Sonnet’s Echo™ Express and Echo Express Pro Now Shipping

Expansion Chassis Enable Users to Connect High-Performance PCIe Cards to Thunderbolt-Enabled Computers Without Expansion Slots

IRVINE, CA—June 13, 2012—Sonnet today announced that its Echo Express and Echo Express Pro Thunderbolt Expansion Chassis for PCIe Cards are now shipping and available for purchase. The two devices enable the use of high-performance PCI Express® adapter cards with any computer equipped with a Thunderbolt port.

“Today's ultra-light notebooks, minis, and all-in-one desktop computers now have tremendous processing power that was previously available only in full-size desktop computers.  But many professionals need more than just processing power – they need expansion slots for installing specialty PCIe cards to connect various video and audio inputs, process data, and connect to high-speed storage and networks,” said Greg LaPorte, vice president of sales and marketing at Sonnet. “With our Echo Express and Echo Express Pro chassis, our customers can take advantage of the groundbreaking performance of Thunderbolt technology to connect high-performance expansion cards to their computers without expansion slots.”

The standard Echo Express supports one half-length (up to 7.75" long), full-height, double-width, x16 (x4 mode) PCIe 2.0 card, while the Pro model supports two standard-width, full-length cards, or one double-width, full-length card; both models support an I/O bracket. The standard model includes a built-in 100W universal power supply, and the Echo Express Pro includes an integrated 150W universal power supply. Both systems enable the use of compatible full-size professional video capture, audio interface, SAS & SATA HBA, 8Gb Fibre Channel, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and RAID controller cards with iMac®, Mac® mini, MacBook® Air and MacBook Pro computers. Both systems are backed with Sonnet’s Pro Series 5-year warranty.

Echo Express and Echo Express Pro require the use of Thunderbolt-compatible PCIe expansion cards. Compatible cards fall into numerous categories including pro audio, Ethernet, Fibre Channel, SAS/SATA RAID controllers, video capture and editing, with the list, available on Sonnet’s web site, continually expanding as more cards are tested and certified.

Echo Express (part number ECHO-EXP1H) and Echo Express Pro (part number ECHO-EXP2F) are available for USD $599 and $799, respectively. More information on the products and compatible PCIe expansion cards is available at www.sonnettech.com/product/echoexpresschassis.html

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About Sonnet Technologies
Sonnet Technologies Inc. is a leader in providing storage systems, media readers, expansion cards, and Thunderbolt™ technology PCIe expansion products for professional users of Mac®, Windows®, and UNIX® systems in the film, video, and broadcast industries. Sonnet’s line of Thunderbolt expansion products enables the use of video capture and editing, audio interface, RAID controller, and other high-performance PCIe cards with mini, portable, and all-in-one computers. The company’s storage product line features a range of high-performance, cost-effective, and reliable desktop and rackmount RAID storage solutions ranging from two- and four-drive portable units, to eight- and 16-drive desktop attached storage with advanced RAID controllers, to 16-drive, 16-port, 8Gb Fibre Channel shared storage systems that are expandable to 512TB. Celebrating 26 years in business, Sonnet has pioneered and brought to market numerous innovative solutions that enhance the performance and connectivity of Mac, Windows, and other industry-standard computers. More information on Sonnet and its products is available at www.sonnettech.com.

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