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Apple Computer Accessories

Apple computers are not the most compatible ones on the market, mostly because of the exclusive operating system they use, the MAC OS X. To be on the safe side, it’s best to use accessories approved by Apple (MAC OS X compatibility logo), or accessories directly from an Apple store. The most popular Apple computer accessory is the Apple Magic Mouse that doubles as a touchpad. Despite its shape, it shouldn’t be called a mouse, because it doesn’t have the standard functions of a mouse, for example it doesn’t have any buttons. Buttons are what make the computer’s input devices extremely precise. Standard, mechanical keyboards and mice with buttons give the user a very important part of the input process, the reaction. As you press a mouse button (or a keyboard key) you start by touching it, you feel that your fingertip is on the button, you press down, feel it when it stops and comes back up when you let it go. This part of the experience is completely wiped out by the Apple Magic Mouse and some less-known projected keyboards that don’t have any moving parts. The Apple Magic Mouse costs $70, and it works exclusively with Apple computers: iMac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini and MacBooks.
Apple’s keyboards on the other hand are 100% practical. While making aluminum keys as slim as possible Apple really succeeded in improving a computer accessory that was beginning to evolve in the wrong way, decreasing productivity. It doesn’t really matter that it’s wireless, because the most important thing about it is its compact size and friendly touch. Apple found the best compromise between the completely flat keyboard and the impractical 1-2cm high keys. The very slim keys also make it possible to use keyboard skins, protective silicone covers that stay on the keyboard all the time, and offer a smoother, much comfortable typing experience.

This very stylish and practical keyboard comes at the same price as the Magic Mouse, $70, but it’s importance in much greater, because it’s compatible with the recently released iPad that desperately needed a keyboard for typing that’s not mounted on the dock in a fixed angle. Another very popular Apple computer accessory is the AirPort Extreme Base Station:

This is a much more expensive accessory for Apple computers, it costs $180, but it really incorporates all the important functions that such a device should have. Besides the standard WAN port for DSL or cable modem and three LAN ports for three computers, this little shiny box has a USB port that’s specifically designed for attaching external hard drives that can be shared over the wireless and wired network, and also through the internet if you’re a MobileMe member and you’re using Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard. This function alone represents the biggest difference between the Apple product and any other wireless router (with USB port), most of which don’t really guarantee that a specific type of storage device will work properly. Some discomfort is created by the incorporated antenna, because it can’t be maneuvered to improve signal strength (and direction) as external antennas, so you may run into difficulties as the distance increases between the base station and the Mac computer. Please note that this is one of the few Apple computer accessories that’s not exclusively designed for Macs, but any IBM compatible PC may connect to it.