Judie and I first met when we were doing a podcast. She had already started Gear Diary, and I was a staff writer from Just Another Mobile Monday. A few weeks ago, Judie was on a friend’s podcast. She sounded great but commented that she needed a better podcasting setup. I told her one piece of it should be the Blue Designs Compass.
We’ve reviewed dozens of external batteries here on Gear Diary but few have offered the combination of simplicity, power and understated elegance of the mophie powerstation USB-C XXL. This external battery was made with the most recent MacBooks in mind but is also quite friendly with devices that employ a USB-C connector. Of course, USB-A is still present as well.
I’ve reviewed a wide range go neckband-style headphones but none quite like the Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC. Designed for business, the Voyager 6200 UC is a Bluetooth headset with premium features that make it as ideal for work as it is for play. Great sound and impressive battery life are just the beginning with these pricey but impressive headphones.
A cable is just a cable. Right? Wrong. As Nomad’s cables prove, spending a bit more on a high-quality cable makes a huge difference. Nomad cables are rugged and come in a variety of types that includes a universal cable which works with just about everything. Their new $39.95 USB-C cable is an example of what makes Nomad cables great.
All car chargers are alike. Right? Wrong. Just as different USB wall chargers can push out varying amps of power, so can car chargers. The Oneadaptr EVRI 45W USB-C Car Charger has a Type-C port that is powerful enough to charge your MacBook while it charges your mobile device.
We’ve reviewed quite a few charging stations, but never one that offered four Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 ports and a USB-C port that supports Power Delivery 2.0 Quick charge. With the Oneadaptr EVRI USB-C Charging Station, you can charge your latest-gen iPhone or iPad Pro up to two or three times faster with a USB-C to Lightning cable.
Mophie has become a leader in designing truly high quality and innovative battery packs, but until now they’ve never come out with one that could charge your laptop on the go. The new Powerstation AC has been designed to fully charge a MacBook, as well as an assortment of other devices.
Incipio is extending its line of external batteries with the new offGRID Turbo and offGRID Turbo+ USB-C universal and USB-C integrated portable power banks. I’ve used previous iterations of the offGRID line They’re durable, easy to use and a great addition to any gear bag. I have no doubt the same will be true with these new offerings.
I love my 2017 13” MacBook Pro. Most of the time it’s docked to my BenQ PD2710QC 27” monitor. When I take it with me, however, I want to know it will be ready to use whenever I need it. Incase’s new IconConnected Power Sleeve for MacBook Pro solves this thanks to its integrated power supply and USB-C charging capabilities.
One of the saddest parts about purchasing one of Apple’s most recent MacBooks is that the company was so forward-thinking in terms of USB Type-C, they completely forgot that some of their more popular devices are still bound by Lightning and standard USB. As a result, customers have to live what’s been long considered “the dongle life”.
If you could choose only one battery pack for your next long haul flight, the mophie powerstation AC should probably be it. Mophie’s powerstation AC is a high-capacity external battery with AC power as well as USB-C PD fast charging for laptops, tablets, smartphones. You heard that right, this is a battery pack that’s powerful enough to charge all your devices, and your laptop too.
My current home computing setup includes a 13” MacBook Pro connected to two 27” monitors. They look great and get the job done. But there is little that compares to the Dell UP2718Q 27” 4K HDR Monitor. With amazing resolution and remarkable color accuracy, it is a monitor built for professionals. It’s truly impressive with a price to match.
If you’re in the market for a pair of desktop speakers that are easy to set up and use, connect in both wired and wireless modes, sound good, and won’t break the bank, check out the Logitech MX Sound Premium Bluetooth Speakers. No, they aren’t for audiophiles, but for sound and ease-of-use at your desk, they will blow you away.
I’m a huge fan of WaterField products and use them pretty much every day. So, when I write that the new WaterField Air Porter and Air Caddy are among the best products they have delivered, I mean it. Still, I can’t help but wonder if WaterField Waterfield isn’t making a mistake with these latest offerings.
My home office got a ton better when the BenQ PD2710QC 27” QHD Designer Monitor arrived for review. It is a gorgeous monitor in its own right, but that’s not what makes this computer accessory so special. No, what makes this monitor special is the fact that it is both a great monitor and a powerful laptop dock.
If you are a huge fan of carrying your MacBook Pro around on a daily basis, chances are you may be without one accessory that is truly a must-have in every situation: A carrying case. If this sounds like you, then you should check out the Laptop Sleeve Bag by ATailorBird.
My new MacBook Pro is thin and light and, with just two USB-C ports, is lacking in ports. My iMac does better but still lacks the degree of port-related connectivity I used to have. That’s why the $299 OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a perfect fit; it offers a ton of ports and speeds that were unimaginable a few years ago.
If you’ve got an iPhone, or one of the newer Android phones, a MacBook, or many of the newer Windows computers, then you need all of the USB Type-C cables you can get your hands on. When you’re ready to upgrade to the best, Nomad has you covered with their new Universal Cable and 4-in-1 USB C Cable.
The LandingZone has announced what they call “the most powerful Apple MacBook docking station to-date.” It just might be. This new docking station offers an oh-so-awesome 16 different ports and can turn your MacBook Pro with Touch Bar into a powerful workstation. At $299 it is pricey, but the added functionality is unparalleled if you want an impressive desktop computer.
When Logitech set out to create a new keyboard, they took nothing for granted. They used premium materials, designed the keys for comfortable, quick typing, added a host of useful specialty keys and then went a bit further. In this case, “further” means a special input dial that, over time, will become increasingly useful.
When I travel for business I need a bag that can transport my suits and deliver them at my destination wrinkle-free. When, however, I an traveling for pleasure, I don’t need to think about taking suits. In such cases I need something that holds a ton and is easy to carry. That’s where the TIMBUK2 Wander Pack comes in.