Intel's Light Peak Demo & Why We All Should Care

[Gantua]

Ahh, thought you were a PC only type person.

[No-Fear]

Craig i thought i read somewhere that it was a ripped up imac that they was using...I'm not for sure though

[DNvCross]

The only problem I see with this is that it's not possible to transmit power over an optical line. So things that connect via USB and don't have their own power supply are not going to work with this technology (thinking mice, keyboards, some external HDs, etc) unless they have batteries.

Also, lets not forget that while multiple peripherals -could- be connected via one wire, it's not always practical to do so. My monitor and printer, for instance, have their own data cables currently because they're in different locations on my desk. It wouldn't make sense to have just one cable running to all similar items, then back to my PC.

[Craig]

A little bit more on how Apple and Intel birthed Light Peak

Apple played critical role in creating Intel’s “Light Peak” interface

[Craig]

Originally Posted by DNvCross

The only problem I see with this is that it's not possible to transmit power over an optical line. So things that connect via USB and don't have their own power supply are not going to work with this technology (thinking mice, keyboards, some external HDs, etc) unless they have batteries.

Let's not assume too much here... it is entirely possible that they could run power along with the fiber cable. modern cables of today usually split high and low frequencies into two wraps. in this case, one could be the fiber and one could be the power but they could still use a single connector. much has yet to be learned about this. i'm sure they thought of this hurdle.

Originally Posted by DNvCross

Also, lets not forget that while multiple peripherals -could- be connected via one wire, it's not always practical to do so. My monitor and printer, for instance, have their own data cables currently because they're in different locations on my desk. It wouldn't make sense to have just one cable running to all similar items, then back to my PC.

i'm thinking that they want more of a 'hub' style setup much like the newer Apple cinema display has. you drop your laptop or tablet on your desk, hook one cable into it, and run a monitor/keyboard/mouse/removable storage drive all at once.