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New Mac Studio expansion systems from Sonnet
- 23 September, 2022
UK: Sonnet Technologies has announced the RackMac Studio and xMac Studio professional rackmount systems for Apple® Mac Studio™ computers. The RackMac Studio is an enclosure to install and secure one or two Mac Studio computers. Available in three configurations, the xMac Studio holds a single Mac Studio computer plus a Thunderbolt™ to PCIe® card expansion module. Both systems are only 3U in height, designed to fit in standard 19-inch equipment racks.
About RackMac Studio
This compact, 9.5-inch deep, 3U rackmount enclosure supports the installation of two Mac Studio computers, securing them behind a removable front panel and providing open access to their SD card slots and front and back panel ports. The RackMac Studio enables front panel operation of a Mac Studio’s rear-mounted power switch and connects a panel-mounted passthrough USB cable to one of its USB-A ports, enabling the user to switch each computer on and off without having access the back and easily connect a keyboard, mouse, thumb drive, or other USB device to the front of the enclosure. The RackMac Studio’s shallow mounting depth makes it especially well-suited for installation into small travel racks and shallow molded rack cases. (MSRP: £450 + VAT)
About xMac Studio
This 16.5-inch deep 3U rackmount enclosure, plus Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion system, supports a single Mac Studio and includes either a 3-slot or 1-slot Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion module (a model without an expansion module is also available for customers who already have one from a Sonnet Echo III or DuoModo™ system).
As with the RackMac Studio, the xMac Studio secures the computer behind a removable front panel and provides open access to the computer’s SD card slot and front and back ports. The xMac Studio includes the same power button assembly to switch the computer on and off but replaces the single-port USB passthrough cable with a 4-port USB-A hub for connecting devices at the front of the enclosure. The xMac Studio includes adjustable extension rails to support its installation into racks 16 to 24 inches deep. (MSRP: £550 + VAT)
In place of a second computer, the xMac Studio includes a Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion module in TWO optional configurations:
xMac Studio / Echo™ I
This model incorporates an Echo I expansion module (the same one used in Sonnet’s Echo I Desktop and DuoModo expansion systems) and features one x16 PCIe 3.0 slot. It supports a single full-height, full-length, single or double-width PCIe card; and connects it to the computer’s Thunderbolt port via an included Thunderbolt (40Gbps) cable. The module integrates a universal 400W power supply and includes a 150W auxiliary power connector for non-GPU cards that require extra power and features dual Noctua cooling fans for ultra-quiet operation. The module is ideal for use with adapter cards that require Thunderbolt’s full PCIe signal bandwidth for maximum performance. (MSRP: £1,650 + VAT)
xMac Studio / Echo™ III
This model incorporates an Echo III expansion module (the same one used in Sonnet’s Echo III Desktop, Echo III Rackmount, and DuoModo expansion systems) and features one x16 and two x8 PCIe 3.0 slots. It can accommodate full-height, full-length (up to 12.28 inches long) PCIe cards; and connects them to the computer’s Thunderbolt port via an included Thunderbolt (40Gbps) cable. The module integrates a universal 400W power supply and includes a 75W auxiliary power connector for non-GPU cards that require extra power. The module includes a mode switch that enables the use of three Avid® Pro Tools|HDX PCIe cards and features dual Noctua cooling fans for ultra-quiet operation. (MSRP: £1,650 + VAT)
Why These New Products Are Important
Mac Studio computers offer phenomenal processing power, outperforming computers many times their size and price, and provide a lot of ports for connecting peripherals. But the form factor might not ideal for every situation. Integrating a Mac Studio - designed to sit on a desk - into a rack to support many professional workflows poses challenges, and the lack of internal expansion card slots found in tower desktop computers limits connectivity further. Sonnet’s RackMac Studio and xMac Studio address these issues.
Furthermore, RackMac Studio and xMac Studio enclosures secure Mac Studio computers without trapping them in recirculating hot rack air, enabling them to keep them as cool in a rack as on a desk. Both enclosures are ruggedized, with firm rubber cushions that securely hold the computer in place during transport, making the Sonnet solutions ideal for use in moulded rack cases, fly racks, or most any travel rack. Because they feature front panels secured with thumbscrews, RackMac Studio and Mac Studio allow computers to be installed or removed without the need for tools. There is also space to fit TWO additional Thunderbolt or USB SSDs (sold separately).
Pricing & Delivery
RackMac Studio and all three xMac Studio variants will be available towards the end of October 2022.
