The following are links to ITS recommended accessories so that users and departments may directly purchase them themselves from Amazon. These are cables, adapters and peripherals that ITS has tested, are known to work, and that ITS can support.
USB-C port replicators/docks
These are mostly for Macbooks since they don't support actual docking stations, but will also work on our newer Lenovos that have USB-C ports. Each provides a network (RJ45) port, an HDMI port, and USB ports.
- Anker 5-in-1. This is the one normally distributed with each Macbook. Has 3 USB ports, Ethernet and HDMI.
- UtechSmart 6-in-1. Larger alternative, includes power pass-through (USB-C), 3 USB ports, Ethernet and HDMI.
- Dell docking station: If you would like to purchase an additional dock for your Dell or Lenovo laptop, please contact the helpdesk for assistance. Note - ITS now offers a 24" Lenovo docking monitor, which replaces the need for a stand-alone dock.
Mice and keyboards
Wired
These will work with all Lenovo, Dell and Mac computers. Apple no longer sells wired accessories.
Wireless
ITS does not fund wireless accessories. Note that Apple wireless keyboards and mice no longer have replaceable batteries and so need to be repurchased each time the rechargeable battery wears out. Due to this and cost, ITS doesn't advise their purchase but they are usually available at the College Bookstore.
Note: wireless accessories operate at the same frequencies as wifi and can cause interference resulting in connectivity and performance issues for your computer any other users in your office. Because of this, wireless accessories are not advised unless absolutely necessary.
If you want to purchase Apple-brand keyboards and mice, these can be purchased from the Middlebury College Bookstore or directly from Apple. Note that the Apple keyboards and mice are quite expensive and no longer have replaceable batteries. So when the rechargeable batteries wear out after a while, you will need to buy a new mouse/keyboard.
Wifi Adapters
If a USB wifi adapter is needed either for a personal home desktop, a college-owned desktop being used at home for remote work, or a laptop with problematic built-in wifi, the following adapters have been tested and found to perform well:
Other adapters may also work fine but may have poorer performance and/or require drivers updated/installed (the ones listed above are "plug & play" in Windows 10).
Other Peripherals
Accessories
- Surge supressor. Strongly recommended for all computers and other valuable equipment.
- Uninteruptable Power Supply (UPS). A UPS is basically a surge suppressor combined with a battery. The purpose of a UPS is to provide battery backup power in the event of a power dip or blackout to prevent data loss and give the user time to save their data and shut down properly. The more "VA", the longer the runtime (bigger the battery). Laptops already have batteries so they don't need a UPS (but laptops can still benefit from a surge suppressor). Be sure to only plug in critical things (computer and monitor) into the outlets marked "battery+surge" and everything else into the outlets marked "surge".
- Monitor arm. Employees are encouraged to contact the helpdesk for assistance in attaching the monitor to the arm.
- Laptop bag
Monitors
- ITS provide a single 24" display for Middlebury employees. Additional monitors can be purchased from Amazon or other vendors.
Monitor stands
ITS doesn't have a specific stand we recommend as there are any number of good ones out there and it's a very subjective choice per user depending on their preferences and what works for their specific desk setup. For a starting point, here's the category at Amazon for stands with high reviews.
Cables and adapters
Items in this category can be confusing and nuanced. Note the "To" and "From" as many cables will only work in one direction. Not all types of ports can be converted. If you have any questions about what you need for your situation, please contact the helpdesk for assistance.
BiDir = same cable as opposite direction
DP = DisplayPort
TB2 = Thunderbolt 2. Looks identical to mini-DP but has added capability. For video only, see the mini-DP options.
TB3 = Thunderbolt 3. Looks identical to USB-C but has added capability. For video only, see the USB-C options.
n/a = Nature of the connection makes this not easy/applicable
Cables on Amazon change frequently. If you find that one linked above is no longer available, please contact helpdesk@middlebury.edu
Network cables
The recommended source for network/ethernet cables (and where ITS orders from) is Monoprice (if the linked color is out of stock, just select a different color). Even with shipping Monoprice tends to be cheaper than Amazon even for a single cable. If you wish to order from Amazon, most any network cable you find with decent reviews that is rated "Cat 5e" should be fine. Click here for a general Amazon product search (avoid anything "shielded" or "bulk"). For convenience, here's a link to a specific cable available singly in a variety of lengths.