AtCES 2022on Tuesday , Alienware bring out a conception that it believe to be the next coevals of eGPUs . It ’s just the ‘ GPU ’ part that might be a problem .
For the naive , an eGPU is an external piece of computer hardware , typically a large box , that connect to a portable laptop computer to boost graphical performance so you’re able to , say , playCyberpunk 2077on anXPS 13 . Or , you know , endeavor to play it .
It ’s a cagy solvent for overcoming hardware restrictions to let you have the best of both worlds : an extremist - thin , ultra - lightweight laptop when you ’re on the move and a knock-down gaming rig at home . As great as that sounds , eGPUs , for various reasons , have n’t get on — but Alienware is n’t giving up just yet .
Image: Alienware
The society ’s new press release is called Concept Polaris , though “ concept ” is a stretch here since there does n’t seem to be much standing in the path of Alienware making this matter ( though a passel could change between now and a likely spill ) . So study this announcement more an attempt to approximate customer demand than to showcase transformative technologies of the future .
Either way , it ’s several steps forward from theAlienware Graphics Amplifierreleased in 2014 . Remember that monumental rectangle ? It was Brobdingnagian , expensive , and used a proprietary PCIe / USB cablegram instead of the ubiquitous Thunderbolt 3 . Concept Polaris tackles these problems by remove the built - in world power provision and using dual 330w ( or even 425w ) AC adapters rather . This might not help you delight the eGPU any easier , but it keeps the sizing of the boxwood down and saves you desk outer space .
I quite like the designing of the Concept Polaris . really , I hope Alienware does n’t make any change to the exterior should it ever go to marketplace . Where most eGPUs are big smuggled rectangles , Concept Polaris borrows from Alienware ’s “ Legion 2.0 ” esthetic , so you get the RGB light band , rounded edges , white surfaces , and hexagonal patterns . It ’s basically a shrunken - down Aurora R12 background and will appeal to those who gravitate toward the stereotypical gamer look — you live , glow rainbow hues and weird futuristic sci - fi element .
Image: Concept Polaris
It may search small , but the form allows for a full - size of it desktop graphics card that can be liquid chill using Alieware ’s Cryo - Tech cooling scheme , which lie of 240 mm buff and Element 31 ( gallium liquid metal ) . Best of all , Polaris drop the bullshit Alienware - only connector and replaces it with Thunderbolt 4 , Thunderbolt 3 , and USB-4 , so you may employ the eGPU on a wide range of laptops . Along with those ports , you get USB Type - C , USB Type - A , and Ethernet ports .
Let me reiterate that Polaris is less a concept than the others Dell / Alienware announced at CES 2022 ( Nyx , Pari , Luna ) turn over most of the technology already exist to get this thing off the ground . Hell , thanks to the ongoing chip shot dearth , the only thing conceptual about Concept Polaris is the idea that its owners could buy the background GPUs needed to make it operate . Oh well , at least it ’ll seem good sitting empty on your desk .
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Image: Alienware
