MacBook Pro 2021

No screen protectors or keyboard covers PLEASE! Otherwise we'll see you back here in six months asking if the damage they cause is covered under warranty.

Many screen protectors' materal or adhesives will premanently damage the anti-glare coating on Mac notebooks screens, and keyboard covers rub the coatings as well.

Some perspective: Any damage to the screen requires replacing the entire sealed display assembly. Costs reported here for parts and labor run US$ 500-650! Some protection, right?

Apple specifically warns about keyboard covers:

Using a camera cover, palm rest, or keyboard cover on a Mac notebook - Apple Support

1: Which accessories are up to you, and your needs and expectations and budget… Some possibilities…

• Carry case or folio or sleeve or other protective storage
• spare charger and charging cable if you have a second location where you plan to use the MacBook Pro.
• external display, keyboard, and/or mouse/trackpad
• external hard disk for Time Machine backups; either local USB or network-connected NAS with Time Machine support
• HomePod / AirPods / Beats Fit Pro / etc
• USB-C to USB-A adapter
• external dock; whether Brydge Stone or many other choices, etc
• Printer
• external digitizer or an iPad with pencil to use as a graphics input device and/or extended display
• etc

2: Keyboard covers and screen protectors can cause problems, per Apple:

… Using a camera cover, palm rest, or keyboard cover on a Mac notebook - Apple Support

I’d consider slapping any hand caught reaching toward the display, too.

For the MacBook Pro itself… I would specify 16 GB memory minimally (and possibly more or much more, depending on your usage plans) and as much or more internal storage as you will expect to use over the lifetime of the MacBook Pro (apps and macOS and our own data usage all tend to increase), as internal memory and internal storage cannot be upgraded after purchase. Going cheaper at purchase time tends to shorten the useful lifetime, or increase the storage management effort required, or both,

I don't have anything to "protect" mine. But what has come in really handy has been a USB-C to x4 USB-A 3.0 hub. It came with a USB-C port to USB-A 2.0 adapter, although I haven't really used it for anything other than testing it out. Also a wireless mouse. I use an older Logitech M325 which has a USB-A receiver and that uses one of the ports of the hub.. I like this and similar ones (like an M317 or their "Design Series") from Logitech, although you may have a different preference. It's also useful for connecting USB-A flash drives, printers, etc. where USB-A is still ubiquitous and where they're less expensive.

Another would be a backup drive. Some prefer hard drives, but I set mine up with a USB3.0 enclosure, a micro USB 3.0 to USB-C cable (purchased separately), and a 1 TB SanDisk SSD Plus. The drive itself may not be the highest performance, but I like it because it doesn't make all those little hard drive noises.

I bought another oddball hub, but my wife is using it on her Intel Mac. It's USB-C to one USB-A 2.0 (that gets a wireless mouse receiver) port, one USB-A 3.0 port, a SD/microSD card reader, and an HDMI port (her's doesn't have a native one but can use a USB-C to HDMI conversion cable. I probably don't need all that with mine since I have a native HDMI port and SD card reader, but it would still be useful if I needed it.

Maybe a USB-C to USB-A adapter. I have about five different ones that all cost less than $5 each (or came as part of a set). One would be useful if you needed to use an Apple USB SuperDrive. Those don't work with the majority of hubs.

Get a case or folio or sleeve of carrying bag if you want or need that. Lots of options. Tom Bihn and Blackbrook makes some very nice laptop bags, though very much not cheap. eBags has nice stuff. There are many vendors here.

I’d stay away from the available adhesive skins or wraps, as a Mac sheds its residual heat through its case.

A screen protector can potentially damage the screen from the adhesive. ⚠️

The best accessory is the Apple Polishing Cloth.