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> 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

by 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...