IT abroad: Thunderbolt technology to be launched on Windows computers in 2012

In 2012 several first-tier Windows PC players will include Thunderbolt high-speed technology in their products.

First Thunderbolt-supported desktop PCs, notebooks and motherboards will appear in April 2012. Among the companies-partners of Intel – Thunderbolt producer, are Sony and Asus, and also producers of motherboards - Gigabyte Technology and ASRock.

At present Thunderbolt chip costs more than US$20, however the cost for adopting Thunderbolt technology is expected to drop in the second half of 2012.

So far Apple is the sole vendor currently to have PC products featuring Thunderbolt technology. In February 2011 the company adopted the technology into its MacBook Pro; later on Thunderbolt appeared in iMac, MacBook Air, Mac Mini and monitors.

Thunderbolt interface ensures data transfer speed equaling 10 Gigabits per sec. with a prospect to reach up to 100 Gigabits per sec.