Mac Pro, MacBook Pro and Thunderbolt-laptops in the professional world

The advent of Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 is dramatically changing the shape, size and potential of workstations and professional laptops. With Sonnet expansion systems, these new powerhouse computers can now be adapted to use PCI cards and external systems to make them into the systems users need.

The advent of Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 is dramatically changing the shape, size and capabilities of workstations and professional laptops. With Sonnet expansion systems, these new powerhouse computers can be adapted to use PCI cards and external systems to make them into the systems users really need.

Sonnet: Expanding Professional Thunderbolt Systems 

In their raw state, the Apple Mac Pro, MacBook Pro and HP's ZBook mobile workstations are super-charged computer systems. In terms of processor speed, GPU capabilities and fast internal storage, they can achieve multi-layer real-time HD, 2K and 4K editing, video compositing, multi-channel audio processing, fast transcoding and much more. However, they are limited in terms of fulfilling specialist roles such as:

-Capturing single 4K and multiple HD feeds from SDI and HDMI sources

-Outputting video to professional monitors and reference screens

-Managing RAID storage and accessing fibre channel networks

-Importing files from multiple professional media cards

-Interfacing with professional audio equipment

-Sharing data on 10Gb and 40Gb Ethernet networks

With Sonnet Technologies' latest Echo Expansion unit, Thunderbolt-equipped workstations can add 3 external PCI cards, an external LTO-6 archive tape drive as well as 4 additional 2.5" SSD drives or up-to 3 4TB hard drives. This can all be achieved with the Echo Express III which is available as a desktop or rack chassis.

As with all Sonnet Echo Express units, the device has a Thunderbolt pass through port, allowing users to connect multiple expansion chassis or Thunderbolt-equipped peripherals.

Sonnet: Expanding Thunderbolt Notebooks 

For mobile users, Sonnet's Echo Express SE and Echo Express SE II enable users to add one or two PCI cards (respectively) to laptop systems. Professionals can now edit on the move using external monitors, record direct from cameras and import simultaneously from 4 media cards at an aggregate speed of 400MB/s using Sonnet's Qio.

Coming soon is the 15 port docking station with an internal drive bay and optical drive - Sonnet's Echo 15 Thunderbolt Dock. As computer formats tend towards miniaturization, the Echo 15 can offer Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, SATA and eSATA, FireWire 800, and Gigabit Ethernet ports.

Richard Payne, Technical Development Manager with Holdan remarked:

"With Sonnet's expansion devices, Thunderbolt systems can grow wings. Workstations can be adapted for every need without even having to open the computer case while laptops can be morphed instantly into the professional tool the user needs. In our tests, we have used a laptop to record and simultaneously edit multiple streams of HD with real-time external video monitoring."

The latest expansion devices from Sonnet are forward compatible with Thunderbolt 2, requiring a simple board exchange at minimal cost. Details to follow soon.