So $350 without a graphics card. These seem so cool. Why are these so expensive tho? Isn't it essentially a PCIe slot on a small PCB with a Thunderbolt chip, GbE and USB, inside a small case, and a smallish power supply? Seems like it should be less expensive than a basic motherboard and PC case.
What am I missing, other than perhaps they are low volume products?
Low volumes and a limited number of competitors that appeal to a slice of potential buyers that currently seem willing to absorb such high costs to get an external dGPU.
The thing is that people who want a laptop that has considerable graphics power generally are able to buy a system with a mobile dGPU for less than the combined cost of a laptop + dock + desktop dGPU. Laptops that lack dedicate graphics to begin with are currently less likely to support said dock to begin with and iGPU-only laptops run the gaumt from workplace computers to web access systems at home, most of which hardly need the iGPUs they currently ship with. They're a cool idea, but a niche to say the least with cost burdens and non-universal hardware support.
That's basically it. Outside of the mac ecosystem, if you want a laptop with a built in GPU, the choices are many (not endless, but many). Big, small, flashy, subdued, etc. If you want a 14" laptop with a GTX1050 in a mac? You'll be waiting forever.
It would be larger, though, and also a separate system. There's a value to being able to use the same PC for everything whilst still having it be light enough to carry around during the day - not so much value that I'd pay this much for the privilege, though!
No idea. Gigabyte AORUS Gaming Box with a GTX 1070 is $550. Figure the GPU is worth $400 so the external case is adding $150 to the price. $350 is just a joke.
Nonsense. This thing is 2.2L in volume, even the DAN case is just over 7L. You can't build a full system with a discrete GPU at all at this size, let alone for less money.
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sbrown23 - Friday, January 11, 2019 - link
So $350 without a graphics card. These seem so cool. Why are these so expensive tho? Isn't it essentially a PCIe slot on a small PCB with a Thunderbolt chip, GbE and USB, inside a small case, and a smallish power supply? Seems like it should be less expensive than a basic motherboard and PC case.What am I missing, other than perhaps they are low volume products?
PeachNCream - Friday, January 11, 2019 - link
Low volumes and a limited number of competitors that appeal to a slice of potential buyers that currently seem willing to absorb such high costs to get an external dGPU.The thing is that people who want a laptop that has considerable graphics power generally are able to buy a system with a mobile dGPU for less than the combined cost of a laptop + dock + desktop dGPU. Laptops that lack dedicate graphics to begin with are currently less likely to support said dock to begin with and iGPU-only laptops run the gaumt from workplace computers to web access systems at home, most of which hardly need the iGPUs they currently ship with. They're a cool idea, but a niche to say the least with cost burdens and non-universal hardware support.
sbrown23 - Friday, January 11, 2019 - link
Good points, thanks!nerd1 - Friday, January 11, 2019 - link
They are targeted at macbook users. Enough said.jeremyshaw - Saturday, January 12, 2019 - link
That's basically it. Outside of the mac ecosystem, if you want a laptop with a built in GPU, the choices are many (not endless, but many). Big, small, flashy, subdued, etc. If you want a 14" laptop with a GTX1050 in a mac? You'll be waiting forever.SleepyFE - Sunday, January 20, 2019 - link
There are no subdued options. As soon as it has gamer in the name or a decent GPU inside it's tacky as hell.beginner99 - Saturday, January 12, 2019 - link
Yeah at that price you can just build a budget gaming PC. It might cost a bight more but have much better performance.Spunjji - Monday, January 14, 2019 - link
It would be larger, though, and also a separate system. There's a value to being able to use the same PC for everything whilst still having it be light enough to carry around during the day - not so much value that I'd pay this much for the privilege, though!Mitch89 - Saturday, January 12, 2019 - link
Agreed, I get they aren’t particularly high volume, but I bet that’s partly because at their current pricing they’re a rip off.$350 is the bones of a half-decent PC these days
namechamps - Monday, January 14, 2019 - link
No idea. Gigabyte AORUS Gaming Box with a GTX 1070 is $550. Figure the GPU is worth $400 so the external case is adding $150 to the price. $350 is just a joke.zodiacfml - Sunday, January 13, 2019 - link
One can build a system with that size and cost with better performance.Spunjji - Monday, January 14, 2019 - link
Nonsense. This thing is 2.2L in volume, even the DAN case is just over 7L. You can't build a full system with a discrete GPU at all at this size, let alone for less money.lbhelp - Thursday, January 17, 2019 - link
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