Apple first to use new Intel Thunderbolt

Data transfer technology doubles USB 3.0 speeds

Intel has revealed that Apple will be the first to use Thunderbolt, its new data transfer technology that doubles the speed of USB 3.0 connections.

Thunderbolt can achieve speeds of 10Gbps - fast enough to transfer a full HD movie in less than 30 seconds - and is available on Apple's new line of Macbook Pros.

"We're thrilled to collaborate with Intel to bring the groundbreaking Thunderbolt technology to Mac users," said Bob Mansfield, Apple's senior vice president of Mac Hardware Engineering.

"With ultra-fast transfer speeds, support for high-resolution displays and compatibility with existing I/O technologies, Thunderbolt is a breakthrough for the entire industry and we think developers are going to have a blast with it."

Thunderbolt was originally supposed to utilise 100Gbps fibre connections. But Intel has opted for cheaper and slower copper links which can be readily adoped by systems manufacturers.

Other manufacturers are expected to follow Apple in integrating Thunderbolt into their products.

Intel still expects to develop Thunderbolt using fibre links in the future, according to the BBC.