It looks like an oversized docking station that you can use to plug in keyboards, headphones, and all sorts of computer accessories. Heck, it’s even got a bunch of ports and a companion dock for setting up right on your work desk like a standard docking station. Except, the Thunderboost eGPU Dock houses an actual modern GPU inside that you can use to add some much-needed graphic processing muscle to your less powerful computers on the fly.
That’s right, this compact device is an actual external GPU solution that you can use to add discrete graphics to your ultraportable laptop. No need to build a new desktop or buy a beefy gaming laptop – this thing lets you enjoy the benefits of high-powered GPUs on your erstwhile humble productivity machine. Whether you need a GPU for AAA gaming, video editing, or VR experiences, this thing gives you what you need without having to get an entirely new computer.
The Thunderboost eGPU Dock is a compact enclosure measuring just 6.9 x 4.6 x 1.2 inches, ensuring it can easily find space even in crowded desks, all while being small enough to slip in your laptop backpack for taking on the go. According to the outfit, it’s the most compact Thunderbolt 5 external GPU housing in the market today and, truth be told, we’ve actually never seen anything that even comes close. It’s meant to be used upright, by the way, which will allow the fans to produce the necessary airflow, so it comes with a small dock that ensures stability while it stands on the desk.
How did they manage to make the housing so small? For one, it’s not meant to plug in a desktop GPU like other external GPU enclosures. Instead, it comes preinstalled with mobile MXM modules of either the 8GB RTX 4060 or the 16GB RTX 4090. Sure, those aren’t as powerful as the standard desktop versions, but they’re still powerful graphic chips that bring much-needed muscle to your underpowered machines.
The Thunderboost eGPU Dock hooks up to your laptop, mini-PC, or gaming handheld via a Type-C Thunderbolt 5 connection, allowing for simple plug-and-play convenience. Granted, you’ll have to install new drivers before getting to take advantage of the new GPU, but it’s as simple as it gets, with no extra installations necessary. According to the outfit, you can replace the MXM module inside, too, so you can upgrade it to a new mobile GPU any time you want. Aside from the GPU, there’s also slot inside for SSD storage, allowing you to use the same enclosure for additional disk space.
The graphics dock comes with one HDMI 2.1 slot and one DisplayPort 1.4a port, so you’re restricted to just two display slots. However, it also functions as a pretty capable docking station, with three USB-C ports and two USB-A ports for connecting all sorts of peripherals, as well as an Ethernet slot for wired internet connectivity. Other features include an integrated cooling system with two fans and a heavy-duty heatsink, aluminum and carbon fiber housing, and 100W power delivery.
A Kickstarter campaign is currently running for the Thunderboost eGPU Dock. Pledges to reserve a unit starts at $759.
