Is it time for a USB replacement?

Is it time to start looking to a new connector for peripherals - a potential replacement for the ubiquitous USB standard?

Intel and Apple certainly seem to think so. they have both thrown their weight behind a new connection standard called Thunderbolt.

Could you be seeing it on your PCs in the near future? And is it worth our Bristol IT support clients considering peripherals with Thunderbolt ports already?

Fast and friendly

First, in a computer world full of acronyms, it's good to have something with a proper name instead. And unlike the obscure choice of 'Bluetooth', the name's meaning is obvious: Thunderbolt sounds like a fast way to transfer data.

And fast it is: data transfer speeds of 10 gigabits per second are possible. That's 20 times as fast as today's predominant USB 2.0 standard.

It compares favourably to the 5Gb/s of connectivity offered by USB 3.0. However, USB's popularity will make it hard to displace in the near future. USB 3.0 ports will be introduced as standard this year on many laptops and PCs, and many mainstream manufacturers haven't jumped on the Thunderbolt bandwagon yet - although Intel and Apple's influence could see them adopt it soon.

Meanwhile, Apple's new line-up of MacBook Pros will be the first computers to feature a Thunderbolt port. They'll also have USB, although only the 2.0 version, forcing users to make a choice between speed or familiar convenience.

Intel's USB abstinence is more puzzling, as the company was one of the main proponents of the original USB standard. Instead of throwing its support behind version 3.0, it has put its energies into developing Thunderbolt. The technology was codenamed Light Peak during its development because it was supposed to be based on an optical connection, although it has reverted to copper for the initial introduction of Thunderbolt - the optical breakthrough still being some way off. 

Is Thunderbolt any good?

Is Thunderbolt any good? Well, it offers faster connectivity for sure, and makes things simpler: instead of multiple cables, Thunderbolt can support multiple actions. Intel claims it operates "as if connected peripherals were inside the computer […] due to the incorporation of PCI Express technology that is commonly used inside PCs".

This allows, for example, the fast and simultaneous transfer of HD video and eight channels of audio on the one cable and connection.

If you have found this article helpful and would like to know more, contact our IT support team in Bristol on 01275 398900 for further information.