ThunderBolt is a technology which many consider to be the successor to the widely popular USB technology. Thunderbolt can be connected to a compatible computer to connect a number of different types of devices including:

• External Displays
• External Storage Devices including Thunderbolt Hard Drives
• More devices to be released – many traditional USB devices could operate over Thunderbolt if a new version was developed.

The advantage of Thunderbolt over USB connectivity is related to throughput speeds. While traditional USB version 2.0 is capable of reaching speeds of up to 480Mbps, and USB 3.0 has a theoretical maximum of more than 10 time faster, at 5.0 Gbps the newly release Thunderbolt technology is capable of reaching speeds of up to 10 Gbps – more than twice that of the still new USB 3.0 technology.

While the name Thunderbolt suggests lightening, which could imply the use of fiber optic cabling – the cabling used is actually copper based. Previous to the release of Thunderbolt speeds of 10 Gbps were typically only achievable over expensive and delicate fiber optic cables.

As with most new technologies, expect Thunderbolt to roll out first in the commercial market, followed by pro-sumer and then consumer goods. Apple has thrown their support behind the technology by including it on both their entry level laptop, the MacBook Air, as well as the MacBook Pro refreshed in 2011. Expect to see further roll outs from Apple, we’re all interested to see the first peripherals come to market that leverage Thunderbolt. Apple also released an updated display which uses Thunderbolt, although it did not offer significant advantage in the peripheral itself aside from allowing you to connect future Thunderbolt devices to the display.