Magma ExpressBox1 is simply an external case that can house a PCI Express card. If you want you can insert a PCI Express graphics card into the external case and then connect it to your laptop, which makes it possible to use any kind of expansion cards even with your laptop. ExpressBox1 uses the same concept as ASUS XG Station and relies on the ExpressCard slots most new laptops have. You can use practically any PCI Express card you want with ExpressBox1, ranging from graphics cards, sound cards to video editing hardware. Bandwidth shouldn’t be a problem either as the ExpressCard interface have a bandwidth of up to 2Gbps, a lot more than Firewire or USB2.0.
“Attention Gamers and GPU Gurus! Magma ExpressBox1 is designed for “single-width” video cards that require 55 watts or less. “Double-wide” GPUs that require auxillary power will be compatible with the next generation Magma ExpressBox to be available later this year.”
There’s no doubt that Magma, just like ASUS, has designed its product for gamers that want some more graphical punch with their laptops, alas the price is a bit steep for most gamers. It namely costs $729 USD for the shorter version and $749 for the full-length version.
