NAB: Akitio Node Lite Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Box for Mac and Windows

Akitio unveiled their Thunderbolt 3 PCIe box, the Node Lite.

This Node Lite is an upgraded version of the Thunder2 PCIe Box. It features PCIe Gen 3, which provides improved performance when using PCIe cards such as video capture cards, RAID cards, NVMe SSD storage, 10GbE and even 40GbE network cards. It is compatible with both macOS and Windows computers, making it the companion for the 2016 MacBook Pro as well as Thunderbolt 3 Windows PC’s.

Node Lite rear

The Node Lite features the same compact, tool-less design as the Thunder2 PCIe Box in a stylish space gray outer case. Inside the case, it features two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which can be used to daisy chain other Thunderbolt 3 devices as well as USB3-Type C devices. Another addition is a DisplayPort version 1.2 port which can be used to connect an additional 4K@60Hz monitor.

Click to enlarge

The Thunderbolt 3 Node Lite combines the PCIe Gen3 bandwidth with the 40Gb/s Thunderbolt 3 interface, which improves the performance of newer PCIe cards. The Thunderbolt3/USB3 Type-C ports on it also provide 15W of power to help charge the laptop that it is connected to.

“The Node Lite was designed for creative professionals and others who need to use a variety of PCIe cards,” said Richard Wright, VP, sales and marketing, Akitio. “The revolutionary 40Gb/s bandwidth is essential for many of the new video capture cards as well as new network cards used by professionals in the audio/video, photography and various other creative fields. The strong adoption of Thunderbolt 3 in the latest generation of PCs as well as the new Apple MacBook Pro line-up means that more and more people will be in need of external PCIe solutions such as the Node Lite.“

The Node Lite will be available in late 2Q17 for $269.99