eGPU acceleration for image processing?

eGPU is dead. Don't buy one. It says right at the top of that support article "To use an eGPU, a Mac with an Intel processor is required."

RKopan wrote:

Reading this <https://support.apple.com/en-us/102363> I find no mention of how Sonoma handles the eGPU;

But it does say, "To use an eGPU, a Mac with an Intel processor is required." Apple doesn't use Intel processors anymore. Apple already considers your MacBook Pro to be "vintage". Don't spend a lot of money on it.

As etresoft stated, Apple has left eGPU behind. No mac released in the last 4 years even supports an eGPU, and there have been 4 OS major versions, all more and more geared to support the Apple Silicon macs. The support was never fully baked, anyway. You risk spending money for nothing.

Even if it works, it is doubtful that you'll see a substantial benefit.

Save that money towards a future mac. Any Apple Silicon mac will run circles around your intel one, with or without an eGPU.