External Graphic Cards for Laptops - The Enclosures

Before I got the ViDock4 I researched many different devices. Some are out in the market today, some are exclusive to specific products, and some never came to the market.  If you are a tech person and are looking for a solution check the ones below. Some graphics cards need extra power and some do not, some solutions have them and some dont.  Enjoy my little research!


Fujitsu Amilo

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This is the first one I ran into. It got me interested in the possibility of hooking an external graphics to my Lenovo X201.

My gosh... can they make a more cheesy video?

This is the first one I ran across and got me interested.

Features:
One of the first external solutions
Run up to 3 external displays
Two additional USB 2 ports
ATI Radeon HD 3870 (it's an ok card)
Easy switching between graphics

The problem
It's for compatible ATI GXP Connector laptops only (Like the Amilo SA 3650)

Did I buy it?
NO

Link:
http://ts.fujitsu.com/home/products/notebooks/amilo_graphic_booster.html


ViDock

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The second one I ran into. What got me interested in ViDock is that it's actually out there.

Pros:
In the market
Multiple versions
Supports some high end graphics cards
Some systems accept easy graphics switching

Cons:
Expensive and expensive shipping
Terrible documentation
Some systems do not accept easy graphics switching

Did I buy it?
YES - ViDock 4

Village Instruments cons:
Website looks like 1998
Terrible documentation
OK Customer Service

Links:
http://www.villagetronic.com/
http://www.villagetronic.com/vidock2/index.html
http://www.jessebandersen.com/2010/11/vidock-4-unbox-hardware-setup-software.html


ATI XGP Technology

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This is basically the Amilo, but they could have licensed this to other companies.

Links:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/ati-xgp/Pages/ati-xgp.aspx


Asus XG Station

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I could not find a place where they sold this solution, so I'm going to assume that it didn't come to the market.

Links:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/hands-on-with-the-asus-xg-station-external-gpu/


PCI-Express Box by Magma

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Another solution. This one is up for order.

Pros:
It's on the market

Cons:
55w internal power (you can't have some of the latest GPUs)
The most expensive solution ($730 to $750)

Did I buy it?
Hell no

Links:
ExpressBox1
ExpressBox2


MSI Graphics Upgrade Solution ( GUS )

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This is one of the coolest looking ones.

Pros:
Looks sexy

Cons:
Limited to card power supply needs
Good luck finding one

Did I buy it?
No. I needed more power for my HD 5770

Links:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/laptops/2010/05/21/computex-2010-preview-msi/1


Do it Yourself ViDock (DIY ViDock)

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There are "home made" versions. They can be good if you put the time and effort.  You will also have to figure out the power needs for your card.

Links:
http://www.harmonicinversion.com
http://forum.notebookreview.com/gaming-software-graphics-cards/418851-diy-vidock-experiences.html#post5324240


Some Chris Pirillo Spam - External Video Cards

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Chris makes videos that don't exactly resolve the problem.  He's one of the kings of capturing keywords to increase view count and traffic to his websites.  But he's got a few good words in this video so I'll add it.

So what did I buy?
The ViDock 4. It offered the solution for the power needs of my ATI Radeon HD 5770.
http://www.jessebandersen.com/2010/11/vidock-4-unbox-hardware-setup-software.html

Did I miss any? ;)



Alienware Graphics Amplifier

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Up to 375 W graphics cards supported.

More info:

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/alienware-graphics-amplifier