The eGPU market continues to advance and Apple wants to promote this trend that allows us to have external graphic help. It is perfect for mobile devices such as MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, which need graphics power for games, video editing or application development.
Today we know another Apple bet in this regard in its online store. Although at the moment we only see it marketed in the US We are talking about the model of the house Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 560. This model is somewhat cheaper than the BlackMagic, but we will see its characteristics to see differences.
First say that can only be purchased at the moment in the US online store. In the forums there they comment that it will soon be available in physical stores, hopefully the same will happen in other countries. This graphic help can be enjoyed on all Macs with Thunderbolt 3 port. The other requirement is to have at least macOS 10.14.1 or higher.
It has 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM memory, three DisplayPort 1.4 ports and a HDMI 2.0 connection. The connection with the Mac is made through the cable that is included and allows to supply up to 60 watts. This is an improvement over its predecessor, as the previous one only reached 45 watts. With all this hardware, we can connect up to 4 monitors with 4K resolution. Another point in favor of the Sonnet team is its size. its measures are 15 centimeters long, 5 centimeters high and 13 wide. Its weight is 1.5 Kg. It is perfect if you have to transport it from home to work for regular changes of residence.
The price of this equipment is around 399,95$. This eGPU is perfect for users who require graphic enhancement, as it has 4GB dedicated. Compared to the model BlackmagicThis has 8GB dedicated, but due to dimensions it loses that portability (although in principle they are not accessories that are transported) so it is more designed for professionals with high graphic requirements. Depending on your use, one model or another will be more recommended.