Sonnet announces Professional Rackmount and Thunderbolt to PCIe Card Expansion Systems for Mac Studio Computers
6th September 2022
Sonnet Technologies today announced the RackMac Studio and xMac Studio professional rackmount systems for Apple Mac Studio computers.
The RackMac Studio is an enclosure to install and secure one or two Mac Studio computers. Available in three configurations, the xMac Studio holds a single Mac Studio computer plus a Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion module. Both systems are only 3U in height, designed to fit in standard 19-inch equipment racks, and include space beneath each computer that enables users to securely store connected Thunderbolt or USB SSDs behind a panel.
RackMac Studio:
- This compact, 9.5-inch deep, 3U rackmount enclosure supports the installation of two Mac Studio computers, securing them behind a removable front panel and providing open access to their SD card slots and front and back panel ports. The RackMac Studio enables front panel operation of a Mac Studio's rear-mounted power switch and connects a panel-mounted passthrough USB cable to one of its USB-A ports, enabling the user to switch each computer on and off without having to access the back and to easily connect a keyboard, mouse, thumb drive, or other USB device to the front of the enclosure. The RackMac Studio's shallow mounting depth makes it especially well-suited for installation into small travel racks and shallow molded rack cases.
xMac Studio:
- This 16.5-inch deep, 3U rackmount enclosure plus Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion system supports a single Mac Studio and includes either a three-slot or one-slot Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion module. (A model without an expansion module is also available for customers who already have one from a Sonnet Echo III or DuoModo system.) Like the RackMac Studio, the xMac Studio secures the computer behind a removable front panel and provides open access to the computer's SD card slot and front and back ports. The xMac Studio includes the same power button assembly to switch the computer on and off but replaces the single-port USB passthrough cable with a four-port USB-A hub for connecting devices at the front of the enclosure. The xMac Studio includes adjustable extension rails to support its installation into racks 16 to 24 inches deep. In place of a second computer, the xMac Studio includes a Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion module in two optional configurations:
xMac Studio / Echo III:
- This model incorporates an Echo III expansion module (the same one used in Sonnet's Echo III Desktop, Echo III Rackmount, and DuoModo expansion systems); features one x16 and two x8 PCIe 3.0 slots; accommodates full-height, full-length (up to 12.28 inches long) PCIe cards; and connects them to the computer's Thunderbolt port via an included Thunderbolt (40Gbps) cable. The module integrates a universal 400W power supply and includes a 75W auxiliary power connector for non-GPU cards that require extra power. The module includes a mode switch that enables the use of three Avid Pro Tools HDX PCIe cards and features dual Noctua cooling fans for ultra-quiet operation.
xMac Studio / Echo I:
- This model incorporates an Echo I expansion module (the same one used in Sonnet's Echo I Desktop and DuoModo expansion systems); features one x16 PCIe 3.0 slot; supports a single full-height, full-length, single- or double-width PCIe card; and connects it to the computer's Thunderbolt port via an included Thunderbolt (40Gbps) cable. The module integrates a universal 400W power supply and includes a 150W auxiliary power connector for non-GPU cards that require extra power. It also features dual Noctua cooling fans for ultra-quiet operation. The module is ideal for use with adapter cards that require Thunderbolt's full PCIe signal bandwidth for maximum performance.
Here's what Sonnet says:
Mac Studio computers offer phenomenal processing power, outperform computers multiple times their size and price, and provide a lot of ports for connecting peripherals. But on their own, they're not ideal for every user. Integrating a Mac Studio — designed to sit on a desk — into a rack to support many professional workflows poses challenges, and the lack of internal expansion card slots found in tower desktop computers limits its connectivity and capabilities. Sonnet's RackMac Studio and xMac Studio address these issues through intelligent design.
RackMac Studio and xMac Studio enclosures secure Mac Studio computers without trapping them in hot, recirculating rack air, enabling them to stay as cool in a rack as out on a desk. Both enclosures are ruggedized and utilize firm rubber cushions that securely hold the computers in place during transport, making the Sonnet solutions ideal for use in molded rack cases, fly racks, or most any travel rack to make Mac Studio computers mobile. Because they feature front panels secured with thumbscrews, RackMac Studio and Mac Studio allow computers to be installed or removed without the need for tools.
For more than 10 years, Sonnet's Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion products and computer mounting solutions have enabled users to overcome limitations in connectivity and adaptability with the computers often favored by pro audio and video users. The Echo III and Echo I models' ability to connect specialty PCIe cards to computers lacking card slots is integral to enabling countless workflows.
Pricing: The xMac Studio/Echo III (part number XMAC-STD-III), xMac Studio/Echo I (part number XMAC-STD-I), and xMac Studio/No Module (part number XMAC-STD-0) will begin shipping from Sonnet the week of September 26, 2022, and soon after from its worldwide distribution and reseller partners at suggested retail prices of $1,649.99, $1,249.99, and $549.99, respectively. RackMac Studio (part number RACK-STD-2X) will be available from Sonnet the week of October 24 and soon after from its worldwide distribution and reseller partners at a suggested retail price of $449.99.
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