Intel announced that an optical variant of their current Thunderbolt technology is in the works, which will allow greater cable distances than the current six-meter limit from the copper-version. Intel stated that these new cables would be backwards compatible, meaning the electronics for the transmitting and receiving end would be built into the cable and transparent to the device. The new optical Thunderbolt cable does come at a price though; while it can pass data over longer distances, the increased circuitry will elevate already expensive cables.
Intel announced that an optical variant of their current Thunderbolt technology is in the works, which will allow greater cable distances than the current six-meter limit from the copper-version. Intel stated that these new cables would be backwards compatible, meaning the electronics for the transmitting and receiving end would be built into the cable and transparent to the device. The new optical Thunderbolt cable does come at a price though; while it can pass data over longer distances, the increased circuitry will elevate already expensive cables.
Currently the only devices on the market with Thunderbolt connectors are Apple computers, ranging from the thin and light MacBook Air to larger desktop models. While the connection does boast much greater speeds than eSATA or USB 3.0, its required cables come from a single vendor at a high price; $50 for 2 meters. With licensed circuitry built into each connector on current cables, cheaper third party alternatives aren’t on the market.
Thunderbolt adoption has been slow, even with its advantages over other slower interfaces, specifically for its high cost of ownership. While the port comes at no extra charge on Apple systems, cables aren’t included with devices consumers purchase, like external hard drives. The $50 price tag per cable sways many would-be buyers to FW800 or other alternatives, giving up some speed for lower prices. While the increased cable distance is handy for storage arrays spread out over larger distances, another increase in price will be seen by many as a luxury tax on an already costly interface.
