Mac gift ideas under $100
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For the Mac or MacBook Pro users in your life, there are several holiday gift ideas, each costing less than $100.
The sales are in full swing this holiday season, and it's time to decide what gifts you are going to buy. With the abundance of technology available for purchase online, you have a huge amount of choice.
If the person you're buying for is a Mac user, here are AppleInsider's best suggestions on what to buy. All of these offers are also $100 or less, so none of them will break the bank.
Apple Magic Keyboard
While Apple hardware is desirable, most people only think of a Mac themselves and not any of the accessories. One thing you can do for a recipient who owns a Mac is to gift them an Apple Magic Keyboard.
Apple Magic Keyboard
This wireless rechargeable keyboard automatically connects to your Mac and provides comfortable and accurate typing in a very low profile. It also uses a braided USB-C to Lightning cable to recharge when it needs a little more power.
The Apple Magic Keyboard is available for $94 at B&H and Amazon.com.
Apple Magic Mouse
If you buy them a keyboard, you can find the right mouse. The Apple Magic Mouse is a wireless, rechargeable cursor mover that captures the classic Apple aesthetic.
Apple Magic Mouse
In addition to having a battery that lasts for a month and automatic Bluetooth pairing, it also comes with a multi-touch surface so you can easily swipe and scroll through documents.
The Apple Magic Mouse is available from Amazon for $71.99 and also from BHPhotoVideo.com.
Wacom Intuos Medium Bluetooth Graphics Tablet
Avid artists can do more than a mouse when it comes to digital inking. That's where Wacom steps in with its Intuos drawing tablet. In the price range we're looking at, you could opt for a smaller tablet, but a mid-sized tablet provides much-needed drawing space.
Wacom Intuos Medium Bluetooth Pen Tablet
Offering 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, Intuos connects via Bluetooth and USB to your Mac and comes with a stylus with three interchangeable tips. Along with drawing, there are four ExpressKeys to launch features, and trials are included for a variety of art and educational packages.
The Wacom Intuos Medium Bluetooth Pen Tablet is available at Amazon and B&H for $99.95.
Satechi Type-C Stand & Hub for Mac mini
Everyone can get a little more connectivity, and while you can get a docking station, the Satechi Type-C Stand & The Hub does the same, but it's perfect for the Mac mini. The stack saves space, which other docks do not exactly claim.
Satechi Type-C Stand & Hub for Mac mini
When connected to one of the Thunderbolt ports on the back of the Stand & The Hub offers a range of connectivity options including three USB-A ports, a USB-C data port, a headphone jack, and SD and microSD card readers. There's also space inside so you can install an M.2 SATA SSD, discretely expanding your Mac's storage.
Satechi Type-C stand & The M.2 SATA SSD Hub for Mac mini is available from B&H for $79.99. Alternatively, readers can order from Amazon for $99.99.
Brydge Vertical Docking Stand
For owners of 2019 or 2020 16″ MacBook Pro, please note to the vertical dock from Brydge. If they're using their MacBook Pro closed and connected to a monitor and peripherals, this stand will save space by placing a 16-inch MacBook Pro on the end of it.
Brydge Vertical Docking Stand
Moreover, by inserting your MacBook Pro into the docking station, you will also connect two Thunderbolt ports to the pair at the back of the stand. This means users can prepare their desk for work and connect it to their MacBook Pro by simply inserting it into the stand.
The Brydge Vertical Docking Stand is available from Amazon for $49.99.
1TB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
Storage can often be an issue for Mac users, and since you can't update the internals of most models, you must think outside. That means getting a drive that plugs into your Mac's ports, and AppleInsider has a good option with the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD series.
1TB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
The 1TB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a great USB-C drive with read speeds up to 1050MB /With. and a write speed of 1000 MB/s. It's also hard-wearing, able to withstand drops, spills and dust thanks to its IP55 rating, and it even has a loop for use with a carabiner.
The 1TB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is available from Amazon and B&H for $99.99.
Sabrent Dual Bay USB 3.1 Hard Drive Dock
For data hoarders who have stacks of drives used for archiving, give them a break and streamline their workflow with the Sabrent Dock USB 3.1 for hard drives with two SATA bays. . Looks like a hard drive toaster: you just plug it into a USB Type-C port, slot for 3.5″ and 2.5″ SATA hard drives or SSDs, and open the drives on your Mac.
Sabrent USB 3.1 2-Bay Hard Drive Dock
Depending on the connected drive, transfer rates can be as high as 10Gbps, but actual use is that it's an easy way to plug in a drive, access it, and then eject it to switch to another. And all this without placing disks in cases.
The Sabrent USB 3.1 Dual Bay Dock is available at Amazon for $49.99.
