Roger Fingas
A less expensive external GPU option for Thunderbolt 3 Macs, the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 560, is now available through Apple's online store and may soon hit some physical outlets, but there are options for buying now.
The Puck can handle up to four 4K monitors, thanks in part to 4 gigabytes of GDDR5 VRAM along with three DisplayPort 1.4 ports and one HDMI 2.0 connection. With this package, its bundled Thunderbolt 3 cable can supply up to 60 watts of power to an attached MacBook, versus the 45W that it supplied in the first version of the hardware.
Another selling point may be size. The Puck is no more than 6 inches long, 2 inches high, and 5.12 inches wide, while weighing about 3.3 pounds. That makes it relatively easy to stash away on a desk, or even in some backpacks and messenger bags. There is also an optional VESA mount, to attach it to the back of some monitors.
Apple is selling the hardware for $399.95. Some deliveries and pickups are expected to happen as soon as Monday, possibly a sign that outlets will have units on shelves the same day. Buyers must be running macOS 10.14.1 or later.
macOS only recently gained support for the RX 560. Check out AppleInsider's roundup of some of the other Mac-ready eGPU enclosures on the market.
Where to buy
In addition to buying from Apple directly, Sonnet's eGFX Breakaway Puck with the Radeon RX 560 can be ordered from Apple authorized resellers, such as B&H Photo. Those looking for a beefier GPU option can also pick up the Breakaway Puck with a Radeon RX 570 for $499 at B&H Photo and Amazon.
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
Sponsored Content
13 Comments
I assume its name implies it's made in Canada.
The device may be small, but isn’t the external power supply almost as big as the unit itself?
How can you not even cite your own article?
https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/02/21/apples-macos-adds-official-support-for-amd-radeon-rx-560-egpus
"It appears that Mac users looking to boost their workflow with an RX 560 will have to deal with a few limitations. Apple notes playback of HDCP-protected content from iTunes and certain unnamed streaming services is not supported on displays directly connected to an RX 560-based eGPU, including Sonnet's device. Said content can, however, be viewed on the built-in display of a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iMac, the document reads."
Get yourself an RX580 or Vega if you're investing in an eGPU solution. The extra money is worth it. Or wait for VII support to come out of beta.
Sad this has to even exist. Here is this beautiful expensive Mac computer and here is this ugly puck you have to put next to it that will barely bring the performance up to the level of a cheap mid-level PC laptop. Seriously Apple, what are we doing here?