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.

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.

Breakaway Box exterior and insides. pic.twitter.com/vQF5NegZ6K

— Josh Farkas (@JoshuaFarkas) June 8, 2017

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.

pic.twitter.com/KUUy0OFAer

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.

< insert tense music here > pic.twitter.com/0auYgO7eNZ

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

Plop the card in and secure. Now to install macOS 10.13 beta! pic.twitter.com/rhN4iRHjny

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