External graphics solutions for notebook systems aren't entirely new technology, but they're rarely found readily available. One of the very first to hit retail, says Fujitsu Siemens, is its AMILO GraphicBooster.
The AMILO GraphicBooster, pictured below, is an external unit that plugs into the AMILO Notebook Sa 3650 to provide additional graphics oomph - it hasn't yet been confirmed if it'll work with any other notebook.
Measuring 18cm x 13cm x 3.35cm, it houses a 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 graphics card - enough to provide a 470 per cent graphics performance boost on the aforementioned notebook, which itself features an on-board ATI Radeon HD 3200.
In addition to providing more graphics power, the GraphicBooster also expands on connectivity. The unit features DVI and HDMI connectors, allowing users to connect three external displays to their notebook, and there's a pair of USB ports for attaching keyboards and mice.
There's no mention of pricing, but Fujitsu Siemens expects availability in December '08, and it'll be interesting to see just how well the unit fares. External boxes such as this could be just what the increasingly-popular netbook needs when used at home.
Official press release: The dynamic duo from Fujitsu Siemens Computers