Sonnet recently unveiled its Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt adapter. It can be used with PCs like the latest Apple iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models which are integrated with a Thunderbolt port.
This ExpressCard/34 adapter claims to provide users with extra connectivity and functionality which is more than what is available through their computers’ stock configuration. It supports almost all PCIe-based Sonnet professional ExpressCard/34 adapters and also specialty adapters of other manufacturers.
“The Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter gives users tremendous flexibility to connect a wide range of peripheral devices through the Thunderbolt port on their computers. In a single Thunderbolt Adapter they gain the potential to add connectivity to their computer, whether increasing the number of ports, incorporating new interfaces, or simply using devices they couldn’t have otherwise been able to connect through a Thunderbolt port. Support for hot plugging and swapping of ExpressCard/34 cards gives them the flexibility to change interfaces and devices when needed,†stated Robert Farnsworth, CEO of Sonnet Technologies.
The device is capable of supporting Sonnet ExpressCard adapters such as CompactFlash, SDXC UHS-I Card readers, FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 and certain eSATA ones. It can also accommodate ExpressCard adapters supplied with specialty devices like the company’s line of Qio professional media readers and the AJA io Express.
Enabled to support PCI Express 2.0 technology with 5Gbps throughput in both directions, this adapter has been developed by Intel and brought to market via technical collaboration from Apple. Its Thunderbolt technology makes it capable of delivering reportedly high-performance data services and high-resolution displays through a compact port.
The Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt adapter will be available from the end of October for a price of $149.95 (Rs.6, 899)
