Multi-port USB hub clamps to monitor and iMac
I've tested several products from Satechi and the tech company is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. They seem to have a consistent line of simple but innovative products, designed to help people do everyday computer chores.
The latest is a four-port USB 3.0 clamp hub, which you might think is no big deal, but it's how the hub is designed that is key.
You don't lay it on your desk or put it anywhere that might be hard to reach, which is what I love about it.
Just connect the included USB cable to an open port on your computer and the other end to the hub -- typical plug and play. The cool part is how the hub can clamp onto the front of your monitor and iMacs released in 2012 or later, which match perfectly with the brushed aluminum construction. Just turn a screw to open it up for the right fight and then turn it the other way for tightening it up.
There's rubber padding on both inside edges of the clamp so it won't scratch your monitor and an extra set of padding is included.
There's no need for an AC adapter, it gets all the power it needs via USB. A blue LED on the front shows when it's powered up.
Satechi.net $27.99
Twelve South is another company with innovative products, the latest being the ParcSlope, a hybrid desktop stand for Apple MacBook Pro and Air laptops.
Like everything else the company makes, it's Apple-esque in design. The stand is designed to hold the 11, 13, and 15-inch laptops while putting the keyboard at the proper ergonomic level; 18-degree angle for comfortable typing.
The design incorporates ridges, angles and a front cutaway to perfectly match the Apple laptops so they open and close with ease.
Other features include cable management through the back of the stand and 360-degrees of air circulation to keep your machine running cool.
TwelveSouth.com $49.99
I'm not much of a gamer anymore but when products like the Kingston HyperX Cloud II pro gaming headset hit my desk, I'm on the verge of getting hooked again.
They are packed with features including 7.1 surround sound, a digitally enhanced mic, a premium USB sound card and pure Hi-Fi 35mm drivers built into each ear cup.
One key to the headset is it has both a USB and a 3.5 mm connection for the bendable microphone and cords to connect to tablets, smartphones or computers. It can also attach directly to gaming controllers including Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
On one of the included cords is an in-line controller for volume and microphone.
The padded headband and ear cups are comfortable and you get an extra set of felt ear cups. Whichever feels more comfortable is the one you use; in my case I liked the felt. As a whole, the headset construction is solid as is the sound.
I didn't even know Kingston made headphones until a company rep showed me the tiny print showing Kingston's name on the bottom of the box.
Kingston.com $99.99
The PureTEK Roll-On kit is a seamless way to add a glass screen protector to a smartphone without having an annoying bubble right in the middle.
What makes it unique is you get a kit specific to your smartphone model, which holds it perfectly in place in the application tray while the ultra clear flexible glass is rolled on.
The glass finish is smooth, resists fingerprints, shatterproof and is anti-scratch.
The system is available for iPhone, Galaxy, LG, HTC and many more smartphone models so just check the PureGear site for a complete list.
Pure-gear.com prices start at $24.99
Gregg Ellman, gadget guru, can be reached at greggellman@mac.com. Follow him on Twitter @greggellman.
This story was originally published February 26, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Multi-port USB hub clamps to monitor and iMac ."