Apple released the first accessory that supports Thunderbolt

Earlier this year, Apple released an updated model MacBook Pro (overview) With support Thunderbolt technology, nee known as Intel Light Peak. Released on sale in May, one-piece iMac also we got such a connector.

Despite the integration of this high-speed communication interfaces, the periphery was not for their use until recently. But now, a few days ago, together with firmware update Apple released Thunderbolt company and a special cable Apple Thunderbolt cable. With it, the user can connect to your new iMac or MacBook Pro peripherals that support Thunderbolt technology. Accessory represents a 2-meter cable with Thunderbolt corresponding connectors on both ends. He is now on sale in the US Apple Store for $ 49.

However, in the near future, not only Apple can boast Thunderbolt support in their products. Manufacturer of consumer and professional Sony Electronics announced that its new model VAIO Z notebook will also be equipped with an interface Light Peak / Thunderbolt. It is through the Light Peak to the VAIO Z can be connected to the docking station Power Media Dock with a built-in video card AMD Radeon HD 6650M and the drive to read Blu-ray Disc format. Already in July, the laptop will be in European stores.

Let me remind you that the Thunderbolt technology It provides imposing the information rate - up to 10 Gbit / s. This is much higher than that of other modern interfaces such as USB 3.0, DisplayPort or HDMI. In addition to connecting to the iMac or MacBook Pro peripheral interface Thunderbolt can be used in a mode of Target Disk Mode. This feature is accessing the hard disk of one PC from another, connected via Thunderbolt cable. Finally, thanks to this accessory iMac version 2011 can be used as a display for a MacBook Pro from the last line. [via MacStories]