Sonnet has launched a new external GPU enclosure for users who want to add a powerful desktop graphics card to a compatible laptop or PC. The new Breakaway Box 850 T5 combines Thunderbolt 5 connectivity with an 850W power supply and enough space for large triple slot graphics cards.
The new Sonnet eGPU box is aimed at gamers, creators and professionals who need more graphics power without replacing their main computer. It is now available directly from Sonnet for $599.99.
Built for large graphics cards
The Breakaway Box 850 T5 can fit graphics cards measuring up to 345 x 155 x 70 mm. This means users can install many modern triple slot GPUs inside the enclosure.
Power comes from a built-in 850W PSU. Sonnet includes three 8-pin power connectors, which can also be adapted for GPUs that use the newer 12V-2×6 power connection.
The enclosure measures 210 x 400 x 250 mm and weighs around 6.4 kg. Its design has a simple industrial look rather than the usual gaming-focused styling.
Thunderbolt 5 and useful connectivity
The main feature is Thunderbolt 5, which provides the connection between the computer and the external graphics card. The enclosure is also backward compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4, giving users more flexibility with existing systems.
Sonnet has also added several extra ports, turning the Breakaway Box 850 T5 into more than just an eGPU enclosure. It includes one Thunderbolt 5 peripheral port for storage devices or daisy chaining, along with three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports offering up to 10 Gbps speeds.
There is also a 5 Gb Ethernet port for fast wired networking.
Cooling and warranty
The enclosure comes with a temperature-controlled case fan that adjusts cooling based on system temperature. This should help move hot air out of the enclosure when the installed GPU is under heavy load.
Sonnet is also offering lifetime technical support with the Breakaway Box 850 T5. The product comes with a two-year warranty.
With its large GPU support, high-power PSU and Thunderbolt 5 connection, the Breakaway Box 850 T5 gives laptop and compact PC users another way to add desktop-class graphics performance without building a completely new system.
OWC has expanded its Thunderbolt 5 lineup with a new dock aimed at users who want a cleaner desktop setup without relying on a collection of adapters. The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock with Dual HDMI combines display connectivity, high-speed storage, networking, memory card readers and laptop charging through a single Thunderbolt connection.
Alongside the new dock, OWC has also introduced a 1.5-meter version of its Thunderbolt 5 USB-C cable, giving users a little more freedom when arranging their desks and workstations.
OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock Brings More Connections Together
The main highlight of the new dock is its two built-in HDMI 2.1 ports. This allows compatible monitors with HDMI connections to be plugged directly into the dock instead of requiring additional display adapters.
A single Thunderbolt 5 connection to the host computer can handle multiple parts of a workstation at the same time, including displays, storage, networking and power.
For demanding laptops, the dock can provide up to 140 W of Power Delivery. OWC says this is enough to keep high-performance MacBook Pro and Windows laptops charged while connected devices are being used.
There is also a front-facing USB-C port capable of delivering up to 30 W, which can be useful for quickly charging a phone or tablet while working.
Dual 4K 240 Hz or 8K Displays
Display support is another major part of the dock. When paired with a Thunderbolt 5 host, the two HDMI outputs can support dual 4K displays at up to 240 Hz or dual 8K displays at 60 Hz with DSC.
Users can also add a third display through Thunderbolt or USB-C, depending on the system and display configuration.
That makes the dock particularly interesting for creators, editors and professionals who work across multiple screens.
Fast Storage and 2.5GbE Networking
OWC has also focused on high-speed data transfer. The dock includes a downstream Thunderbolt 5 port that can be used with compatible external SSDs and RAID storage.
For wired networking, there is a 2.5GbE Ethernet connection, giving users faster network performance for large file transfers, NAS access and other bandwidth-heavy workloads.
Photographers and video professionals also get built-in UHS-II SD and microSD card slots, allowing media to be transferred directly without adding a separate card reader.
The dock also supports OWC’s Innergize software when used with compatible OWC Atlas SD memory cards. This provides tools for checking card health, performance and firmware updates.
Designed for Mac and Windows
The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock with Dual HDMI is not limited to Thunderbolt 5 computers. OWC says it works with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 on Mac, USB4 and USB-C hosts across Mac and Windows systems.
The dock can also be positioned either horizontally or vertically, giving users more flexibility depending on their desk setup.
OWC includes its Dock Ejector software for safely disconnecting attached drives with a single action. On macOS, an included driver also allows an Apple SuperDrive to work through the dock.
New 1.5-Meter Thunderbolt 5 Cable
Along with the dock, OWC is expanding its Thunderbolt 5 cable range with a new 1.5-meter USB-C cable.
The cable supports up to 80 Gb/s of bidirectional data transfer and can provide up to 120 Gb/s of bandwidth for supported display applications. It is also rated to deliver up to 240 W of power for compatible laptops and devices.
OWC says the cable can be used with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4 and USB-C devices, including Macs, PCs, iPads, Chromebooks and Surface systems.
It can also connect compatible docks, displays, external SSDs, RAID systems, PCIe expansion devices and other accessories.
The 1.5-meter cable comes with a three-year OWC limited warranty.
Price and Availability
The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock with Dual HDMI is scheduled to become generally available in November 2026 for $349.99.
The new 1.5-meter OWC Thunderbolt 5 USB-C Cable is expected to arrive in mid-October 2026 and will cost $58.99.
Both products will also be shown publicly at IBC 2026, which runs from September 11 to 14 at RAI Amsterdam. OWC will be exhibiting in Hall 7, Booth 7.A60.
Final Thoughts
OWC’s latest Thunderbolt 5 additions are clearly aimed at people who want fewer cables and adapters without giving up high-speed connectivity. The new dock combines dual HDMI, fast storage, 2.5GbE networking, card readers and high-power charging into one workstation-focused solution.
The $349.99 price puts it firmly in the premium dock category, but its combination of dual high-refresh-rate display support, Thunderbolt 5 storage connectivity and 140 W charging could make it a useful option for demanding professional setups.
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As we move further into 2026, the demand for Thunderbolt 5 (TBT5) peripherals and AI-integrated docking stations is increasing. Plugable has already launched an AI docking solution named TBT5-AI. However, with Acer’s backing, Plugable intends to scale these “next-gen” solutions across global markets much faster than it could as a standalone entity.
For those who know Plugable, the most important aspect of this announcement is the preservation of the company's identity. Lynn Smurthwaite-Murphy, CEO of Plugable Technologies, emphasised that this investment strengthens the company without diluting the transparency and dependability that customers trust.
The partnership also addresses the issues that have occasionally plagued smaller peripheral brands during major technology transitions. By tapping into Acer Gadget's diversified supply chain, Plugable can ensure more consistent availability for enterprise-level deployments of its charging devices and multi-display hubs. Allen Jong, President of Acer Gadget Inc., noted that the investment is a core part of Acer's strategy to dominate the high-end PC peripheral portfolio as hybrid work environments continue to evolve into more complex, multi-display configurations.
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