A multiport adapter would do, here's one from Anker:

amazon.com/Anker-Upgraded-Delivery-Pixelbook-A83460A2/dp/B07ZVKTP53

I got Kensington SD2500T docking station and Corsair EX400U external ssd, both support thunderbolt 3 and work great, they really make up for the MacBook Air limitations.

Buy tomtoc sleeve and apple polishing (microfibre) cloth

A lot of ppl hate it but i always buy a slim case for those light bumps

Magic trackpad and honestly any bluetooth keyboard if you’re gonna connect it to a display. Plus a good microfiber cloth to keep it clean

A skin, sleeve or case, a charger holder, a docking station, a mouse.

If you don't like using the trackpad, then I would suggest getting a wireless mouse. I would also suggest getting a USB hub for any external devices you may want/need to use.

Hdmi, ethernet and usb A connector. All in one dongle is a nice suggestion

Power brick.

Checkout https://sunny-vinca-942.notion.site/Top-8-Mac-Accessories-for-MacBook-Air-M2-2025-Deals-My-Picks-2524a097ca4780b88ae4e2f22b9241f7?source=copy_link

As for essential items main ones are a backup drive to set up with time machine and a usb-c to usb-a dongle if you have any usb-a devices.

For time machine something like a samsung t7 is pretty good and you can get them for like $130 or so for a 2tb one (4x the size of your internal drive).

If you carry it in a bag, definitely also get a sleeve. The tomtoc one linked in another comment is great and isn't too expensive.

You need a computer sleeve, I got this for my MacBook Air M4 Sky Blue https://amzn.to/3QQ0VD6

A charger made by ugreen or anker, with 3 ports. So you can recharge everything.

External monitor and Magic Trackpad.

Smaller accessories? Actually nothing I can think of. Maybe some IEM earphones or AirPods. A nice sleeve to carry it.

Please don’t use screen protector and keyboard cover. It messes with the oleophobic coating and the hinge.

How much did you get this for?

Ang daming nagsasabi na wag lagyan ng case pero yung macbook ko 5years na nasa case lang siya ok pa rin naman. Frel ko kung walang case baka mas maraming tama. As a clumsy person haha

No need for screen protector or keyboard cover. Yun yung makakasira ng screen.

Kung madalas mo ilalabas, invest in a high quality padded sleeve like Tomtoc. 5 years na yung akin and it's as good as new.

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May protective layer yung screen kaya pag nilagyan mo ng adhesive at tinanggal magkakaroon ng mga markings at sa keyboards cover isn’t needed kasi dagdag thermal lang yan

up, sa mga nag sabing naka case yubg mb nila pa link naman po ako at makabili din hehe

I wanna follow this thread for some good ideas. I would actually like to have a bit of a 'station' of sorts where I have my laptop and audio interface, my iPad for chart reading, my beltpacks for IEM and headset mic, and accessory tray for quick switch sticks and my phone and water bottle etc.

If I can fit all that in a unit with a small footprint, good accessibility, and proper protection, I'd be so happy.

Get a computer that you don’t mind if it takes a hit.

I have an M1 for stability reasons -- it never crashes like my Dell XPS15 did. Never. So I wouldn't recommend getting a cheaper laptop. You can set your laptop to not fall asleep when you close the lid, so that could be some cheap protection. I've played a lot of gigs and never hit my laptop on the left.

https://preview.redd.it/fi77xtlx4voe1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=57b3ee4cf8e85979d3b50c064139b08dfad9ab67

The highest spec you can afford is the best.

They will all be fine. Cheaper ones might require more track freezing than the more expensive ones but their all good.

If you want more future proofing find a Windows laptop. As you'll get more hardware for your buck.

But either way you'll be good.

Macbook pro or mac studio is the best. Macbook air or mac mini would still work great. Just make sure you get at least 16gb of RAM.

You want something with a ton of RAM, that is the most important part. Macbook or Windows makes no difference unless you use Logic

I don’t have one yet, but just based on the architecture of how the M chip is made…it is revolutionary and incredibly efficient. It also doesn’t get hot which means no crashes and glitchy shit.

Love my new MacBook Pro 16” M2. Pro mobile music studio machine. Never had issues with Logic, GarageBand, etc. It just works!

It might sound really basic, but a second charger. Main one stays at my desk at home, the other in my backpack for work/school/travel. Never have to think about it.

Anker power bank and portable screen powered via USB-C.

Four external monitors for true multi tasking.

what are you holding

I guess you could consider it an accessory but a usb C monitor. Single connection to plug in is so nice. Just wish MacBooks supported daisy chaining like the old thunderbolt monitors.

i have the 2019 16 inches, i have 16 GB RAM and 500 GB of SSD, if you can buy the 1 TB, but if not this one is real good.

The best one you can afford.

I'm using a late 2014 15“ base mbp and no issues with ableton, so the new 16“ one wouldn't even fuss about it.