Thanks to the notable improvements in the third version of the Thunderbolt interface, external graphics cards are closer than ever. Of course, Thunderbolt cannot do all the work alone, and it needs important allies, starting with enclosures specially designed to serve as a bridge between traditional GPUs and compatible computers. The Wolfe is a compact, elegant, and powerful solution created with MacBooks in mind, but it also connects to almost any Windows laptop with Thunderbolt ports.
Why an External GPU?
The need for an external graphics card needs no analysis: laptops are lighter, and their aesthetics improve with every generation, but both factors rule out adding a more powerful graphics chip. Heat and power consumption are the two main enemies of any battery-powered platform, while on the other side, integrated video solutions leave much to be desired. A classic example is Macs. No one can deny they are versatile and have impeccable looks, but their Intel graphics are slowly becoming a bad joke. Users want more, and Apple's options with better graphics don't even meet the recommended requirements for VR headsets, and cost a fortune. A complete alternative is needed, and that's where The Wolfe comes in.
Meet The Wolfe
At any time of day, The Wolfe could be mistaken for an external hard drive or even a new Mac Mini, but it's actually an external graphics card compatible with the Thunderbolt interface. Its official page describes two models: a standard edition based on the Nvidia GTX 950, and the Pro variant with a GTX 970, which depending on the campaign's funding could be replaced by the new GTX 1060 (in all cases, The Wolfe comes with a 220-watt power supply). The official Kickstarter profile states that its compatibility extends to all three versions of Thunderbolt, but the Thunderbolt 2 version (and by extension Thunderbolt 1, since they share the same port and are compatible with each other, with obvious speed differences) will only be available via crowdfunding. In other words, if you want to use The Wolfe on a system with Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2, whether OS X or Windows, the time to get it is now.
And honestly, you have to hurry, because The Wolfe exploded on Kickstarter. The project sought $50,000, but in less than 48 hours it surpassed the $180,000 barrier. The DIY version that allowed you to install your own graphics card cost $269, and I say "cost" because the hundred available units vanished into thin air. Right now, the most economical entry point to The Wolfe is $449 for the GTX 950 version, and $599 for the GTX 970 (or 1060). We all hope the campaign reaches its goal, and if there are no delays, the first units will be delivered in February 2017. Most importantly, The Wolfe reflects the great demand for external graphics cards. We want to see more Thunderbolt enclosures as soon as possible, and at even more competitive prices.
