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I recently read about Apple’s Thunderbolt. Not knowing much about it, I did some poking around on their Web site. I can’t say I am any further ahead in seeing the demand and use in the marketplace, or everyday computing – you know, the kind the average person does that’s just beyond email and word processing.
Here’s the brief description:
“Thunderbolt is a revolutionary I/O technology that supports high-resolution displays and high-performance data devices through a single, compact port. It sets new standards for speed, flexibility, and simplicity. And it’s on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini.”
I also appreciate the historical perspective shown as: “Intel co-invented USB and PCI Express, which have become widely adopted technologies for data transfer. Apple invented FireWire and was instrumental in popularizing USB. Their collective experience has made Thunderbolt the most powerful, most flexible I/O technology ever in a personal computer.”
FireWire? Ah, yes, that port on my (Windows) desktop that has never been used from many moons ago. My many other USB ports get plenty of attention and demand, but poor ol’ Mr. FireWire is as lonely as the old Maytag Repairman. Oh, the grandiose capability that has never had a crackle of energy put across its wires.
So, that has me thinking. What good can come from Apple’s Thunderbolt? That’s what I love at the bottom of the page on the Apple website. They say “Thunderbolt-ready devices. Soon you’ll be able to connect to a host of Thunderbolt-enabled devices.1 Here are just a few of the first:” Take special note of the numeric 1 (one) in that summary: "1. Please check with manufacturers for availability."
Your turn (realistic stories, please). Tell me more about this new, faster than fast can be, I/O technology and how you plan to incorporate it in your daily computing use.
Oops! I forgot to add this little side note. This all came to light as I began to consider a new MacBook Air. Yep, it came to me in a nice and tight email advertisement from Apple; oh, how it looked so good. But, as soon as I clicked through and saw the pricing, I said, “Pity-party time; tough economy and all, not this year.”
