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Thunderbolt...

slugg

slugg

Diamond Member
Alright so Apple didn't think USB 3 was important enough to include in the most recent refresh, but they did include Thunderbolt. In theory, this port looks like it could be pretty awesome. So when are we supposed to see Thunderbolt enabled devices?

What devices would you like to see?

Personally, I'd like to see a docking station. I'd like to plug my Thunderbolt port into said device, then magically have my two monitors, speakers, network, mouse, external hard drive (eSATA or USB 3 maybe?), and keyboard come to life. It'd be super nice to only have to plug in the power cable and one port. Thunderbolt has the bandwidth of 4 PCI-E lanes, in addition so separate display-port circuitry, so I don't see why this wouldn't be possible.

There's one important factor, though. I don't want to have to purchase new "Thunderbolt Enabled" monitors. I want to be able to use my old monitors with DVI input. Let's hope that such device will exist.
 
It carries the displayport signal, and all the old adapters still work, so assuming someone didn't leave out the circuitry for DVI or anything else it should be all good.

I envision a simple hub box thing. A single Thunderbolt cable (and maybe external power), and it will have a USB hub built in (assuming that TB-USB allows for hubs), maybe a couple of firewire ports (for daisychaining), 2 DVI (or displayport) ports, and eSATA. If the bandwidth allows for it, or they put a second TB port on the system, also throw a TB port on there for daisychaining that too.
 
slugg said:
Alright so Apple didn't think USB 3 was important enough to include in the most recent refresh, but they did include Thunderbolt. In theory, this port looks like it could be pretty awesome. So when are we supposed to see Thunderbolt enabled devices?

What devices would you like to see?

Personally, I'd like to see a docking station. I'd like to plug my Thunderbolt port into said device, then magically have my two monitors, speakers, network, mouse, external hard drive (eSATA or USB 3 maybe?), and keyboard come to life. It'd be super nice to only have to plug in the power cable and one port. Thunderbolt has the bandwidth of 4 PCI-E lanes, in addition so separate display-port circuitry, so I don't see why this wouldn't be possible.

There's one important factor, though. I don't want to have to purchase new "Thunderbolt Enabled" monitors. I want to be able to use my old monitors with DVI input. Let's hope that such device will exist.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be surprised if that's Apple's eventual goal with Thunderbolt. One I/O port to rule them all. Just like the universal dock connector on the iDevices. Makes sense in a way, but Apple's tendency to make everything proprietary sucks the fun out of it.
 
mmntech said:
I wouldn't be surprised if that's Apple's eventual goal with Thunderbolt. One I/O port to rule them all. Just like the universal dock connector on the iDevices. Makes sense in a way, but Apple's tendency to make everything proprietary sucks the fun out of it.
Click to expand...

The 30pin dock connector is proprietary sure, but I am honestly having trouble remembering the last piece of hardware of their's that was. I guess the MiniDVI jack was, I don't think anyone else used that. But MiniDP is a royalty free and part of the DisplayPort standard, and so is this ThunderBolt connector. The SSDs in the MBAs are odd looking, but they are standard mSATA. (or maybe uSATA)
 
TheStu said:
The 30pin dock connector is proprietary sure, but I am honestly having trouble remembering the last piece of hardware of their's that was. I guess the MiniDVI jack was, I don't think anyone else used that. But MiniDP is a royalty free and part of the DisplayPort standard, and so is this ThunderBolt connector. The SSDs in the MBAs are odd looking, but they are standard mSATA. (or maybe uSATA)
Click to expand...

Yea, I think the Dock connector is something they stick with because it's a standard to them now... but that's been what, 10 years now? So I'm hoping they've left that in the past and will now focus on open standards that don't have licensing fees. So far, so good.

I'm really excited to possibly be able to have a central hub for all my external devices. I hate that when I plug in my Macbook, I have to plug in tons of extra USB attachments (keyboard, mouse, HD, printer, displays, etc...). I'd love to have one connector (a la a Dock) that I could plug in when using it at my desk. 😀

Plus I'm betting that the newer Radeons can handle two external displays easily, if Thunderbolt would allow for that amount of bandwidth.
 
I'm not sure where I read it, but I remember reading that the 15 and 17 inch mbp's can drive 2 monitors through the Thunderbolt port. The problem is the lack of Thunderbolt accessories at the moment. And like I said, if I can't use my existing DVI monitors, I won't be happy. I know it's possible with a *single* monitor, but no mention in the case of 2.
 
Kmax82 said:
Yea, I think the Dock connector is something they stick with because it's a standard to them now... but that's been what, 10 years now? So I'm hoping they've left that in the past and will now focus on open standards that don't have licensing fees. So far, so good.

I'm really excited to possibly be able to have a central hub for all my external devices. I hate that when I plug in my Macbook, I have to plug in tons of extra USB attachments (keyboard, mouse, HD, printer, displays, etc...). I'd love to have one connector (a la a Dock) that I could plug in when using it at my desk. 😀

Plus I'm betting that the newer Radeons can handle two external displays easily, if Thunderbolt would allow for that amount of bandwidth.
Click to expand...

I use this
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Dynado.../dp/B001H9O73O

drives 2 external displays, using an intel integrated GPU. works quite well actually. With thunderbolt's bandwisth it would be phenomenal.

ps there's also a wireless version of the above dock. OMG its awesome
 
Lots of stuff coming down the pipe with this interface. If I recall correctly its the bandwidth of a pci-e 8x slot and it can carry firewire, usb, sata and dvi signals down 1 single cable.

In pro audio and semi pro audio lots of new interfaces will be coming out with this. A lot of dsp systems (protools hd) could function with this system.

A magma pci to pci-e expansion chassis with 6 hd dsp cards uses a pci-e 4x bandwidth and I think its actually only using 1x slot.

So in the world of pro audio video we are excited by the possibilities.
 
slugg said:
Alright so Apple didn't think USB 3 was important enough to include in the most recent refresh, but they did include Thunderbolt. In theory, this port looks like it could be pretty awesome. So when are we supposed to see Thunderbolt enabled devices?

What devices would you like to see?

Personally, I'd like to see a docking station. I'd like to plug my Thunderbolt port into said device, then magically have my two monitors, speakers, network, mouse, external hard drive (eSATA or USB 3 maybe?), and keyboard come to life. It'd be super nice to only have to plug in the power cable and one port. Thunderbolt has the bandwidth of 4 PCI-E lanes, in addition so separate display-port circuitry, so I don't see why this wouldn't be possible.

There's one important factor, though. I don't want to have to purchase new "Thunderbolt Enabled" monitors. I want to be able to use my old monitors with DVI input. Let's hope that such device will exist.
Click to expand...

Apple absolutely needs a docking station. imo, this is one of the major roadblocks to their acceptance in the business world. Even our cheapo Dell laptops at work now offer a dual-DVI docking station, optionally with a monitor stand built-in. I really don't know why they haven't offered one before...
 
Kaido said:
Apple absolutely needs a docking station. imo, this is one of the major roadblocks to their acceptance in the business world. Even our cheapo Dell laptops at work now offer a dual-DVI docking station, optionally with a monitor stand built-in. I really don't know why they haven't offered one before...
Click to expand...

My old Dell laptop had a great docking station.

I love my MacBook, but I miss having a docking station that I can just slide the computer into and be done.

MotionMan
 
A Hengedock is a glorified cable holder. It's pricey for what it is, but is a good stopgap for those of us who want a docking station for older machines.
 
Pandamonium said:
A Hengedock is a glorified cable holder. It's pricey for what it is, but is a good stopgap for those of us who want a docking station for older machines.
Click to expand...

Aren't most docking stations glorified cable holders?

The Henge Dock would not work for me because I use the my MacBook screen in a dual-screen set up.

MotionMan
 
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