Belkin announced updates for its Thunderbolt Express Dock as well as Thunderbolt cable at this year's Computex.
Priced at $400, the Dock isn't cheap, but it allows users to connect up to nine desktop or notebook computers with one cable. the dock is compatible with Macs and Windows PCs. The device integrates three USB 3 ports, one Firewire 800, one GbE, one eSATA, one 3.5mm out, one 3.5 mm in, as well as two Thunderbolt interfaces (one upstream and one downstream). Also included is a MiniDP to HDMI Adapter.
“As more hardware companies announce plans to incorporate Intel’s Thunderbolt technology into their products, we aim to create quality accessories that take advantage of Thunderbolt’s blazing fast speeds and other benefits,” said Martin Avilla, general manager of Belkin’s core business unit, in a prepared statement.
A new 3ft Thunderbolt cable that supports bidirectional 10 Gbps datatransfers will be offered for $45 MSRP. Up to six Thunderbolt devices can be daisy-chained using the cables. The dock will become available in September and the cable will be launched in July, Belkin said.
Damn, I wonder who buys this overpriced... I can't say crap, it's a cool device, but an "average user" won't buy it because it's too much and too complex and a power user doesn't really need it... for nearly the same reasons - 1) price 2) there's an easier way that he already uses.
or
use a few more of the 14 USB (yes 14!) ports I have, not to mention I already have Gigabit Ethernet, onboard sound, and 4 x USB 3.0 ports
3 feet cables at $50 YOUR KIDDING ME....
$400 for the setup plus $45 for cables? Sorry, Belkin you lost me.
It was developed entirely by Intel
Apple only served as an initial deployment partner
I still think they're too expensive... but at least there's real technology inside them.