CoolerMaster's description is effusive: 'crafted from A-grade aluminium, the L-Stand is designed to embrace your MacBook with all the care possible! That's right, if you've got a MacBook you can't just leave it on the desk when it's connected to a Thunderbolt display, your laptop needs to be coddled and cosseted.
Verdict The L-Stand may appear, at first glance, rather stark but it will grow on you. It improves air flow around your Mac too. Web: www.coolermaster.com
Windows or Mac; iOS or Android? Choosing what kind of device to tuck under your arm while treading the corridor carpets used to be choice enough. These days, you need to work that bit harder. If you want to mark yourself out as somebody to be seen with, you need to pick the right case for your treasured device.
Verdict Treat your MacBook Air to this handcrafted, pebble grain leather case. It's thin, svelte and a thing of unapologetic loveliness. Web: www.toffeecases.com
When the .net team travels, it's like a branch of Dixons going on tour. We don't believe in travelling light when it comes to technology and wires. If you're cast from a similar mould, the Travel Bud should sound like the perfect companion. It's a universal wall socket adapter that will let you work in a hotel room anywhere in the world.
Verdict Simple, cheap and effective the Travel Bud is a must for any traveller. Its makers claim it works in over 180 cities around the world. Web: www.kanexlive.com
This is one clever device. At its most basic, it adds missing ports to your Windows or Mac laptop. Plug it into a USB port and you'll get a slew of connectors ranging from more USB ports through to sound and video outputs. The device also boasts Wormhole technology. Essentially, it lets you control and copy files between two machines.
Verdict Undeniably the ability to link two machines together and control them from one keyboard is very clever — and useful, too. Web: www.j5create.com
Wi-Fi can be fickle. In one room you may get a strong and reliable signal. Step a few metres away and you may as well be in the Middle Ages. This device works as a repeater station that boosts the available signal and hopefully cures any lingering connection issues. Plug it into an available wall socket and go.
Verdict If you can't cure Wi-Fi problems by swapping channels, this device is a solid buy. It's good value and easy to configure. Web: tp-link.com
The common iPad is great for consuming content but try and type an email on it and you'll soon go looking for a laptop. The FastFit Bluetooth keyboard looks to salve this gripe. It's a case (which doubles as a stand) with a keyboard built into it. To use it you'll need to turn Bluetooth on in your tablet's settings.
Verdict Discounting the fact that using a keyboard on an iPad feels weird, this setup is light, smart, well designed and comfortable. Web: www.belkin.com
Wireless N used to be the bee's knees when it came to Wi-Fi speed and range. Everything changes and now 802.nac claims to be the new champion, boasting theoretical speeds of up to 1GB/s. Packing Quality of Service, DNLA compatibility, dual-band support and USB ports, the Belkin looks like a real cracker.
Verdict This is just a router, so you'll need to connect it to your modem. That aside it's a well designed piece of kit. Web: www.belkin.com
A metal box? No. There's more to the HiRise than meets the eye. It's a deceptively clever piece of design that is intended to elevate your iMac or Apple Display to the optimum height (the screen's top should be inline with your eye). It offers six height settings and also offers hidden storage for external drives and cables.
Verdict This is clever design, aping Apple's signatures successfully. The HiRise also makes working with your machine more comfortable. Web: www.twelvesouth.com
