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Last chance: This 2TB portable SSD holds all your data for less than $35

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This external hard drive works great.
This no-frills external hard drive is on sale.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Cloud storage is great, but like any technology, it has a time and place. When you want guaranteed storage that doesn’t require an internet connection to access, what you really need is a good external drive.

This 2TB portable SSD keeps your data close and your devices unclogged. And for a limited time, it costs just $34.99.

BTW, that price is so unbelievably low that this SSD quickly sold out the last two times we offered it. But it’s back in stock now … while supplies (and this deal) last!

Who needs HDMI? This gadget connects Mac or iPad to TV wirelessly [Review] ★★★★☆

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Who needs HDMI? This gadget connects Mac or iPad to TV wirelessly★★★★☆
Don't use a cable when the plug-and-play EZCast Pocket is so much more convenient.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

EZCast Pocket lets a range of computers connect wirelessly to an external display. No additional software is needed — it’s very nearly as easy to use as a cable, but without the cable clutter.

I tested the affordable and very portable wireless video adapter in my home and on a business trip. Here are its strengths and occasional weaknesses.

Connect 3 displays to any Mac with these new docking stations

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Connect 3 displays to any Mac with these new docking stations
The Plugable UD-768PDZ (at left) and UD-3900PDH are USB-C docks that add up to three external displays to a Mac.
Photo: Plugable

Plugable expanded its product line with two new triple display USB-C docking stations. These can add three screens even to Macs that are ordinarily limited to one external monitor.

The UD-3900PDH and UD-768PDZ docks also feature additional ports, including USB-A, Ethernet and SD card readers.

These tiny robots are actually a charger and a Bluetooth speaker

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Power your devices with GravaStar Alpha65
This mecha is really a 65W three-port charger for your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
Photo: GravaStar

There’s no reason your USB-C charger has to be dull. Rather than being the usual white or black box, GravaStar’s Alpha65 looks like a miniature robot. But it really is a 65W charger with multiple USB ports.

And the company’s Supernova is both a Bluetooth speaker and a portable lantern even though it looks like a mini mecha.

OWC’s new high-speed Thunderbolt dock takes 11 useful ports on the road [Review] ★★★★

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OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock review★★★★
OWC's latest dock includes Thunderbolt 4 ports plus USB-A, HDMI and more.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock was designed to be taken on trips, which is unusual for a hub that uses this extremely fast connection standard. While portable, it still has room for eleven ports in a range useful types, including Thunderbolt 4 (of course), USB-A, HDMI, USB-C and more.

I put the dock through a series of real-world tests to see how well it performs.

Rugged Samsung SSD expands to 4TB of storage

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Rugged Samsung SSD expands to 4TB of storage
Take 4TB of additional storage wherever you go with this tough SSD.
Photo: Samsung/Cult of Mac

The Samsung T7 Shield rugged SSD launched in 2022 with a maximum of 2TB of capacity and is now available with twice that.

T7 Shield is a a credit-card size external SSD intended for outdoor content creators or travelers. It works with Mac and iPad plus a wide variety of devices.

Use an iPhone as a Mac webcam with new Belkin mount

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Use an iPhone as a Mac webcam with new Belkin mount
Mac desktops can easily take advantage of Continuity Camera thanks to a new Belkin iPhone mount.
Photo: Belkin/Apple

Continuity Camera in macOS Ventura upgrades video calls by bringing the iPhone’s high-res camera to the Mac. It’s necessary to mount the iPhone on the computer though, but Belkin has just what’s needed for desktop Macs.

The accessory-maker released a very similar iPhone mount designed for MacBooks this fall.

This rugged mouse will conquer your multicomputer setup [Review] ★★★★

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This rugged mouse will conquer your multicomputer setup [Review]★★★★
The rugged Zagg Pro Mouse mouse pairs with multiple computers and charges wirelessly.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Your iMac, MacBook and iPad can easily share the Zagg Pro Mouse. With the press of a button, the rugged Bluetooth mouse switches between multiple computers. As a bonus, the accessory supports wireless charging.

I tested it in my multicomputer office for a couple of weeks. Here’s what it’s like to use every day.

Charge Apple devices from almost any power source with this 5-in-1 multiport cable [Review] ★★★★☆

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Charge your Apple devices from almost any power source with this 6-in-1 multiport cable★★★★☆
Never find yourself without an iPhone charger if you add inCharge X to your keychain.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

It’s happened to all of us. Your iPhone battery is on empty and there are plenty of chargers around but no Lightning cable. The same thing can happen with a iPad and even a Mac. The inCharge X from Rolling Square is just what you need. It’s tiny enough for you to take it everywhere, but adaptable enough to enable almost any type of Apple device to get power from almost any charger.

Rolling Square also makes inCharge X Max, which is just as flexible but with a 5-foot cable built in.

I tested both. Here’s why I think they’re brilliant.