Now that macOS supports native eGPU support in the beta version of High Sierra, it’s possible to drive external graphics using a MacBook Pro or iMac via Thunderbolt 3. To support development needs, Apple is selling a special $599 External Graphics Development Kit directly to developers.

Josh Farkas, CEO of Cubicle Ninjas, received an External Graphics Development Kit and subsequently tweeted his unboxing. The kit includes a Sonnet eGPU box, an AMD Radeon RX 580 and a Belkin USB hub.

As noted in our hands-on post with High Sierra’s native eGPU support, the $599 bundle is a fair price when you consider how much each component costs individually. RX-series cards are also hard to come by at the current time. Most units seem to be on backorder, and those that are available are selling for a much higher price than normal.

It is worth noting, however, that you don’t have to purchase the Apple-provided kit in order to take advantage of official eGPU support in High Sierra. You can use any supported graphics card, along with a supported eGPU box like the Akitio Node.

There is a reported advantage to using Sonnet’s box, though, as it’s noted for being particularly quiet. Fan noise is something that I’ve complained about with other eGPU boxes.

Breakaway Box exterior and insides. pic.twitter.com/vQF5NegZ6K — Josh Farkas (@JoshuaFarkas) June 8, 2017

Apple’s kit includes a Sonnet eGFX Breakaway unit, which is more than capable enough to drive the Sapphire-branded RX 580 that it includes along with it.

I’m a fan of Sapphire’s RX-series cards, having used a Sapphire-branded RX 480 in an eGPU build that I tested earlier this year.

< insert tense music here > pic.twitter.com/0auYgO7eNZ — Josh Farkas (@JoshuaFarkas) June 8, 2017

To set up the kit, remove the cover on the Sonnet box, install the GPU into the PCIe slot, replace the cover, and connect the power connection and Thunderbolt 3 connections. Remember that you’ll need to be running the macOS High Sierra beta in order to unlock the GPU using official means.

Plop the card in and secure. Now to install macOS 10.13 beta! pic.twitter.com/rhN4iRHjny — Josh Farkas (@JoshuaFarkas) June 8, 2017

Be sure to watch our hands-on video walkthrough, where I test eGPU support on my 2016 MacBook Pro using the Akitio Node.

What do you think about Apple’s External Graphics Development Kit? Do you think it’s a good deal for $599?

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: