3 ms·

I can't seem to find an answer to this in the materials - is this optical or copper? Light Peak was supposed to be optical, but the Wikipedia page has unsubstan

by cal5k 16y ago

I can't seem to find an answer to this in the materials - is this optical or copper? Light Peak was supposed to be optical, but the Wikipedia page has unsubstantiated claims of it initially being copper.

maggit 16y ago
> Electrical or optical cables From http://www.intel.com/technology/io/thunderbolt/index.htm http://www.intel.com/technology/io/thunderbolt/index.htm I don't know what that means though. Does the newly released MBP support both or only one?
- jlazarow 16y ago
  Light Peak right now is only copper. Optical will be added in the future most likely.
  - maggit 16y ago
    I'd like to read about this. Is there an available document explaining why? Or do you know the reason? (Not that I hate copper or anything, it is just that they designed it for fiber from the beginning and then suddenly bailed out)
    - gamble 16y ago
      Same reason why every interface standard that flirts with optical eventually ends up supporting copper: optical components are more expensive, and over short runs you can get acceptable performance with copper.
      - cal5k 16y ago
        They're also not as flexible a copper...
  - frankus 16y ago
    A which point they'll call it Lightning? Nah, too obvious :)
    - wiredfool 16y ago
      But, Thunder always follows Lightning...
- adolph 16y ago
  Engadget seems to think the MBP will support both at least in theory: Intel will eventually bake the optical transceivers into the cables themselves. http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/24/intel-thunderbolt-a-closer-look/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/24/intel-thunderbolt-a-close...
modeless 16y ago
It's copper for now. I haven't found any confirmation of this, but I believe Intel's strategy for optical is to have the lasers and light detectors built into the cable itself, so that the plug connection is still completely electrical.

3 ms·

I can't seem to find an answer to this in the materials - is this optical or copper? Light Peak was supposed to be optical, but the Wikipedia page has unsubstan

by cal5k 16y ago

maggit 16y ago
> Electrical or optical cables From http://www.intel.com/technology/io/thunderbolt/index.htm http://www.intel.com/technology/io/thunderbolt/index.htm I don't know what that means though. Does the newly released MBP support both or only one?
- jlazarow 16y ago
  Light Peak right now is only copper. Optical will be added in the future most likely.
  - maggit 16y ago
    I'd like to read about this. Is there an available document explaining why? Or do you know the reason? (Not that I hate copper or anything, it is just that they designed it for fiber from the beginning and then suddenly bailed out)
    - gamble 16y ago
      Same reason why every interface standard that flirts with optical eventually ends up supporting copper: optical components are more expensive, and over short runs you can get acceptable performance with copper.
      - cal5k 16y ago
        They're also not as flexible a copper...
  - frankus 16y ago
    A which point they'll call it Lightning? Nah, too obvious :)
    - wiredfool 16y ago
      But, Thunder always follows Lightning...
- adolph 16y ago
  Engadget seems to think the MBP will support both at least in theory: Intel will eventually bake the optical transceivers into the cables themselves. http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/24/intel-thunderbolt-a-closer-look/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/24/intel-thunderbolt-a-close...
modeless 16y ago
It's copper for now. I haven't found any confirmation of this, but I believe Intel's strategy for optical is to have the lasers and light detectors built into the cable itself, so that the plug connection is still completely electrical.