Asus lets users combine laptops with desktop cards via ROG XG Station 2

Asus has developed an accessory for laptops that allows laptops to use the graphics processing power of desktop video cards. The connection between the ROG XG Station 2 and the laptop is via two USB-C connections.

According to Asus, the ROG XG2 was developed for Asus laptops and can accommodate video cards from both Nvidia and AMD. The PCI-E connection is via two USB-C connections, for PCIe 3.0 x4 speed. The docking station can also work via a single USB-C connection, but is then limited to PCIe 3.0 x2 speed.

At the back of the accessory is the power connection and a USB hub. ROG XG Station 2 can charge laptops at the same time. During the CES electronics fair, the manufacturer demonstrated a laptop in combination with the docking station with a GeForce GTX 980 Ti, which achieved a score of 13909 with a 3DMark FireStrike. Two fans at the top must keep the video cards at the right temperature.

The product could be launched after the summer, but details, such as the possibility of an introduction in the Benelux, are still missing. Asus is not the first manufacturer with such a product. For example, Dell has the Alienware Graphics Amplifier and MSI has the GS30 Shadow. Both work with the laptops via self-developed pci-e connections.