After selling my performance Windows PC to a buddy of mine, I decided it was time to trade up from the 14-inch MacBook Pro I had to a more powerful 16-inch MacBook Pro, and my decision was made even more concrete when my need coincided with the release of Apple’s new M4 Pro/Max line of MacBook Pros at the end of October.
Since investing in a 2024 model year 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 Max chip, I’ve had no regrets, and I plan to hold on to this computer for some time to come. I often use it in clamshell mode, docked up to a large external display. But I enjoy the flexibility of a notebook because sometimes I want to use my computer in a room besides my office.
Because my 16-inch MacBook Pro is such an important tool to me, I wanted to share some of my favorite accessories that I use with it almost every single day, just in case you were searching for adequate accessories for a similarly sized MacBook Pro of your own.
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My favorite 16-inch MacBook Pro Accessories
Dell UltraSharp 40-inch Curved U4025QW 5K Monitor
At the top of my list is the display I use to enjoy my MacBook Pro to its fullest every time I begin working or decide to fire up a game. The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW monitor sports an incredible 5K resolution of (5120 x 2160) with a respectable pixel density of 140ppi and a 120hz refresh rate. For all intents and purposes, it’s just as clear as a retina display, especially from a safe viewing distance on my FlexiSpot standing computer desk.
With its ultra-wide 40-inch physique, I can easily put windows side-by-side, which is perfect for my profession as a writer. It allows me to put my word processor side-by-side with any content I’m working on without even a slightly overlapped window, making for a comfortable viewing experience as I work. Moreover, it’s ideal for photo editing, as I can drag and drop files from one window to the next with ease.
Perhaps the most unassuming part of this monitor is the built-in Thunderbolt 3 hub. This not only works as the video input from my 16-inch MacBook Pro, but it also powers the computer. The hub on the back of the monitor offers DisplayPort and HDMI ports, USB-A and USB-C ports, Thunderbolt 3 ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an Ethernet port. There’s even a front-facing USB-A & USB-C port hub that tucks into the monitor when not in use. That said, it makes attaching peripherals a breeze.
You don’t need an M4 Max chip to drive this behemoth of a display, but I will say that the high number of GPU cores in this chip keep up with it quite well, especially when I fire up a game in ultra-high graphical detail with those higher refresh rates. You’ll also appreciate the IPS Black panel, which helps this monitor replicate deeper darks for greater image quality without using OLED technology.
The Dell UltraSharp 40-inch Curved U4025QW 5K Monitor can be had from Amazon for $1,449.99, which several hundred d0llars less than from Dell’s own website.
CalDigit Element 5 Hub
When it comes to I/O, especially with respect to highly expandable ports like the Thunderbolt ports found on modern Macs, it makes sense to invest in a dock or hub or some sort so that you maximize the number of ports you can access at your workstation.
My preference is the CalDigit Element 5 Hub because it offers so much in such a small footprint. With its Thunderbolt 5 and USB4 connectivity, you can experience 120Gb/s bandwidth on a modern MacBook Pro split between 9 ports, including:
- 3x USB-A
- 4x Thunderbolt 5
- 2x USB4
Among those, one port delivers constant power to your computer so that you don’t need to use a wall wart AC adapter from Apple, and it also doubles as the data connection that lets you run external displays, external storage devices, peripherals, and more.
Unlike previous docks, the Element 5 Hub is so incredibly compact that you barely notice it’s even there. Even the AC adapter is more compact than previous versions, helping reduce its footprint in your office.
We should also note that the USB-A and USB-C ports deliver power in addition to data, so you can charge your smaller devices from the Element 5 Hub even when you’re charging your computer.
And as for displays, Element 5 Hub supports triple displays on Windows machines and dual displays on macOS machines, up to dual 4K@240hz.
If you’re interested in a CalDigit Element 5 Hub, then you can pick one up from the brand’s website for $249, which is $50 off the normal retail price.
TwelveSouth BookArc Flex
As I mentioned earlier, I prefer to use my 16-inch MacBook Pro in clamshell mode with my desktop peripherals whenever possible, and TwelveSouth’s BookArc Flex is such a useful utility for cleaning up the desk space when you do this, as it holds my MacBook Pro vertically instead of having to lay it horizontally. This makes more room for other items on my desk.
You can mount your MacBook Pro either with the Apple logo appearing upside-down or properly right-side-up. Often, I prefer mounting upside-down since heat rises and the ventilation for the MacBook Pro’s active cooling system are found on the rear of the case. I find that I can more effectively control the computer’s thermals when I mount the 16-inch MacBook Pro this way rather than having the heat fire down at my desk.
I’m fond of not only how the TwelveSouth BookArc Flex looks when on my desk, but also how securely it holds the MacBook Pro. Using a scissor-like suspension mechanism with rubber feet, the BookArc Flex pinches whatever you place inside of it, and the more the item weighs, the tighter the pinch will be. With that in mind, it holds the hefty 16-inch MacBook Pro with a proud and sturdy grip to ensure it doesn’t tip over.
Because of the minimal footprint of the TwelveSouth BookArc Flex, all ports on the MacBook Pro remain fully accessible, including all the Thunderbolt 4 ports that I use to attach my USB-C and Thunderbolt accessories. This includes the Dell monitor above, as well as solid state drives that I load up while partaking in photography and data cables when it comes time to back up my iPhone or iPad.
If you’re interested in something that not only makes your desk space look clean and professional, but that also functionally improves your desktop-like setup while using your 16-inch MacBook Pro, then I would highly recommend checking out the TwelveSouth BookArc Flex stand. You can find one in black, chrome, or white, depending on your design preference.
The TwelveSouth BookArc Flex stand can be had from Amazon for $37.26, which is a modest discount from the typical $50 price that you’ll find on the TwelveSouth website.
Incase Compact Sleeve with Woolenex
While I use my 16-inch MacBook Pro as a desktop host most of the time, the fact remains that it’s very much a portable laptop. Rather than going out into the elements without any sort of protection, I carry my computer in a protective Incase Compact Sleeve with Woolenex.
Let me just say that I’m a huge sucker for smooth zippers, and Incase has incorporated some of the smoothest zippers I’ve ever used into these compact sleeves. The Woolenex interior is another major advantage, as it has a soft velvety feel that cradles the exterior of my 16-inch MacBook Pro so carefully as not to leave any scuffs or markings.
Speaking of protection, the sleeve is heavily padded as well, so I’m confident that I could actually drop this sleeve on the ground without doing any substantial damage to my computer. Not that I would condone going out and trying this… of course.
The case also features a separate front pocket with another of those slick zipper systems, which although I often leave it empty to keep the sleeve as slim as possible, I have used it for storing things like Thunderbolt 4 cables and slim solid state drives. If I find myself needing a mouse, I’ve even tucked a super slim Microsoft Arc Mouse in there.
The Incase Compact Sleeve with Woolenex can be had from Amazon for $39.95 and is available in either Graphite (like mine) or Heather Navy blue. Incase is out of stock of these on their website, as they appear to be transitioning to a newer material.
SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 Thunderbolt 3 SSD
Being able to quickly load and offload large files to and from my 16-inch MacBook Pro in what seems like an instant is an extremely valuable capability, especially for me because I like to play photographer every now and again and my Sony A1 ii with its 50-megapixel high-resolution sensor captures massive RAW files that exceed 100MB apiece.
For this requirement, I trust in the SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 Thunderbolt 3 SSD. I have two of the 2TB units because they were on sale once, but they now have a 4TB high-capacity option that could meld those two solid state drives into a single unit.
With its incredibly small size footprint and its built-in Thunderbolt 3 file transfer capabilities, even the largest of video or photo files appear to transfer to and from my 16-inch MacBook Pro in what seems like the blink of an eye. Gone are the days of slow data transfer speeds, and that’s a good thing considering how the evolution of technology means that files just aren’t small anymore.
You can rest assured that some minor scuffs or bumps won’t faze the SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 Thunderbolt 3 SSD because it features a subtle rubber bumper around the edges that provides shock protection.
The 4TB SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 Thunderbolt 3 SSD can be had from Amazon for $342.76, but you can also get the 2TB version for as little as $274.99 or the 1TB version for as little as $174.99. Note that the prices on these SSDs change frequently and that stocks vary as they’re a particularly popular item.
Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Cable
While I tend to stick with first-party Apple accessories for certain things, one exception is with Thunderbolt cables, which are particularly expensive from Apple. Thankfully, Satechi’s 1-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable appears to be built with the same impeccable build quality as Apple’s Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable with its braided cable and other rugged design factors.
Satechi’s Thunderbolt 4 cable features metal plug housings and anti-kink materials that guard the cable from unwanted bends, tangles, and frays. Moreover, it supports up to 240W of power delivery, which makes it a perfect candidate for charging the power-hungry 16-inch MacBook Pro.
As with all Thunderbolt 4 cables, you can expect a blazing-fast 40Gbps transfer speed as well as enough bandwidth to power an 8K external display. The cable is also backward compatible with USB 2-4 and Thunderbolt 2-3 standards.
The Satechi 1-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable can be had from Amazon for $39.99.
mophie powerstation pro AC
Being able to power my MacBook Pro, whether I’ve decided to take it out of my home office or because the power at home went out, is an important capability to me. That’s why I always keep a backup battery on or about my workspace.
I trust mophie’s powerstation pro AC for this task because it contains a juicy 27,000mAh internal battery and provides all the I/O I could ever need. With its USB-C and USB-C ports, I can plug in my MacBook Pro as well as other smaller electronics and keep them charged up when there isn’t a power socket nearby.
And for trickier devices that don’t charge with USB, this battery pack includes a built-in three-prong AC port that can deliver up to 100W of power to various electronics. The AC adapter is conveniently built in to the battery pack itself, ensuring a portable and powerful charging experience while on the go.
The mophie powerstation pro AC can be had from Amazon for $164.29.
FlexiSpot E7 Plus 4-Leg Standing Desk
It’s important to have a workspace where you can use all your fancy peripherals with your 16-inch MacBook Pro, and rather than using a TV tray food stand at the couch, I recommend investing in a quality desk. For me, the FlexiSpot E7 Plus 4-Leg Standing Desk checks all those boxes.
Available in a slew of different sizes and colors, I opted for the 5-foot-wide Walnut Veneers chipboard desk material and the black motorized legs. With the integrated dual electric motors, you can easily adjust the height of the desk to fit either a standing or sitting profile, and it is sturdy enough to support at least 400 pounds and operate like there was nothing on top.
This table size is perfect for fitting my monstrously wide Dell UltraSharp 40-inch Curved U4025QW Monitor, along with a set of desk speakers, my TwelveSouth BookArc, a microphone, and some other doodads. Your mileage may vary, but with all the different table lengths available, it’s almost certain that there will be one that’s right for you.
More than just different size options, you can also pick more ergonomic desk options that offer a front-facing chamfer for wrist comfort or an option with storage drawers that give you more places to store your unused items so they’re ready for you in just a moment’s notice. You can also outfit your desk with optional upgrades, such as underbelly cable organizers, plug sockets, and drawers.
I love this desk, not only because of how it looks and its spaciousness, but also because I can choose to work in a standing position if I want to. There are proven health benefits to standing versus sitting, so when I choose to work on my feet, I’m doing myself a long-term favor that I think gets overlooked by a lot of people who sit at a computer for hours.
FlexiSpot’s E7 Plus 4-Leg Standing Desk can be had from the brand’s website for as little as $629.99, but the price ranges depending on the table size and accessories you choose to add.
Apple Magic Keyboard
I’ve used a lot of keyboards with my computers over the years, but I always returned to using Apple’s first-party Magic Keyboard for one particularly important reason: support for Touch ID.
Apple’s Magic Keyboard is just as good as the keyboard that comes stock on my MacBook Pro, and if you’ve ever used a MacBook Pro keyboard before, then you know the keyboard begins showing heavy signs of use after only just a few months as your fingers wear down the textured finish of each of its keys, causing them to look shiny.
Because of this, I like to use my MacBook Pro in clamshell mode and I consider the Magic Keyboard to be a disposable part that I can simply replace at some point in the future while my MacBook Pro stays in like-new condition for optimal resale value. This works well with my use case, as I have an external display to go along with it.
But aside from that, the Touch ID integration is particularly important to me, as it makes entering passwords, making purchases, and downloading apps easier than it would be if I had to enter my password manually every time as I would have to do with a third-party keyboard.
I still use the Lightning version of Apple’s Magic Keyboard, but the company now sells a USB-C-based version that provides the same user experience, and I plan to upgrade to it the very next time I need a new keyboard.
Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad is available for $199 from Amazon.
Apple Magic Trackpad
Going right alongside my Apple Magic Keyboard is my Apple Magic Trackpad, and I love this thing merely because it looks and feels just like the award-winning massive trackpad that already comes built into my 16-inch MacBook Pro. Because of this, every single multi-touch gesture feels just as natural on the Magic Trackpad as it would on the MacBook Pro itself.
I opted for the Magic Trackpad over using a Magic Mouse because I despise the Magic Mouse’s ergonomics and where its charging port is placed. The Magic Trackpad, on the other hand, has a sensibly placed charging port just where you’d expect it: on the back facing your computer.
I could have gone with a third-party mouse from brands like Logitech or Razer, but I’ve always felt these mouses have a cheaper PC-like feel to them that doesn’t fully encapsulate the Apple device user experience. Apple has always stepped up with superior industrial design, using materials that feel just as premium as the device you’re using them with.
Against, I’m using a Lightning version of Apple’s Magic Trackpad, but since the company now sells a USB-C based version with the same user experience, I plan to upgrade to that one whenever mine breaks (which might be never).
Apple’s Magic Trackpad can be had from Amazon for $149.
Wrapping up
There is no perfect list of accessories because everyone uses their computer differently, but these are just some of the things that I use the most frequently with my 2024 model year 16-inch MacBook Pro. With a little luck, perhaps at least one of these items will help enrich your 16-inch MacBook Pro usage and improve your workflow.
What accessories do you like to use with your MacBook Pro? Let us know in the comments section down below.
