[opendtv] Re: Apple MacBook debuts Thunderbolt I/O
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:01:12 -0500
At 11:30 PM -0500 2/24/11, Richard C. Ramsden wrote:
Thunderbolt, formerly known as Light Peak was originally designed as
an optical interface. I'm not sure what Intel wants, but something
like an external PCI-E interface comes to mind.
Apple jumped on this bandwagon because DisplayPort has been DOA for
consumer electronics.
Intel has been promoting Lightpeak for a year. Assuming collusion
between Intel and Apple is naive at best.
Optical implementation for Thunderbolt are supposedly in the works.
Intel noted that the first products use copper because the cost of
the optical components is prohibitive at this time. But optical
interconnects will be significantly faster than the copper version,
so it is likely that they will start to appear when the component
costs come down.
While Display Port lost out to HDMI in the consumer space. it still
makes great sense for PCs, and Apple has moved to this interconnect
for professional displays, while supporting HDMI for consumer
products like Apple TV; and HDMI adapters are available for Apple
Display Port connectors.
It is clear that Apple and Intel have worked together on this
technology. It is less clear how well it will fare in the PC industry
where bottom line price often drives what is included. Thunderbolt is
a workstation level technology, so I would not expect to see it on
cheap PCs. I would also note that the new Macbook Pros are
workstation class portable machines, and have a very strong following
in the creative world, especially Hollywood.
Regards
Craig
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