8 upgrades to make your old Apple gear feel new again
Macworld We all want the latest Apple device, but it’s just not realistic to upgrade every year–or every two, three, or four years. But no matter how old your Apple device is, it can always be augmented by a high-quality peripheral that adds extra functionality or fixes a problem that Apple hasn’t addressed yet. From protective cases to a color-accurate display, there are plenty of ways you can level up your Apple setup in 2026. We’ve rounded up a core selection of top product picks that have the potential to change your device. Upgrade your operation with any of these addons, and you’ll notice the difference right away. iPhone: A more protective case Let’s start with something simple: an iPhone case. Sure, Apple says its best iPhones are tougher than ever, thanks in part to their second-generation Ceramic Shield protection that wards off scratches and cracks. But in my humble opinion, that’s not enough. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m so clumsy that I don’t trust Apple’s built-in defenses to stand up to the abuse my iPhones face at the mercy of a butterfingers like me. Instead, I clad my phone in a sturdy case to keep it safe and sound. An iPhone case can make an older phone feel new.Thomas Bergbold I’m not a fan of all those angular, brutish cases that look like they stumbled out of a shoot for the next Rambo film. No, I want something that’ll keep things safe without looking obnoxious. For me, Apple’s own Silicone Case with MagSafe fits the bill. It looks sleek, supports MagSafe, and guards against slips and stumbles, too. Plus, the latest version is way less “sticky” than past editions of this case yet provides enough grip in the hand, meaning it’s easier to get out of your pocket and less likely to pick up lint. Mac: A better mouse Apple’s Magic Mouse is pretty iconic, and I love that its flat surface doubles up as a trackpad for macOS’s clever gestures. Yet not only is it lacking several key features found in rival mice, but its low-profile design can cause serious discomfort after an extended period of use. That’s no good for anyone who spends a decent amount of time sitting in front of their Mac. Logitech Instead, it’s a good idea to look for a much more comfortable mouse that still offers all the features you need. In my case, that’s been the Logitech Pro X Superlight 2. It comes with an ergonomic shape that fits neatly into my hand (and is suitable for most grip types), while it has enough customizable buttons without being overwhelming or cluttered. But perhaps its best feature is its incredibly low weight. That lets it glide around your mouse mat with ease and minimizes the strain on your hand and wrist, enabling you to use it for hours on end. Compared to Apple’s Magic Mouse, the difference is night and day. For more suggestions, refer to our picks for the best mouse and trackpad. Mac: A satisfying mechanical keyboard Alongside a mouse, a keyboard is one of the most important Mac peripherals you can get if you’re interested in comfort and ergonomics. While Apple offers decent keyboards, you can do much better by looking elsewhere. In particular, a mechanical keyboard will give you a much more satisfying typing feel while bringing extra features that Apple doesn’t offer. Picking from the enormous range of switches, layouts, keycaps, and connectivity options can be overwhelming, but thankfully, we’ve reviewed and rounded up all the best Mac keyboards money can buy to make your choice a little easier. The Keychron Q6 Max is one of the best keyboards that money can buy.Foundry My personal favorite is the Keychron Q6 Max, and it was our choice for the best Mac keyboard in 2025. Start using it and our reasoning is clear: every aspect is made to exacting standards and exudes quality, while it’s both quiet and comfortable in use with every key press. It doesn’t come cheap, but it’ll revolutionize your typing experience–ultimately, you’re paying for top-class excellence. If you get one, you’ll never want to go back to Apple’s Magic Keyboard again. iPhone: Higher fidelity audio One way that Apple’s devices have a clear advantage over their rivals is in the quality of their speakers. While most competitor devices push out weak, tinny sound, an iPhone, iPad, or Mac will blast you with high-quality audio right from the get-go. But even so, there are definitely times when a good set of speakers or headphones can take things even further. The Audio Pro C10 MK!! W is an excellent speaker for filling a room.Audio Pro The Audio Pro C10 MKII W–our pick for the best speaker for sound quality that money can buy–is a great option if you want to elevate your Apple listening experience, whether you’re streaming Apple Music from your iPhone or watching the latest series on Apple TV. A set of over-ear headphones, meanwhile, can increase immersion during movies and gaming sessions by bringing you closer to the action, surrounding you with sound, and shutting out external distractions. Right now, I’m using the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed headset, which is incredibly comfortable to wear all day and produces excellent audio, whatever I’m doing. Sure, they’re not audiophile grade, but they offer a great balance of price and quality. Find something similar, and you’ll have a much better audio experience. Mac: A comfortable desk chair Back in the bad old days, I sat at my desk with a cheap office chair that someone had donated to me. I knew it was no good, but it’s hard to argue with free, right? Well, I wish I had, because the chair was absolutely no good for my posture. Things completely changed when I purchased a better alternative in the form of the Secret Lab Titan Evo. This chair offers a wide range of support for your back, ensuring you sit comfortably at all times. As well as that, there are plenty of ergonomic adjustments, from the height and angle of the base to the position of the armrests. A good chair–like this Secret Lab Titan Evo–is often an overlooked investment.Titan Lab That’s important in allowing you to fine-tune the chair to fit your needs. Regardless of whether you get this particular chair, whichever option you choose should let you adjust its core elements to guarantee an ergonomic outcome. As with anything you spend a lot of time in–from your bed to your shoes–it makes sense to pay a little more for lasting quality. Your body will thank you later. Mac: A spacious external display Unless you’ve got a roomy 24-inch iMac, your Mac screen is probably a lot smaller than you’d like. MacBooks top out at 16 inches across, and while that’s fine in some cases, it can quickly make things feel awfully constrained. In cases like that, I’d recommend getting a sizeable external display to give you more space to play with. My own pick is Dell’s S2721DGF, a 27-inch screen with a 1440p resolution. That’s generally seen as the sweet spot for size and resolution (a 32-inch display with a 4K resolution is another favorite), and its 165Hz refresh rate grants it smooth motion in games and buttery scrolling everywhere else. It won’t be perfect for everyone–photographers will want a more color-accurate display with a higher resolution, for example–but it meets my needs perfectly well. It also solves the problem of laptop ergonomics. Back when I had that cheap desk chair, I also spent all day hunched over my MacBook, where its low-lying angle meant I had to use it with a painfully curved back. The combination was terrible for my comfort, but that was all eliminated when I combined a brand-new chair with an external monitor for my Mac. Apple’s Studio Display is a good choice, but you might be able to find comparable displays at lower prices.Foundry When everything is displayed through a standalone screen, not only does it greatly expand your work area, but it also allows you to put your content at a more comfortable position and adjust it to your needs. That’s a result you can’t underestimate. Check our guide to the best Mac monitors to help you find one that’s right for you. Mac: A dedicated backup drive We all know we should back up our Macs as often as possible, but you might feel that getting started is too much of a hassle. In reality, though, Apple makes it easy thanks to Time Machine, and all you need is an external drive to store your backups on. External drives come in a wide variety of capacities. An SSD is faster, but you can find hard drives at affordable prices.Foundry / Jon Jacobi Here, the world really is your oyster, and the drive you get depends on how much space you need and what you want to pay. Generally, you’ll want to get an SSD (solid-state drive) rather than an HDD (hard disk drive), as it’ll back up much faster, but an external HDD can offer significant savings. Whatever you opt for, you’ll be getting peace of mind that your files are safe should the worst happen to your Mac. Combine an external drive and backup app with a cloud backup service and you’ll be well protected against disaster. Mac: A faster USB-C dock These days, iPhones, iPads, and Macs prioritize Thunderbolt/USB-C ports over other ports. That’s great if you’ve got lots of USB-C accessories, but not everything connects to your device this way. Worse, many Macs are seriously constrained when it comes to the number of ports available. Rather than giving up on your external devices or settling for an uncomfortably low selection of ports and slots, it’s worth considering getting a USB-C hub or Thunderbolt dock. A USB-C hub can add a variety of extra ports to your Mac–I have the OWC USB-C Travel Dock E, for example, which has two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB-C port, an HDMI slot, an SD card reader, plus a Gigabit Ethernet connector. It’s just what I need to augment my Mac. The OWC USB-C Travel Dock E is small but offers a variety of ports.Thomas Bergbold A Thunderbolt dock, on the other hand, is generally a lot more powerful and comes with a broader selection of ports. While a USB-C hub can be powered by your Mac, a Thunderbolt dock usually needs to be powered from a wall socket. In return, they can often handle more external displays, support higher transfer rates, and charge your Mac faster. Many USB-C hubs work with mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad as well as the Mac, but be sure to check that both the hub and your peripherals work with your Apple kit before getting started.

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Give your OS a spring refresh with Windows 11 Pro for $13
Macworld TL;DR: Doing some spring cleaning? Your PC might need it too. Windows 11 Pro is just $12.97 right now. Spring cleaning usually means clearing out closets, donating old clothes, and finally tackling that junk drawer. But while you’re freshening up your home, it might be a good time to freshen up your PC, too. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for just $12.97 (reg. $199)—a surprisingly affordable way to give your computer a modern upgrade. Windows 11 Pro brings a cleaner interface, smarter multitasking tools, and stronger built-in security designed for today’s workloads. Features like Snap Layouts make it easier to organize multiple windows, while improved search and voice typing help you work faster without bouncing between apps. It also supports BitLocker encryption, TPM 2.0, and Smart App Control, helping protect your data and prevent unauthorized access. And if you like having a little AI help on hand, Microsoft Copilot is built right in. It can summarize webpages, assist with writing tasks, and even help tweak system settings. For less than the price of lunch, get Windows 11 Pro for just $12.97 (reg. $199). Microsoft Windows 11 ProSee Deal Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply. StackSocial prices subject to change.

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This tiny fingerprint 256GB SSD is ready for travel
Macworld TL;DR: This tiny fingerprint-secured 256GB SSD is $62.97 with free shipping. Spring and summer adventures usually mean one thing: a lot more photos, videos, and files piling up fast. Whether you’re traveling, shooting content, or just backing up important documents on the go, portable storage can make life a whole lot easier. Lucky for you, the iKlips S USB-C Nano Touch Fingerprint 256GB Portable SSD is available for $62.97 (reg. $89) with free shipping through March 22. At just 5 grams and barely larger than a thumbnail, this portable SSD packs serious capability. It delivers read speeds up to 450 MB/s, which means large files, videos, and photo libraries transfer quickly without waiting around. The iKlips S includes built-in fingerprint encryption, allowing up to 20 fingerprints for easy access while keeping your files protected. That’s especially useful if you’re storing sensitive work files or personal content while traveling. And thanks to USB-C plug-and-play compatibility, it works with iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux devices—no extra apps required. This ultra-compact SSD makes a surprisingly powerful companion. Get this iKlips S USB-C Nano Touch Fingerprint 256GB Portable SSD for $62.97 (reg. $89) with free shipping through March 22. iKlips S USB-C Nano Touch Fingerprint 256GB Portable SSDSee Deal Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply. StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Google preps a Gemini Mac app with smarter features
Google is testing a dedicated Gemini app for macOS internally. This could unlock deeper, system-level Gemini-powered AI features on the Mac. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Computer History Museum continues Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations with TechFest
Following last week’s fantastic Apple@50 panel, the Computer History Museum has announced “TechFest: Happy Birthday, Apple,” to be held on March 28. Here are the details. more…

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Google reveals another exploit chain affecting outdated iPhones
Following its recent disclosure of the Coruna exploit chain targeting older iOS versions, the company has now revealed a similar attack believed to be called DarkSword. Here are the details. more…

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When Face ID Helps iPhone Security—And When to Turn It Off
Heading to a protest or crossing a border? Your iPhone’s Face ID—which is normally a boon with Stolen Device Protection—could become a liability. Learn when to disable biometrics and what other steps you can take to protect your privacy and data from compelled access.

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When your iPhone says ‘storage full,’ do this instead of deleting
MacPaw's CleanMy®Phone frees up storage space on your iPhone by scanning for duplicate photos, massive videos, screenshots and more. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Sketchy iPhone Fold launch timing shared by analyst with shaky history
An analyst at Barclays believes that if the iPhone Fold launches in 2026, it will be in December, months after the iPhone 18 Pro. He's the only one saying this.iPhone Fold could launch in DecemberMany rumors point to the iPhone Fold launching in late 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, though no parts have leaked yet. It will be an incredibly expensive device and Apple's first attempt at a foldable.A note from Barclays analyst Tim Long, viewed by MacRumors suggests the iPhone Fold will release in December 2026. He offers no detail as to why it would come out three months after its announcement other than supply chain sources. Rumor Score: 🙄 Unlikely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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George R. R. Martin: Apple TV series ‘Murderbot’ is a great sci-fi adaptation
George R. R. Martin: posted on his "Not a Blog" about the Apple TV+ sci-fi series "Murderbot," and it's clear the quirky show won him over… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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AirTag 2 vs AirTag: Here’s everything new
Apple’s AirTag successor launched earlier this year, arriving five years after the original model. Here’s every feature that’s new and improved with AirTag 2. more…

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Report: Apple made roughly $900M from generative AI apps in 2025
Between January and August 2025, App Store revenue from generative AI apps nearly tripled, largely driven by ChatGPT subscriptions. Here are the details. more…

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Google finally bringing Gemini app to Mac after Apple partnership
As everyone waits for the new Apple Foundation Models trained by Gemini, Google is pushing ahead on bringing a native Gemini app to the Mac. It'll be similar to those offered by Anthropic and OpenAI.Macs could finally get a Gemini appApple and Google have always been uneasy partners. Google Maps predated Apple Maps on iPhone, and Google is always slow to adopt new Apple APIs in its apps.Some of that has shifted in Apple's favor since the Gemini partnership was announced. First, a native YouTube app was finally released on Apple Vision Pro, and now Gemini is getting a native app on Mac. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Rumor: iPhone Fold may launch months after iPhone 18 Pro
Apple is widely expected to unveil its first iPhone with a foldable display this year. However, the rumored iPhone Fold could actually launch months after the iPhone 18 Pro. more…

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Bloomberg: Google begins testing dedicated Gemini app for Mac
Mac users who prefer Gemini for their AI interactions might not have to wait much longer for a dedicated app. Bloomberg reports today that Google has quietly started beta testing an early version of a dedicated Gemini app for macOS with select users. more…

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Apple saw 23% jump in iPhone sales in China in early 2026
While China’s overall smartphone market saw a 4% decline in sales over the nine weeks from January to early March, Apple registered a 23% spike, according to a new Counterpoint Research report. Here are the details. more…

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iPhone isn't safe on old iOS anymore, update to at least iOS 15 now
All iPhone users running iOS 13 or iOS 14 need to update now. Apple has confirmed routine browsing can trigger attacks on outdated iOS versions.Apple advises iPhone users about iOS 15 updateApple revealed on March 19 that malicious web content can exploit older iOS versions and expose personal data through compromised sites or unsafe links. Apple released security updates on March 11 for both newer and older devices, including iOS 15.8.7 and iOS 16.7.15.Users on iOS 13 or iOS 14 should upgrade to iOS 15 to receive those protections. Updating iOS closes those gaps and protects against these web-based attacks. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple CEO Tim Cook rejects political labels, embraces President Trump’s ‘Made in America’ manufacturing push
Apple CEO Tim Cook is carefully avoiding political labels while strongly aligning his company with President Trump's “America First” agenda… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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iOS 26’s new Apple Maps feature has quickly become a favorite
Apple Maps in iOS 26 benefits from several new features, but the personal standout for me—Visited Places—has become a favorite for an unexpected reason. more…

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Apple finally fixes frustrating iPhone typing problem
Struggling with typing problems on your iPhone? It's not just you — and Apple has a fix that'll be here soon. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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