Hewlett - Packard consider using Intel ’s Thunderbolt interconnect in new background PCs announced Monday , but is sticking with USB 3.0 because of wide-cut backing , a caller official aver .
“ We did look at [ Thunderbolt ] . We ’re still looking into it . Have n’t found a economic value proposition yet , ” said Xavier Lauwaert , worldwide merchandising manager for desktops at HP .
Thunderbolt is a high - speed interconnect that can transfer information between boniface computers and external devices such as displays and storage devices at pep pill of up to 10 gigabits per minute . The engineering has been viewed as an option to USB 3.0 , but twist such as external entrepot drives and monitors based on the interconnect are not yet available .
HP announced three new serial of desktop PCs on Monday , let in one that can be configured to include USB 3.0 ports , the Pavilion HPE H8 serial .
Lauwaert said HP did n’t see value in including Thunderbolt in desktops . “ On the personal computer side , everybody seems to be content with the expansion of USB 3.0 . Do we need to go into more fancy solutions ? Not convinced yet , ” Lauwaert order .
Intel spring up Thunderbolt with Apple , which is offering the port in itsMacBook ProandiMaclines . Other microcomputer makers backing the technology let in Sony .
Thunderbolt currently supports the PCI Express and DisplayPort protocols , which facilitate reduce the number of connectors postulate to bond peripheral to computers . Intel insists Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 are completing applied science , and has said it will build splintering sets with support for both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt start next twelvemonth .
Intel plans to open up Thunderbolt development this fourth part , and is also working with partners to germinate products as it tries to build out an ecosystem around the interconnect . LaCie andWestern Digitalhave demonstrated portable computer memory products , but are not yet sell devices . companionship such as Canon , AJA , BlackMagic , Matrox and Sonnet have herald musical accompaniment for Thunderbolt .
The Pavilion HPE H8 series , priced start at $ 599 , is available with either Intel ’s latest Core processor or chips from Advanced Micro Devices . The serial is also available with freestanding graphics cards from Nvidia or Advanced Micro Devices .
HP also announced the Pavilion P7 serial of budget desktops starting at $ 299 , and the Slimline S5 serial , desktops about half the size of steady tugboat PCs , priced come out at $ 329 .
The P7 and H8 desktop include a feature called LinkUp , in which virtualization software program help user directly get at files on a distant computer over a Wi - Fi connection . A user can operate a remote PC through a window on a master of ceremonies personal computer , and simulate files from one microcomputer to another by dragging and dropping .
LinkUp is a match - to - compeer system designed to connect Windows PCs , Lauwaert said . The technology behind LinkUp has been adapt from virtualization technology develop by HP ’s server group . PCs on both ends require specific software to be installed to ground a direct connection .
LinkUp is also an early manifestation of the society ’s foresightful - terminus swarm plan , Lauwaert said . HP CEO Leo Apotheker in March mapped out the company ’s succeeding cloud computing scheme , under which the WebOS program would be used to aid computing devices such as microcomputer , tablets and smartphones apportion file cabinet and content well .
The current LinkUp technology does not connect PCs to devices unravel WebOS , which HP says will ultimately become available on microcomputer . HP has already introduced the TouchPad pad with WebOS 3.0 , but a party spokeswoman declined to provide further information on when WebOS would be on personal computer .
