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Not every standard is targeted to the mass market. TB is a high end niche. Nothing wrong with that. If you need the unique features or capabilities it offers pr

by jsz0 14y ago

Not every standard is targeted to the mass market. TB is a high end niche. Nothing wrong with that. If you need the unique features or capabilities it offers price probably wot be a huge concern. The Mac alone will support this niche. higher end PCs will probably also need to support TB as there really isn't any other high end alternative.

bunderbunder 14y ago
Unfortunately, Apple is trying to force it as a mass market technology. A MacBook Air comes with a Thunderbolt port, but no USB3.
- hej 14y ago
  What? No. Intel doesn't support USB3 yet. USB3 devices aren't even yet widespread. Since space is at a premium in the Airs, Apple obviously doesn't add an extra USB3 chip in them just to support what still is a niche feature. Ivy Bridge does bring USB3 support. If the next generation of MacBooks (coming this summer) doesn't support USB3 you get to make your claim that Apple is trying to force Thunderbolt as a mass market technology. But no second earlier.
  - bunderbunder 14y ago
    Thunderbolt also requires additional hardware. When Ivy Bridge brings built-in USB3, Thunderbolt will still require additional hardware. And Thunderbolt devices aren't nearly as widespread as USB3 ones. (I can go to Target and buy a USB3 memory stick right now; it's not certain that Thunderbolt memory sticks will ever exist.) They tend to cost over twice as much, too.
    - hej 14y ago
      Take a look at the Cinema Display. Thunderbolt is Apple’s docking station replacement. That’s its purpose and it’s awesome. They are pushing Thunderbolt because it’s a perfect solution for a problem Apple has had for a long time. You have to be blind to Apple’s ecosystem to not see that. They are not pushing it to replace USB3. That doesn’t even make sense. When Ivy Bridge MacBooks ship without USB3 you can claim that. No second earlier. Yes, Apple is, like Intel, not enthusiastic about USB3. They don’t think it’s so important to move super fast. It’s just not top-priority. They will add it when it doesn’t cost them much and doesn’t add constraints to their design. But they are not stupid enough to believe that Thunderbolt could replace USB. Both technologies complement each other.

by jsz0 14y ago

bunderbunder 14y ago

Unfortunately, Apple is trying to force it as a mass market technology. A MacBook Air comes with a Thunderbolt port, but no USB3.

hej 14y ago
What? No. Intel doesn't support USB3 yet. USB3 devices aren't even yet widespread. Since space is at a premium in the Airs, Apple obviously doesn't add an extra USB3 chip in them just to support what still is a niche feature. Ivy Bridge does bring USB3 support. If the next generation of MacBooks (coming this summer) doesn't support USB3 you get to make your claim that Apple is trying to force Thunderbolt as a mass market technology. But no second earlier.
- bunderbunder 14y ago
  Thunderbolt also requires additional hardware. When Ivy Bridge brings built-in USB3, Thunderbolt will still require additional hardware. And Thunderbolt devices aren't nearly as widespread as USB3 ones. (I can go to Target and buy a USB3 memory stick right now; it's not certain that Thunderbolt memory sticks will ever exist.) They tend to cost over twice as much, too.
  - hej 14y ago
    Take a look at the Cinema Display. Thunderbolt is Apple’s docking station replacement. That’s its purpose and it’s awesome. They are pushing Thunderbolt because it’s a perfect solution for a problem Apple has had for a long time. You have to be blind to Apple’s ecosystem to not see that. They are not pushing it to replace USB3. That doesn’t even make sense. When Ivy Bridge MacBooks ship without USB3 you can claim that. No second earlier. Yes, Apple is, like Intel, not enthusiastic about USB3. They don’t think it’s so important to move super fast. It’s just not top-priority. They will add it when it doesn’t cost them much and doesn’t add constraints to their design. But they are not stupid enough to believe that Thunderbolt could replace USB. Both technologies complement each other.