Asus made waves at CES 2025 with the unveiling of the groundbreaking Thunderbolt 5 external graphics card and docking station, known as the 2025 XG Mobile. This innovative device offers a convenient single-cable solution for laptops and handheld devices, featuring Nvidia’s powerful GeForce RTX 5090 mobile GPU, 140W power delivery, multi-monitor support, and a versatile hub with USB, SD card, and 5Gbps Ethernet connectivity.
The XG Mobile harnesses the incredible 80Gbps bidirectional bandwidth of Thunderbolt 5, providing up to 64Gbps for the GPU to deliver exceptional performance. Unlike its predecessor, which was limited to Asus devices, this new model is compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 systems, with Thunderbolt 5 recommended for optimal GPU bandwidth.
Weighing less than 2.2 pounds and featuring a fold-out kickstand, the XG Mobile is 25% lighter and 18% smaller than its predecessor. It boasts a 350W internal power supply, eliminating the need for an external power brick, and includes HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 for video output, along with two 10Gbps USB-A ports.
The pricing of the XG Mobile reflects its premium portability and performance. The top-tier model featuring an RTX 5090 mobile GPU will be priced at $2,199.99, while a lower-tier version with an RTX 5070 Ti will cost $1,199.99. While the price point may be higher than traditional desktop eGPU solutions, the XG Mobile caters to users in search of compact, travel-friendly power rather than cost efficiency.
Scheduled for release in Q1 2025, the XG Mobile presents an advanced solution for thin-and-light laptops and handheld devices, potentially transforming them into high-performance desktop replacements. However, users may face challenges in finding Thunderbolt 5 devices without integrated discrete GPUs.
Filed under: Asus, CES, CES 2025, GeForce, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
