Intel Thunderbolt Coming to Windows PCs in April

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Thunderbolt could become much more available in April as Intel is apparently working with first-tier vendors to integrate the interface in their systems.

Digitimes reports that Thunderbolt-supported motherboards, notebooks and desktop PCs are on their way and are being prepared for an early Q2 launch.

Initially, Thunderbolt carried a cost of more than $20 per device and is prohibitively expensive for most computer systems. The cost may drop in the second half of the year as the technology is adapted on a much broader range, but Intel will have to actively support and drive the technology into the market to make it a success.

Digitimes said that Sony will pick up Thunderbolt and Asustek Computer will, at least, put the technology into its high-end systems. Gigabyte will be launching a Thunderbolt motherboard in April. Intel confirmed in September that Acer and Asustek Computer will introduce Thunderbolt computers in 2012 to begin the breakaway of the interface as an Apple-exclusive technology.

Douglas Perry
25 Comments Comment from the forums
  • warmon6
    Jeez, about time! I was wondering when they would get thunderbolt to others.
    Reply
  • loomis86
    It's not TRUE thunderbolt anymore. Its plain old copper wires instead of fiber optic cables.
    Reply
  • eatfoodnow
    sweet, soon they'll develop some stuff that actually uses thunderbolt now that the technology is being brought to PCs.
    Reply
  • amk09
    Why did they have to go and get us all excited about light-peak last year and now in 2012 we are only getting the watered down version of it :(
    Reply
  • warmon6
    loomis86It's not TRUE thunderbolt anymore. Its plain old copper wires instead of fiber optic cables.
    Yeah, most of us already new that for months now. Intel decided that copper could handle the speed requirement + it's cheaper than optics so they went with that for now.
    Reply
  • iLLz
    loomis86It's not TRUE thunderbolt anymore. Its plain old copper wires instead of fiber optic cables.
    It certainly is TRUE Thunderbolt! It's not TRUE LightPeak. They figured out how to get the full 10Gbps speed on copper so it will be cheaper for us to buy. They won't need the fiber optic cabling until the spec gets bumped to 50 or 100Gbps. Also, I heard you can still get the fiber cabling but it will cost much more.
    Reply
  • SteelCity1981
    So i take it Windows 8 will not support Thunderbolt natively then since their hasn't been any mention about it.
    Reply
  • iamtheking123
    Meh....Firewire: The Sequel. Another port on my computer I won't use.
    Reply
  • nikorr
    I kind of like another option like T-bold.
    Reply
  • DSpider
    The Wikipedia article mentions something about PCI Express compatibility and DisplayPort at the same time: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Thunderbolt

    I wonder if they'll ever come out with some external (upgradable) GPUs which you can also use on laptops, netbooks (maybe even tablets) using this technology. Probably something resembling a HDD rack, but for GPUs. Hmmm...
    Reply