Development and Creation
Intel developed Thunderbolt technology with significant input from Apple. The two companies worked together to create a new type of connection that could transfer data and display video at very high speeds. Thunderbolt was based on existing technology standards but combined them in a new way to make faster connections possible.
First Release
Thunderbolt was first released to the public in 2011 with Apple's MacBook Pro computers. This made Apple one of the first manufacturers to use the technology. The original Thunderbolt had a speed of 10 Gbps, which was very fast for that time.
Evolution of Thunderbolt
Since its introduction, Thunderbolt has been updated several times. Thunderbolt 2 came out in 2013 and doubled the speed to 20 Gbps. Thunderbolt 3, released in 2015, increased speed to 40 Gbps and used the USB-C connector, making it more widely compatible with other devices.
Uses and Applications
Thunderbolt is used to connect computers to external hard drives, displays, cameras, and other devices. Professionals who work with video, photography, and audio especially value Thunderbolt because it can move large files very quickly. Today, Thunderbolt ports are found on many laptops and desktop computers from various manufacturers.