Intel has unveiled its Thunderbolt Share expertise, which makes use of the bandwidth on provide from Thunderbolt 4 and 5 ports to share and sync knowledge, and management two PCs with one keyboard and mouse.
It is not the primary approach to hyperlink two PCs. I’ve used crossover cables in years previous, and I recall utilizing a USB hyperlink machine a couple of decade again, however this methodology appears to be like like it is going to be the best method but to hyperlink two PCs collectively. It is not fairly a plug and play answer although, as it would want a software program app to work.
At its most simple, Thunderbolt Share is a good way to share knowledge between two computer systems that may get rid of the necessity to use flash drives or exterior laborious drives to switch knowledge. It helps drag and drop performance, and automated folder sync. I actually like the thought of utilizing this to switch Steam backups between benchmarking methods!
Past knowledge sharing, Thunderbolt Share helps distant entry, so you possibly can management a second PC utilizing one monitor, keyboard and mouse. It helps display sharing at as much as 1080p at 60fps. Assist for 1440p or 4K could be good, however that is one thing that might come sooner or later.
Thunderbolt Share might be licensed with Thunderbolt equipment. Docks could be probably the most logical instance, whereas issues like displays with a number of Thunderbolt ports may use it too. Because it’s an Intel expertise, and separate from USB4, AMD house owners look like out of luck, at the least for now.
Intel emphasizes the safety elements of Thunderbolt Share. It helps VT-d and Home windows Consumer Entry Management. And, sharing knowledge over a cable is inherently safer than utilizing WiFi, a large space community or the cloud.
Aside from a few assessments with exterior GPUs in years previous, I’ve by no means used a Thunderbolt machine on any of my residence methods. I fairly like how this sounds, and this is perhaps the primary time I think about using Thunderbolt on a day-to-day foundation. We’ll have to attend and see simply how the app performs in follow earlier than giving it the thumbs up although.
Intel says Thunderbolt Share can be supplied on choose PCs and equipment beginning within the second half of 2024. Lenovo, Acer, MSI, Razer, Kensington, Belkin, Promise, Plugable, OWC and others are on board, with extra bulletins to return.