Intel Teases Thunderbolt I/O Port For Windows PCs

During Intel's Developer Forum, the chip maker showed off some Ultrabook prototypes running on its Haswell-based processor and sporting the high-speed Thunderbolt port. The technology was developed in collaboration with Apple and has so far remained exclusive to Macs. That may change soon as Intel teases that Thunderbolt will be heading to Windows PCs as well.

The blazing fast Thunderbolt connector port boasts up to 10Gbps bi-directional speeds. Intel demoed the port on a Windows 7 PC during the keynote, showing it stream four HD videos simultaneously. The port appears to take the same shape as implemented on Apple's machines, which are identical to the mini-display port. However, there's a chance that the shape could take on the USB port for the Windows PC implementation.

Intel did not give any specific details on the Windows PC implementation of Thunderbolt and also did not reveal an exact timeline. However, both Acer and Asus are planning to launch PCs with the Thunderbolt port sometime in 2012. For more details on the technology, make sure to check out our closer look on Thunderbolt.

[via Thisismynext]