Magma has launched the ExpressBox4-1U, a 4-slot 8X PCI Express expansion unit in a 1U form factor. The ExpressBox4-1U has bandwidth ratings of 2GB/sec in both transmit and receive modes. It offers plug-and-play installation and supports hot-swapping, daisy chaining and power-up control by the host computer. Four available slots can be used for connecting x1, x4, x8 and x16 PCI Express cards.

The ExpressBox4-1U can be attached to a notebook via an ExpressCard interface. It is tested and qualified for use by both Apple and Sun Microsystems for graphics, FibreChannel, telephony and storage. The unit also carries Sun Solaris Ready certification.

The ExpressBox4-1U requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later. It costs $4635 and ships with an 8X PCI Express host card, cable and chassis.