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Asus Unveils 2025 XG Mobile: A Game-Changing Portable Docking Station

This sleek, smoky black device doesn’t fall into the traditional gaming PC category; rather, it’s poised to be the most advanced single-cable portable docking station available. The newly introduced 2025 Asus XG Mobile aims to enhance your laptop or handheld device by integrating Nvidia’s powerful GeForce RTX 5090 mobile graphics chip, offering up to 140 watts of power, supporting dual monitors, and providing a hub for USB and SD card connections, all while facilitating 5Gbps ethernet access at the same time.

The 2025 XG Mobile’s ports, alongside a standard AC power connector, integrate the power source within the device itself. Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

In terms of recognizing advancements, this marks what appears to be the first portable external GPU (eGPU) that adheres to universal standards while featuring an Nvidia graphics processor. The previous model, Asus’ last-gen XG Mobile, utilized an Nvidia 4090 chip but required a unique port compatible only with select Asus models. Competing options using USB4 and Oculink typically showcased AMD’s Radeon 7600M XT instead.

Although it may not clinch the title of the most powerful eGPU on the market—details on performance specs have yet to be released—it certainly holds its own. Users seeking higher benchmarks may still consider larger docking solutions capable of accommodating desktop GPUs. However, according to Asus representative Anthony Spence, the Thunderbolt 5 connection provides an impressive bandwidth of up to 64Gbps for the Nvidia graphics, matching Oculink and surpassing USB4 capabilities. It’s also noteworthy that Asus has ingeniously integrated a 350W power supply right into a device weighing under 2.2 pounds, complete with a fold-out kickstand for convenience.

Asus boasts that this model is 25 percent lighter and 18 percent smaller than its predecessor. It supports HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 for video outputs and includes two 10Gbps USB-A ports for additional connectivity.

Notably, the product is designed to include a small vertical stand.

Anticipating its launch in the first quarter of 2025, prospective buyers should prepare for a premium price. The top-tier XG Mobile, featuring the RTX 5090, is expected to retail for $2,199.99, a sum that could potentially yield more powerful fixed solutions if building a custom setup. Additionally, Asus will offer a more budget-friendly alternative priced at $1,199.99, which will feature the Nvidia mobile RTX 5070 Ti. Thus, customers should be mindful that they are investing in compact capabilities rather than the utmost performance.

The illuminated Asus ROG logo features programmable RGB through Aura Sync technology, with a top-mounted SD card slot easily visible. Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Compatibility extends to any Thunderbolt 4 or USB4-enabled laptop or handheld devices, including Asus’ ROG Ally X. However, to maximize the GPU’s bandwidth, a Thunderbolt 5 connection is recommended. As Thunderbolt 5 devices become more commonplace, developers of lightweight laptops in 2025 may embrace this technology, providing a robust travel-ready desktop experience.

Source
www.theverge.com