podcast equipment list. With so many folks stepping into the space, whether it’s in a professional capacity or just as a hobby for beginners, it can be a daunting task to choose which podcast microphone and other gear you really need to get going in the right direction. It’s seeming like every even mildly audio-focused brand has an interface and a USB microphone available these days. So we thought we would organize some of the gear we have had a chance to go hands-on with (in some form or other) to help answer some frequently asked questions and to demystify some of the details for digital audio beginners and those just getting started in the podcasting space. Below, you’ll find a series of podcast equipment and gear to get you off on the right foot as well as ways to save some serious cash when first getting started. 

It’s time to take a look at the new MacBook Air bag from WaterField. Designed to accommodate the latest 13-inch M2 Apple MacBook Air (or just about any other laptop) and launching on the heels of the brand’s canvas magnetic M2 MacBook Air sleeve, the new WaterField Vitesse Musette Plus bag aims to be the ultimate commuter-messenger-style bag. Head below for a closer look.

WaterField is unveiling its new M2 MacBook Air sleeve today. To coincide with new M2 MacBook Air going up for pre-order this morning for the first time, as you might know from our coverage of the first price drop on the M2 MacBook Pro variant, WaterField has unleashed its latest magnetic sheath to provide a handcrafted home for your new Apple notebook. Now available for pre-order with a July 15, 2022 shipping date, you can get all of the details and a closer look at the new WaterField M2 MacBook Air sleeve down below. 

Focusrite unleashed its new Vocaster audio interfaces at the top of the month with a pair of podcasting-focused recording solutions for content creators. The Vocaster Two delivers a more full-featured setup with the trimmed-down Vocaster One providing a single microphone input and a more streamlined set of I/O. The latest solutions from Focusrite lean more towards spoken-word broadcasting, but feature a similar affordable approach that has made the brand’s Scarlet lineup of audio interfaces so popular among home music producers and the like. After having a chance to put the base model through its paces over the last few weeks, it’s time for our Focusrite Vocaster One review as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature. 

Legendary audio recording company Neve might have just unveiled the best USB audio interface out there. Responsible for engineering the recording desks and consoles many of the most iconic albums in history had the honor of being recorded on, Neve is unleashing is expertise (and world class pre-amps) on a home and portable interface known as the 88M. Delivering the “the legendary sound of AIR, Abbey Road and Capitol Studios into your home,” the new 88M might very well be one of the best USB audio interfaces on the market, just expect to pay a price that comes along with that moniker. More details below. 

Focusrite is unveiling its new podcast audio interface lineup today. The Vocaster One and Vocaster Two – alongside a series of studio packs that includes mics, headphones, and accessories – are specifically aimed at content creators and podcasters looking to introduce some sleek lightweight I/O to their production studios. A series of automatic tonal and input level adjustments highlight the feature set here next to the clean designs and rounded form factor. Head below for more details. 

After taking a hands-on look at the new FLKey for FL Studio last month, Novation is back with its new keyboard controller known as the Launchkey 88. This time around featuring the semi-weighted treatment, this is the latest addition to its already available lineup of more compact Launchkey controllers. The full-size 88-key MIDI keyboard delivers much of the same functionality as its smaller brethren in a larger more expansive frame so you can get two hands of more realistic piano-style action injected into your content creations and music productions. Head below for a closer look and more details. 

RODE has now unveiled its next-generation audio production studio for content creators. A direct follow-up to the original RODECaster Pro, the new RODECaster Pro II delivers an expanded all-in-one feature set for streamers, podcasters, and musicians complete with instrument inputs and microphone pre-amps, a multi-channel mixer, dual audio interfaces, integrated Bluetooth, and more. The RODECaster Pro II audio production studio for content creators is available for pre-order at select pro audio dealers like B&H. Head below for a closer look. 

OWC – known for everything from enterprise tech solutions to consumer storage and Apple gear accessories – is introducing its brand new mini SSD. Positioned as a “pocket-sized SSD with full-sized SSD performance,” the new OWC Envoy Pro mini is essentially a fully-featured solid-state drive that fits in a housing the size of a typical flash drive. Reaching impressive speeds with basically universal compatibility, it is designed to work with everything from the latest Apple gear right back to legacy devices from over the last 15 years as well as game consoles – it can even be configured as a boot drive. Head below for a closer look and more details on the new OWC Envoy Pro mini SSD. 

The new Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field has arrived. After debuting its hybrid TX-6 audio interface mixer and synth combo last month, the design team at Teenage Engineering has now unveiled its latest creation, the gorgeous new OP-1 Field. Saying its an updated version of the original OP-1 that took the boutique hardware synth world by storm years ago is accurate, but it’s also a serious understatement. TE has packed in “100 new features” leaving musicians, song makers, sound designers, and content creators with a beautiful and powerful new device that delivers a host of synthesizers and sampling engines, loads of built-in effects, a series of hardware recording options, enhanced version of its wacky and wonderful sequencers, and so much more. Get a closer look at the new Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field instrument and recorder below. 

IK Multimedia is out with a brand new camera audio interface today that can also be used for podcasting and other applications. The new iRig Pro Quattro I/O field recorder audio interface delivers four inputs alongside compatibility with video camera rigs as well as iOS and Android devices with a built-in microphone and some interesting tricks up its sleeve. The new hybrid camera audio interface and field recorder is now available for purchase, and you can get a closer look down below at the launch trailer. 

Teenage Engineering just introduced its latest creation, a portable audio interface and mixer known as the TX-6. The brand is well known for its quirky boutique tech products, not unlike the fantastic Pocket Operator synthesizers, the powerful OP-Z music maker and video sequencer, and the modular PO-series synths we reviewed previously. But its latest creation takes the wonderful Teenage Engineering creation prowess to a battery-powered portable sound mixer that doubles as an audio interface with six inputs, iOS compatibility, and loads of interesting tricks up its sleeve. Head below for a closer look. 

Incase is likely best known for its MacBook hardshell case products and iPhone 13 cases – the company has been featured in our best-of roundup for years. The brand claims to have released “the first hardshell case for MacBook,” and back in late February it unleashed its latest protection solutions for Apple’s 14- and 16-inch MacBooks with a sort of hard-plastic-dot, grid-textured model and the new Woolenex treatment on display in this review. We have recently had a chance to give the latter a run for its money, and now it’s time to weigh in as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys. 

SANDMARC is unleashing its lineup of leather Apple gear accessories today. Aptly named The Leather Collection, SANDMARC specializes in products for photographers, filmmakers, and travelers, but as we found out in our recent hands-on review of its gorgeous leather iPhone 13 case, it can also make some wonderful accessories for Apple users. After quite a lengthy process in the design lab over the last nine months, the brand is finally ready to unleash its latest leather sheaths and bands for all of the latest-generation Apple kit. Head below for a closer look. 

Today, Novation is unveiling its brand-new FL Studio keyboard controller. The new FLkey MIDI keyboards now join the rest of Novation’s controllers for music creators and beat makers with a series of dedicated features for Imagine Line’s popular FL Studio DAW. While specifically tailored for FL Studio hip-hip and EDM producers, it essentially allows anyone to get hands-on with their beats and sounds without having to rely on a mouse, much like its Launchpad grid controllers we explored after full Logic Pro support was rolled out. Designed to put FL Studio’s wonderful sequencer-based music creation ecosystem directly beneath your fingertips and to deliver an all-round MIDI keyboard experience for just about any DAW, we had a chance to go hands-on with the new FLkey ahead of release today to see what it was capable of. Head below for a closer look at our impressions of the new FL Studio keyboard controller in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys. 

Today the folks at ROLI are finally introducing the new Seaboard – the next generation of its brilliant expressive 5D touch music controller known as the Seaboard Rise 2. These kinds of instruments, limited as they are, can be a real treat to play and are subsequently quite expensive. The ROLI Seaboard Blocks device that released way back in 2017– a personal favorite of mine we had a chance to go hands-on with for review and something I still use to this day – brought all of this into a price range for the rest of us and has since become very hard to get your hands on at retail. And now, after what feels like an eternity, it’s finally time for ROLI to unveil the next generation Seaboard, unfortunately this one isn’t nearly as affordable. Head below for a closer look and more details on the new Seaboard Rise 2.

Today we are taking a closer look at PreSonus’ new affordable audio interface known as the AudioBox GO. After going hands-on with the brand’s new dynamic USB-C mic recently, we also had a chance to give the new AudioBox GO a run in the studio for a few weeks. Since it debuted last month as the recording brand’s entry-level recording I/O solution for your Mac, Windows and Chrome OS devices, as well as other Apple and Android gear (among other things), we thought it would be a good idea to give the inexpensive new audio interface a run for its money in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys entry. Head below for a closer look.

Update: Amazon is now offering the first decent discount on AKAI’s latest edition of its popular Professional MPK Mini Play MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller at $141.55 shipped. Be sure to clip the on-page coupon. While not the deepest discount, this is the best price we have tracked and essentially the first discount since its launch in March. The previous-generation version is currently sitting at $109. 

AKAI – one of our favorite MIDI and music gadget makers – has now introduced the new MPK Mini Play MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller. An update to one of the more popular options on the market, the new MPK Mini Play MK3’s OLED display is joined by loads of built-in drum patches and sounds alongside an updated keybed, battery-powered wireless operation, and much more. Head below for a closer look at the now available AKAI MPK Mini Play MK3. 

PreSonus unleashed its new Revelator Dynamic USB mic last month just after its entry-level AudioBox Go interface was unveiled. Looking to provide users with a high-quality dynamic solution for broadcasting, streaming, and music recording in one, we have had a chance to go hands-on with its latest in the Revelator lineup to see what it was made of. So head below for a closer look at our Revelator Dynamic USB mic review in the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

After seeing its new AudioBox GO interface at the top of the month, PreSonus is back at it again with the announcement of a dynamic USB-C microphone. Alongside the now available PreSonus Revelator Dynamic USB-C Microphone, the brand is also debuting a new desktop audio interface known as the Revelator io44 with a built-in streaming mixer. The new Revelator content creator audio gera is now available for purchase, and you can get more details on both down below. 

We are taking a look at the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook cases from Incase. Today, the brand is announcing its latest all-new Hardshell Dots and Textured Hardshell with Woolenex cases for Apple’s latest notebooks with injection-molded construction to keep your precious new MacBook safe and scratch-free. Now available directly from Incase, you can get more details and a closer look down below. 

PreSonus has now unveiled one of the most affordable audio interfaces out there with its new AudioBox GO. You will find some less expensive options out there from lesser-known brands or older models like this Behringer model from years ago, but when it comes to reputable audio companies with a pair of inputs for microphones and instruments, the AudioBox GO is certainly one of the lowest prices of entry around. The bus-powered I/O box is ready for portable and home studio setups with a respectable feature set for an $80 solution. Head below for more details and a closer look. 

Update: The new Positive Grid Spark mini Bluetooth speaker and guitar amp is now up for pre-order with a notable launch discount at $185. Regularly $229, Positive Grid says the discounts will be changing throughout the day, but it might not get any better than this. 

Today we are diving into our review of the Positive Grid RIFF guitar audio interface. Positive Grid is best known for its intelligent smart guitar amp products that offer instrumentalists a wonderful practice and recording setup tightly integrated with the brand’s wealth of high-tech jam-along and tone emulation software. The new RIFF interface packs much of this integration into a small audio interface for Mac, Windows, and iOS musicians at an even more affordable price tag. We featured the newly unveiled guitar USB interface at launch alongside a nice introductory price drop offer, but now it’s time to take a closer hands-on look in our Positive Grid RIFF review as part of the latest entry in the Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Amazon is now offering the Logitech Keys-to-Go Super-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard for $54.99 shipped in two styles. Normally fetching $70, you’re looking at a new all-time low of 21% off while marking the first notable price cut since launching last fall. Designed specifically for Apple devices, the Keys-to-Go arrives with a compact design reminiscent of the official Smart Keyboard with a super-light build and slim design. It pairs over Bluetooth to everything from your iPad and Mac to iPhone, Apple TV, and more, with a designated CMD button and up to 3-month battery life. Not to mention, there’s a full bar of media shortcuts and more at the top of adjusting volume, brightness, and more.

The latest model SanDisk Professional 2TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD protective hard drive is in the spotlight today. Solid-state portable solutions have become far more affordable than year’s past, but they still, for the most part, can’t quite compete with the per TB pricing on traditional hard drives. The G-DRIVE ArmorATD lineup offers up a rugged solution for content creators and more at a relatively affordable cost of entry, but are the far slower transfers speeds compared to that of its SSD brethren worth the savings? Are hard drives even still a worth while investment? Let’s see if the ArmorATD brings enough to the table in other aspects for it to be worth your time. Head below for our hands-on review of the latest-generation SanDisk Professional 2TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD protective hard drive

Positive Grid – maker of the Spark hybrid smart guitar amp – has now introduced a new guitar USB interface. Officially known as the RIFF, it is once again a combo device for musicians integrated with a broad range of software and emulation options that also works as a typical USB interface for Mac, PC, and iOS-based recording rigs. The sleek guitar pedal-looking interface is designed for use in the home studio and elsewhere with what appears to be a durable metal chassis. Head below for a closer look. 

The SanDisk Extreme Portable Solid-State Drive lineup has been considered to be the best portable SSD products out there by many for at least a few years now. The latest-generation V2 iterations come in a standard and PRO configurations with the main differences landing, for the most part, in the data transfer speeds and build material categories. Nonetheless, both models are easily among the best portable SSD solutions for just about anyone’s EDC, whether you’re a photographer, video-based content creator, or just someone looking for a high-quality solution for speedy backups and on-person storage – some folks even use them to store PS5 games and the like. But with a chance to go hands-on with the SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable Solid-State Drive V2 recently, I just had to get a closer look and finally put the seemingly best-in-class portable SSD lineup to the test for myself.

Australian audio company and microphone maker Rode is introducing its new on-camera mic with the latest addition to its VideoMic line. The new VideoMic Go II is designed with universal compatibility for cameras, smartphones, tablets, and computers while being designed to support a broad range of users from filmmakers and live-streaming broadcasters to content creators on TikTok and elsewhere, all without spending a fortune. Head below the fold for a closer look.

It’s time to take a look at the new Grovemade wood Apple keyboard trays. The first Grovemade release to kick off the new year offers up a gorgeous home for your latest-generation Touch ID Apple keyboard with a handmade walnut and maple wood treatment with wrist rests to match. These “distinguished” solutions certainly aren’t the most affordable out there, but they are certainly some of the prettiest. Head below for a closer look. 

Now that Christmas is just under two weeks away, each day that goes by will make it increasingly difficult to secure the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Last-minute shopping becomes even more problematic when factoring in any potential shipping delays. Technology is arguably one of the hardest-hit sectors, making it even more difficult to shop for this type of gear. Fear not, however, because this tech gift guide provides six suggestions that will be a pleasant surprise for just about any gadget lover out there. Continue reading to find a list of gear priced as low as $12.

Let’s take look at the best gifts for musicians, beat makers, audiophiles, and guitar geeks. It’s time for my annual lineup of options you (most likely) won’t find on those played-out boring lists that litter the internet every year. Most musicians already have what they need, or just want something that’s far too pricey for most folks to purchase as gifts. While you will find some options that are a bit more expensive than most would like this year, I’ve tried to include some gear that’s lesser-known, incredibly useful, and not something every musician and home producer already has. Hit the fold for our picks of the best gifts for musicians, beat makers, audio nerds, and guitar geeks. 

Update: The campaign is now live!

The Silicon Valley-based accessory maker HYPER is launching an updated version of its flagship HyperDrive USB-C hub for MacBook Pro today (should be live any minute now) known as the HyperDrive DUO PRO. This form-fitting, milled aluminum hub – an update to what HYPER refers to as “the world’s most crowdfunded USB-C hub” ever – brings the brand’s detail-focused, feature-rich design to Apple’s latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros while retaining compatibility with every other MacBook released from 2016 on. The original raised over $3.1 million during its crowdfunding campaign, and HYPER is launching the HyperDrive DUO PRO on Indiegogo today with a solid 50% price drop for early backers. Alongside a flawless track record with crowdfunded product launches, the company is scheduled to begin shipping its new USB-C Hub for MacBook Pro starting next month. Head below for a closer look at the new HyperDrive DUO PRO. 

After launching its biggest deals of the year for Cyber Monday (some of which are still live), Pad & Quill just dropped its brand new Valet Leather MacBook Bags for the 14 and 16-inch models. Now launching at $209 and $239 respectively, our special code (found below) will knock 15% off both size options so you can score a sweet deal and still have one under the tree in time for this year’s festivities. Free shipping is available on both and you’ll will want to jump below the fold to score the early launch deals. 

Hyper is back again today with its new HyperDrive – a double or triple 4K display dock for MacBook. “Ditch the dongles and get your dock on” with the new all-in-one USB-C hub that supports MacBooks ranging from way back in 2016 right up to the brand new 14 and 16-inch models. Hyper is looking to consolidate the multi-display hub experience for MacBook users with its unique new HD134 and HD156 models, for the 13/14-inch and 15/16-inch models respectively. Head below for a closer look and some early pre-sale discounts. 

Sceptre has unleashed a new UltraWide monitor just ahead of the holiday season. It’s the latest to join the Sceptre Nebula series and is headlined by a 34-inch display, 1000R curvature, USB-C connectivity, and more. Buyers can also expect a brightness level of 600 nits, an integrated ambient light sensor, in addition to a colorful LED light across the back. Its 3440 x 1440 resolution is paired with a 165Hz refresh rate and 1 millisecond response time. Continue reading for more details.

Today we discovered that Acer has added another monitor to vast portfolio of displays. This time around the company has opted to release an 29.5-inch UltraWide with an up to 200Hz refresh rate. The release belongs to the Acer Nitro XZ6 series, a refreshingly simplistic title given how complicated naming conventions tend to be in this product category. Standout features include a white frame, 21:9 aspect ratio, 1500R curvature, and support for AMD FreeSync Premium. Continue reading to learn more.

Hot on the heels of Apple’s newly announced laptops, we are taking a look at the just-released Pad & Quill M1 MacBook cases. Officially known as the Cartella Slim Case for M1 MacBook Pro, it is available for both the 14-inch and 16-inch M1 Pro and M1 Max models. These made-in-the-US cases are up for pre-order with a November shipping date and, best of all, are now 15% off with our exclusive discount code. 

HYPER is introducing the “world’s most powerful” 245W GaN Charger and 245W USB-C Battery Pack (27000mAh/100Wh) today. The brand previously introduced us to the “world’s first” 100W GaN USB-C charger as well as its HyperJuice 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand this past summer. Now it’s time to take a look at its new 245W GaN Charging Station and the accompanying USB-C Battery Pack. Head below for a closer look, availability details, and pre-sale discounts. 

Earlier today, Turtle Beach launched Neat Skyline, but the company has also opened pre-orders for two additional microphones: Neat King Bee II and Bumblebee II. Many would agree that both offerings benefit from a premium design that will look great in just about any stream. It doesn’t stop there, however, with both units sporting USB-C connectivity, “outstanding versatility,” and “zero latency.” Continue reading to learn more.

Ever since MagSafe made a comeback with iPhone 12, faster power adapters have become increasingly popular. Until now, 20W has been commonplace, but UGREEN is turning up the heat with an even faster solution at a similar price point. The new UGREEN 25W USB-C adapter features a compact design that is paired with foldable prongs to keep it as small as possible. Best of all, iPhone 13 and other smartphones should be able to utilize all of its power. Continue reading to learn more.