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Intel Expands Thunderbolt Networking with PC Support for Ultra-Fast Connections

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Intel today updated its Thunderbolt connectivity with Thunderbolt Networking, allowing a PC and a Mac to be paired for the first time using a Thunderbolt cable, enabling fast file sharing with a throughput of up to 10 Gbps.

Drivers in Mavericks have allowed two Macs to connect via Thunderbolt since the operating system was released in 2013, but now a Mac can also be paired with a PC or two PCs can be paired with one another.

intelthunderbolt

Thunderbolt Networking, emulating an Ethernet connection environment, provides 10GbE throughput between two computers. Already released on the Mac with OS X Mavericks*, a PC driver will soon be available to connect two PCs together or a PC to a Mac, adding a new level of workflow flexibility for media professionals. By offering simple and fast file sharing, Thunderbolt Networking enables backup or upgrade across two computers like never before, using existing cables and connectors.

Connecting two computers via Thunderbolt is similar to connecting them via standard Ethernet, but the file transfer speeds are far faster with the former. Intel is currently demoing Thunderbolt Networking at NAB 2014 and expects to release the PC driver soon.

Top Rated Comments

156 months ago
This will be great for all my PC's with Thunderbolt ports. </sarcasm>
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
156 months ago
This is great, the more visibility thunderbolt gets in the PC space, the more devices will be made, the more mass produced the cables etc will be, the lower the prices will be.

I'm just waiting for a cheap thunderbolt hard drive caddy to become available. £1k+ on a Promise is far too much.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
156 months ago
Great news, we can no move off the PCs even faster to the Mac. Yeehaw!

:D:cool::p
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dozer_Zaibatsu Avatar
156 months ago
Wow. I literally have my iMac plugged in right now to my NUC via Thunderbolt. I guess I am of the small minority who has actually been waiting for this to happen.

So this is what it feels like to belong to the "1%" of something.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
156 months ago
Awesome. Will be even better once the price of cables drops.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Atlantico Avatar
156 months ago
How many Pcs have thunderbolt though?

I've seen some PC laptops include Thunderbolt, but to be honest, Thunderbolt seems to be the new FireWire. For better or worse. :apple:
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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