Computer Accessories

PowerA, Hori, PDP, and others have become viable brands to turn to when Nintendo-branded controllers are out of stock, priced too high, or for a variety of other reasons. But even these offerings tend to be made solely with Nintendo Switch in mind and leave other platforms in the dust. This is where 8Bitdo steps into frame. The company has made a name for itself by supporting a wide range of platforms while also delivering a nice selection retro-themed controllers. 8Bitdo Sn30 Pro Gray Edition is the brand’s latest release, and it’s now available for pre-order. Continue reading to learn more.

Today we are taking a look at the new Twelve South MagicBridge Extended. Twelve South — one of our favorite Apple gear accessory makers — is out with a new extended MagicBridge today to combine your full-size Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 into one integrated unit. While the standard MagicBridge has been around for a while, the new MagicBridge Extended variant is releasing today to accomodate the over-sized Apple Magic Keyboard with the numeric keypad hanging off one side. Head below for a closer look. 

LG has made a name for itself in the monitor manufacturing space. Even Apple teamed up with the company to sell tailor-made displays. The latest LG 4K Monitor is now up for grabs and packs a plethora of handy and noteworthy features. When it comes to I/O, buyers stand to benefit from 96-watt passthrough charging over USB Type-C in addition to a selection of HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-A inputs. The 27-inch screen supports HDR 400 with DCI-P3 95% Color Gamut, making it a solid choice for creatives. Gamers may also be intrigued given built-in support for AMD FreeSync. Continue reading to learn more.

Ocean Technology LLC (99% positive lifetime feedback) via Amazon is offering the Unitek M.2 NVMe Solid-State Driver Enclosure for $17.99 Prime shipped with the code 9NQWYELD and when you clip the on-page coupon. Today’s deal saves you 40% from its normal going rate and marks the best price that we’ve tracked all-time. If you’re looking for the best on-the-go portable storage, NVMe SSDs are a perfect choice. You’ll enjoy blazing-fast read and wrizte speeds of up to 1GB/s and it is essentially impervious to bumps, drops, and other hazards, which used to plague mechanical hard drives. Plus, it’s USB-C, meaning you won’t have to use dongles to connect it to Apple’s latest computers. Rated 4.1/5 stars.

You’re reading Tested with gadgetnewsonline, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.

We previously took a hands-on look at the new Bellroy iPhone 12 lineup of cases, and today, it’s time to review the new antimicrobial MacBook sleeve. We have started to see more and more brands introduce some kind of antimicrobial tech to their lineups of Apple gear accessories, and Belloroy is doing much of the same with a new family of gear featuring Swiss-engineered HeiQ V-Block — protection for fabrics against contamination from microbes — as well as a new Basalt colorway. Hit the jump for our latest Tested with gadgetnewsonline.

M-Audio is unveiling its new weighted keyboard controller known as the Hammer 88 Pro. As the name suggests, it is the pro-version follow-up to its already feature-rich Hammer 88 model with a focus on “musicians everywhere that want real piano feel.” It combines a real piano-feel key bed with what M-Audio refers to as auto-mapping and an OLED display. Anyone looking to bring a hardcore MIDI controller home for their Mac and recording setup will want to take a closer look here. More details below. 

Today we are taking a look at the new USB-C podcasting microphone from Marantz — a brand best known for its hi-fi and high-end professional audio gear. While it has already released USB mics in the past, the new MPM-4000U Podcast Mic marks the first time it has released one specifically marketed to podcasters and the like. It lands in the mid-tier price range, features some interesting onboard mixing capabilities, and is now available for purchase. Head below for a closer look. 

Satechi is expanding its stable of aluminum Apple accessories today with a new entry into its collection of USB-C hubs. The latest model packs much of the signature Satechi design and quality we’ve come to expect from the brand, but delivers one of its most versatile selections of I/O to date. Head below for a closer look at the new Satechi Multiport Adapter and all of the details on locking in a launch discount.

Today, Crucial, a well-known brand in the computer storage and component industry, is launching a brand-new portable solid-state drive lineup. The Crucial X6 series of portable SSDs offer storage ranging from 500GB to 4TB with incredible prices, given what they offer. Compatible with both macOS and Windows, these portable SSDs feature up to up to 800MB/s transfer speeds, 6.5-foot drop protection, and ship with a 3-year limited warranty. What all can these drives handle and how much will they cost? Keep reading to learn more.

While Thunderbolt 4 isn’t faster than its predecessor, it does aim to offer improved performance overall while maintaining backwards compatibility. Lenovo unveiled ThinkVision P40w earlier today, and the company has dubbed it as “the world’s first Intel AMT capable Thunderbolt 4 monitor.” The display spans 39.7 inches and doubles as an impressive hub comprised of 12 ports. Standouts include two Thunderbolt 4 ports for data, video, and network passthrough, alongside 100W charging support. The aspect ratio works out to 21:9 and is accompanied by a 5120 x 2160 WUHD screen resolution. Continue reading to learn more.

Today we are taking our first look at the new JLab Talk USB microphones. The brand is taking its expertise in the affordable audio gear space into the world of USB microphones with three new models known as Talk Go, Talk, and Talk Pro. Starting at $49, these new mics enter as a great choice for folks looking to up their recording quality from built-in solutions at an affordable rate. Head below for a closer look. 

Solid State Logic just launched its brand-new UF8 Advanced Studio DAW Controller. Designed to handle your entire digital audio workstation, this controller is built to leverage displays, faders, and more for the best control available during audio production. Coming with eight channels from the factory, you can expand up to 32-channels should the need arise by daisy-chaining multiple UF8’s together. What all can the Solid State Logic UF8 do? Well, keep reading to find out.

Amazon currently offers the LG 32UD60-B 27-inch 4K Monitor for $349.99 shipped. Having dropped from $500, today’s offer amounts to 30% in savings, marks the best we’ve seen in nearly a year, and comes within $3 of the low set last February. Delivering 27-inches of screen real estate, this 4K LG monitor also comes equipped with 95% of the DCI-P3 color range to ensure to can handle creative work. Plus, AMD FreeSync support also allows for it to upgrade your battlestation. Both HDMI and DisplayPort inputs round out the package. Over 370 customers have left a 4.5/5 star rating and you can head below for more from $227.

The latest lineup of controllers from Alesis carries one of the more affordable mini MIDI keyboards out there alongside updated versions of its Q-series 49- and 88-key models. All compatible with Mac/PC as well as iOS devices, the new Q mini MIDI keyboard is the real highlight here, offering up a particularly capable package and even more affordable price tag. Head below for a closer look. 

Just on the tail end of CES 2021 and ahead of this month’s winter NAMM show, IK Multimedia is introducing the new UNO Synth Pro. Available in two form factors with Mac/PC and mobile device connectivity, the new flagship synth expands just about every aspect of the previously released UNO Synth with a host of new features, routing possibilities, and more. Head below for a closer look. 

Today, Plugable is launching its latest USB-C hub with an even more compact design than several of its past releases. Debuting with a 7-in-1 design, this portable hub brings a bevy of ports to your Mac, Chromebook, and more with a durable metal housing and more. Head below for a closer look at the new Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C Hub and for all of the details on scoring a launch discount.

Today, Western Digital is updating its portable SSD lineup to include 4TB capacities in multiple products. You’ll find the SanDisk Extreme Pro, Extreme, WD_BLACK P50 Game Drive, and the My Passport updated here with multiple different options and specs. Pricing for these new 4TB drives start at $680, but keep reading to find out all the details on these four new drives.

OWC is starting off the year by launching its latest Mac peripherals, this time geared towards Apple’s latest M1 machines. Headlined by its very first Thunderbolt 4 dock, OWC has a stable of new hubs and accessories on the way for upgrading your workstation. Head below for a closer look at the new OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock and everything else on the way.

Today, Satechi is expanding its collection of Apple accessories with a refreshed multi-angle iPad stand and four backlight keyboards. Sporting the brand’s signature aluminum designs, the new desktop peripherals look to expand your Apple workstation. Head below for a closer look at the new unveils and how to take advantage of a launch discount.

Sonnet, a leader in external Thunderbolt 3 devices, just announced the launch of its new eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500XT and eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5700. Both of these devices are replacing the previous-generation RX 560 and RX 570 eGPUs, though this still isn’t the latest-and-greatest AMD has to offer. However, one new feature that these models tout is compatibility with Apple’s Pro Display XDR and other 6K monitors.

Now that the holidays are in the rear view mirror, we’re continuing with one of our annual traditions here at gadgetnewsonline, Write-Off Week. With the year just about over, time is running out make some last-minute purchases for you to deduct from 2020’s taxes. So whether you just started working from home for the first time or are looking to renovate an aging setup, now is a great time to lock in some new, tax deductible gear to write off in April. Head below the hold for all of our favorite Write-off Week deals.

Today we are taking a closer look at the UGREEN X-Kit — the “world’s first” portable laptop stand with an integrated 5-in-1 USB hub built-in. The X-Kit laptop stand provides an attractive home for your laptops and tablets with a focus on portability and expanding your device’s I/O via a unique fold-up design. Head below for a closer at our hands-in video and more details on the UGREEN X-Kit. 

After seeing the launch of its 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 dock back in November, Plugable is looking to close out the year with the debut of yet another new Mac and PC accessory. This time around, there are some upgraded specs like 100W passthrough charging alongside the ability to drive two 4K 60Hz monitors and more. Head below for a closer look at the Plugable 100W Thunderbolt 3 Dock and all the details on locking in a launch discount on the new release.

Hyper today announced the launch of a hybrid USB-C hub that aims to satisfy the charging and external display needs of Nintendo Switch, MacBook, and iPad users. The new HyperDrive Power Hub wields four ports made up of USB-A, Type-C, and HDMI. Using a single USB-C cable, it can both deliver 60 watts of power and output to an external 4K display at 60 frames per second. This technology fits in a package, which Hyper touts as being “smaller than a deck of cards.” Today’s release joins an ever-growing list of Hyper products. Continue reading to learn more.

Today, we are taking a look at the new PreSonus Revelator USB Mic for Mac, iOS, Android, and Windows. PreSonus is well-known in both the professional and home recording space for everything from mixing systems and control surfaces to audio interfaces, speakers, and more, but today, the brand is stepping into the home USB mic space. Backed by a host of interesting software-based features, head below for a closer look at the new Revelator USB Mic. 

If the move to Apple Silicon has you eyeing one of the latest MacBooks, you may want to pair your purchase with a case of some sort. Thankfully a fresh Incase Slip Sleeve has dropped today and it features PerformaKnit fabric which is said to provide a “strong, protective barrier” between your shiny new MacBook and whatever it may accidentally come in contact with. There are a few styles to pick from and Incase’s new release works with Apple’s new and existing portable computers. Continue reading to learn more.

Just on the heels on Apple announcing the first Silicon Mac models, Pad & Quill is now offering big savings on its 2020 Aria leather MacBook cases. Available for both the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air (as well as similarly sized 2018, 2019, and 2020 models), the Pad & Quill Aria cases wrap your precious Apple laptop in a full-grain leather book-style cover and are now available at 15% off. Head below for more details. 

Today, Plugable is launching its latest work-from-home upgrade in the form of a new 96W Thunderbolt 3 dock. Debuting as a 14-in-1 solution to turn your MacBook or laptop into a desktop workstation, the brand’s latest offering delivers 96W passthrough as well as a bevy of ports. Head below for all the details including pricing and availability, as well as how you can take advantage of a launch discount.

Earlier today Belkin took the wraps off a couple of new gadgets. One joins its BOOST↑CHARGE lineup of accessories while the other delivers smart outdoor power outlets. BOOST↑CHARGE PRO comes out swinging at the competition with claims of being the smallest 60W charger on the market. Meanwhile, the new Wemo WiFi Outdoor Smart Plug touts an IP44 weatherproof rating with support for Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. Continue reading to learn more.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Grovemade, makers of some of the best premium desk accessories out there, is introducing its new Wood MacBook Dock today with special launch pricing. The new MacBook holder features an American wood finish with stainless steel, felt, and natural cork accents to provide your precious laptop with a worthy dock to house it. All of the details can be found below along with the Wood MacBook Dock introductory pricing.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Plugable is finally launching a Thunderbolt 3 dock that packs 85W of USB-C Power Delivery charging. The TBT3-UD1-85W, as it’s affectionally called, will offer quite a few perks for those on Windows or Mac who need a high-end Thunderbolt 3 dock. You’ll find multiple USB-A 3.0 ports, an extra Thunderbolt 3 hookup, a front-facing USB-C plug, and much more here, all delivering a high-end single-cable workstation solution for $200.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Roland is introducing three new drum machines to its TR and Roland Boutique series today, highlighted by the new TR-6S. While one is a software-based version of Roland’s modernized vintage drum boxes, the other two are new portable hardware offerings with MIDI/USB connections for your Mac or PC. The TR-series has been a staple in music production for decades — arguably the series of machines that popularized electronic drum programming — and have in many ways defined the sound of some of the biggest genres over the years (hip-hop, dance, electronic, pop, and more). Hit the jump for more details.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Plugable, a well-known brand around here, just launched its latest USB-C multiport Adapter. It offers the ability to hook up an iPad or MacBook to a monitor and a few peripherals, making it super easy to work from home.

Expand
Expanding
Close

IK Multimedia is launching its AXE I/O SOLO today. The new bus-powered USB audio interface for Mac and PC was teased earlier this year at NAMM and is a direct follow-up to the larger AXE I/O interface that launched in January. The new SOLO model maintains much of the standout feature set and technology found in the original while providing a more affordable and portable solution. Head below for a closer look.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Just 3-weeks after OWC debuted a bus-powered Thunderbolt NVMe enclosure, the company is back at it again. This time around, it is adding the Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock to the OWC lineup — a fresh offering that turns one port into five. Two HDMI inputs make it simple to plug in dual displays, and there’s enough power here for both to operate at 4K60. Like the NVMe enclosure referenced above, this unit is also bus-powered, meaning you won’t need to plug it into anything more than a Thunderbolt-ready PC or Mac. Continue reading to learn more.

Expand
Expanding
Close

OWC is well-known for its high-end storage solutions. Announced back at CES 2020, the ThunderBay Flex 8 is a powerful storage solution that offers Thunderbolt 3 RAID storage, docking, and PCIe expansion in one slim package. That’s right, it can hold up to eight drives, acts as an I/O dock, and even sports a PCIe x16 expansion slot, plus it can charge at up to 85W, all through a single cable.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Even if you weren’t alive or old enough to utilize Apple’s Macintosh M0100 mouse in its heyday, there’s still something warm and inviting about bringing its vintage design into the current era. Thankfully GREEN HOUSE Click is on the horizon and not only does it pay homage to the age-old M0100, it manages to modernize the design by cutting the cord in favor of offering wireless connectivity. The GREEN HOUSE Click Wireless Mouse mimics a single button design, but caters to modern times with a second button in tow. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand
Expanding
Close

When it comes to Thunderbolt 3 solid state drives, pricing tends to be much higher than those that stick with slower USB 3.x speeds. Thankfully a new solution dubbed OWC Envoy Express is here to turn up the heat on competition while allowing consumers to affordably embrace blazing-fast performance. As “the world’s first Thunderbolt-certified bus-powered” enclosure, OWC Envoy Express operates using a single cable and owners can upgrade to larger NVMe storage as their needs change. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Anker’s latest PowerExpand USB-C Docking Station is designed with mobile users in mind. It offers 45W of USB-C Power Delivery, 4K HDMI and DisplayPort, SD, Gigabit Ethernet, and much more. Whether you’re wanting to transform your Mac mini, MacBook, iPad Pro, or Windows-based laptop that has USB-C, this dock is a fantastic option for all.

Expand
Expanding
Close

These days aesthetics play a large roll in many home offices. Unfortunately a work area can look fantastic, but can still lead to neck, shoulder, and back pain due to bad ergonomics. Thankfully a sleek, new LG Ergo monitor is here to save the day with a plethora of features bound to grab many Mac and PC users’ attention. This comes on the same day that Samsung opened up pre-orders for its latest gaming displays, but LG Ergo differentiates itself with a highly-flexible C-Clamp mount that’s ready to attach to almost any desk. Continue reading to learn more.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Today Plugable is expanding its collection of USB-C accessories with a new line of flat adapters. Designed to be more lightweight and durable than other options you’ll find on the market, the four new dongles allow you to expand a Mac or PC’s I/O with Gigabit Ethernet, 4K HDMI, DisplayPort, and even VGA. Head below for all the details including pricing and availability, as well as how you can take advantage of a launch discount.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Jammy Instruments introduced the world to its next generation MIDI guitar controller this week. After launching on Kickstarter and hitting the pledge goal of $50,000 within about an hour, the new Jammy EVO is well on its way to becoming a reality. After successfully launching the previous-generation version, Jammy is back again with an updated feature set, USB-C connectivity, and sweet plug-in for your music recording software.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Back at CES 2020, Samsung unveiled a handful of new portable solid-state drives, including a selection of sleek touch-enabled options. While the high-end drives with touch security have already hit the market to much excitement, Samsung’s new and more affordable options, are available for purchase today as well. The T7 line of portable SSDs arrives in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities in your choice of bright colors. They are also quite a bit less expensive than its more tech-laden siblings. Hit the jump for full details on the latest storage release from Samsung.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Hot on the heels of Plugable’s latest Thunderbolt 3 Dock, Cable Matters has now unveiled an all-new hybrid offering. Unlike the company’s other Thunderbolt 3 docks, this model also supports PCs and Chromebooks that only have 10Gbps USB-C. The latest Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 dock can run up to two 4K displays at 60Hz using a single cable. While performing that task using two DisplayPort inputs, users will also have access to I/O ranging from USB-C and USB-A to 3.5mm and Gigabit Ethernet. Continue reading to learn more.

Expand
Expanding
Close