Mentioning Thunderbolt technology and interfaces may be familiar to many digital hardware enthusiasts, but they might not be very well-acquainted with it.
Thunderbolt is a high-speed interface technology introduced by Intel in 2011, combining PCI Express (PCIe) data transfer technology and DisplayPort display technology, allowing for high-bandwidth data and video signal transmission on a single interface.
Initially, Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 supported dual-channel 10Gbps bandwidth each way. In 2015, Thunderbolt 3 was released, increasing the bandwidth to 40Gbps. In 2020, Thunderbolt 4 was introduced with the same 40Gbps bandwidth but with optimizations in compatibility and other aspects. In 2023, Thunderbolt 5 was released, offering 80Gbps bidirectional bandwidth and featuring bandwidth enhancement capabilities for up to 120Gbps bandwidth.
Now, there’s good news: Thunderbolt interfaces have a new application. On May 15th, Intel officially launched Thunderbolt Share software. This software enables simple, fast, and efficient sharing of screens, keyboards, mice, storage, and files between two PCs using the speed and performance of Thunderbolt technology.
The typical applications and features of Thunderbolt Share include controlling one computer with another, synchronizing folders, drag-and-drop file transfers, and migrating data from old to new computers.
Compared to other solutions, Thunderbolt technology has several advantages. It uses cables to connect two computers instead of wired or wireless networks, thus not consuming network bandwidth and avoiding network lag. More importantly, it provides a better overall experience with lower latency, smoother operation, and faster response times.
To experience and use this feature, users’ PCs must meet the following requirements:
- At least one PC or Thunderbolt accessory must have a Thunderbolt Share license from the manufacturer, and both PCs must have Thunderbolt Share software installed.
- Both PCs must have Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5 interfaces.
- The operating system must be Windows 10 or Windows 11, with support for other operating systems planned for the future.
- Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5 dedicated cables must be used.
- For Intel graphics card drivers, the version must be 0.101.4826 or above.
It’s worth emphasizing that although Intel has announced Thunderbolt Share software, it’s not yet available for download and is expected to be released in June this year.
To be honest, many hardware and software solutions are offering similar functionalities, and competition is fierce. However, Intel has numerous advantages and significant influence in the industry. Intel has stated that in the second half of the year, they will collaborate with multiple partners to promote Thunderbolt Share technology, anticipating even fiercer competition in the market in the future.
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