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My M1 iMac Accessories | Best Accessories for new iMac

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The reviews are out, and the 24-inch M1 iMac is pretty good, which means it isn’t perfect, and a few things can make it even better. Out of the box you get everything: the computer (processor, GPU and memory in one package), a beautiful class-leading 24-inch 4.5K display that almost no third-party display can match, speakers, microphones, a camera, and a keyboard and mouse. Here’s what can upgrade the experience, starting with the one thing I think you should keep.

Keep the Magic Keyboard

It’s much the same as the last few years, but it’s my favorite to type on: slightly different from the others, quiet enough, and I prefer the compact size of the regular version. New with the iMac: color matching, and the new function keys for search, dictation and Do Not Disturb (the best one: I leave it on all the time so my Mac doesn’t alert me whenever I disconnect an external drive). With the upgraded iMac, or if you upgrade the keyboard on the base model, you get Touch ID, a breath of fresh air for a desktop Mac.

Mouse and trackpad

Instead of the Magic Mouse, I think the Logitech MX Master 3 is far superior, and I’ve used it most of the last year. It’s more ergonomic and less fatiguing, and the non-Mac version works with an RF dongle or Bluetooth and up to three devices. The top scroll wheel switches between clicky and free-scrolling (flick and it keeps going); the side wheel scrolls horizontally (and swipes away notifications or archives mail in some apps); and there are customizable buttons (I use them for back and forward) and a function button for macOS gestures like Mission Control. On the other side, I keep a Magic Trackpad, to rest my right hand or use both together to zoom or switch apps. Apple makes the best trackpads.

A dock: CalDigit TS3 Plus

The iMac has a couple of Thunderbolt and USB-C ports, depending on the model. The CalDigit TS3 Plus adds 15 ports over a single cable: five USB-A, two USB-C, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, an SD card slot and audio in and out. It brings back the USB and SD slots Apple removed.

Storage

If you don’t want Apple’s SSD prices, there are plenty of options: USB or USB-C SSDs like the CalDigit Tuff Nano or Samsung T7 use 10 Gbps USB and often give more than 700 MB/s reads, fast enough for almost anything: a music or photo library, long-term storage or active projects. For the fastest, look at a Thunderbolt drive like the OWC Envoy Pro FX, which beat three other Thunderbolt drives on M1 Macs in my testing, with read speeds about 4 times faster than a USB SSD, and which was the most consistent, holding speed during long reads and writes while others slowed as they heated up.

Speakers: Kanto YU2

The iMac’s new speakers sound really good (clear, with two force-canceling woofers per side you can’t feel) but small. For more oomph, the Kanto YU2: 25 W each, a 3-inch woofer and 3/4-inch tweeter, miles ahead of anything built into an all-in-one. They connect through a USB DAC, so you can adjust the volume with the Mac’s controls, and the right speaker connects with regular speaker wire so you can place them as far apart as you want. At around $240, they sound fantastic.

A second display

The M1 iMac supports a single external display. The Samsung UR55 is a decent 28-inch IPS 4K panel at around $350 or less on sale, which works well with the iMac’s 4.5K display, connected by DisplayPort through the TS3 Plus (HDMI also works). It isn’t as bright and doesn’t have P3, but with some changes (like bringing down the red), the two look close for everyday use, with tiny bezels and a small chin. Its stand isn’t adjustable, so I attached it to a cheap monitor arm.

A stand

Apple still doesn’t offer a height-adjustable iMac stand, and if you’re over about 5’6”, you’ll be hunched over. The Kalibri bamboo stand raises the iMac about 3.75 inches, is about 20 inches wide and 9 deep, and at 5’6” it puts my eyes in the top third of the screen, so I sit up straighter. The space underneath is perfect for a Thunderbolt dock and external storage.

What accessories do you use with your iMac, and what else should I be using? If you’re deciding between the base and mid-tier iMac, see my comparison.

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small commission. See my ethics statement.

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