With the ROG XG Mobile 2025, Asus is aimed at those who want more power without sacrificing mobility. This small box, which weighs barely 1 kg, contains an Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU in its high-end version. In other words, it can transform a simple laptop into a racing beast capable of handling the most demanding games or complex creative projects.
An external GPU like no other
What sets it apart is its Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. This next-generation standard allows impressive data transfer speeds, up to 80 Gbps. For fans of numbers, this translates into a bandwidth of 64 Gbps dedicated to the GPU, surpassing the performance of USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 models. And good news: unlike its predecessor, this model is compatible with laptops equipped with standard ports Thunderbolt or USB4, and not just those from Asus.
The ROG XG Mobile is more than just an external GPU. It also serves as a docking station with generous connectivity: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 ports for connecting two external displays, an SD card reader, two 10 Gbps USB-A ports, and even a 5 Gbps Ethernet jack. All without a bulky external power supply, thanks to an integrated 350 W charger.
But this arsenal comes at a price. The version equipped with an RTX 5090 is announced at $2,199.99, while a more accessible model, equipped with an RTX 5070 Ti, will be available for $1,199.99. Yes, more powerful alternatives can be found in fixed configurations. But here, it’s the compactness that makes all the difference.
If your laptop has a Thunderbolt 5 port, the ROG XG Mobile 2025 can be a real asset. It allows you to multiply its uses: transforming an ultrabook into a workstation or gaming machine when traveling, for example. However, as Thunderbolt 5 technology is still not widespread, compatible laptops remain rare. However, we can still connect a computer with a Thunderbolt 4 port, but obviously without the benefits of the T5.
Asus is betting on the future by offering a solution that could appeal to professionals looking for a transportable setup, capable of displaying exceptional graphics. It remains to be seen whether the market will follow. Starting with Nvidia, which must deliver its graphics cards in sufficient quantities, and this is perhaps the bottleneck.
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