Tag: thunderbolt

Intel’s Thunderbolt Share: Using Multiple PCs to Handle Demanding Workflows

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence has significantly increased demand for developers who can create new AI-powered programs and applications. But processing, analyzing or training with vast amounts of data can strain even a powerful PC’s bandwidth, making it difficult to multitask with other applications working in the background.

It’s a pain point that can be solved by connecting two computers. Intel’s Thunderbolt™ Share software lets users easily connect two Windows® PCs to share screens and to control using a single keyboard, mouse and storage. Using a PC’s existing Thunderbolt™ 4 or Thunderbolt™ 5 port, a single cable provides secure high-speed, low-latency compute for file-sharing and screen-sharing. One of the PCs or accessories needs to be Thunderbolt Share-licensed.

“AI uses language models, and those models are huge. So maybe you’re working and tweaking a model, but then you need to send it over to another PC to test it. This whole idea of developers and AI and moving mass amounts of data is huge for Thunderbolt Share,” said Lyle Warnke, technical marketing engineer at Intel. “It’s not having to go over my Wi-Fi network, which is slow, or the cloud, which is even slower, or use an external drive, which takes time and is not very efficient. This is private. I’m not going to the cloud, no one will ever see my data because it’s simply going from one PC to the other over a cable.”

Most computers, Windows and Apple, are equipped with a Thunderbolt port. It looks the same as a USB-C port and is designated by a lightning symbol. While it can be used as a USB-C port, which typically has a 10 gigabit per second bandwidth rate to transfer information, the use of a Thunderbolt cable boosts the speed 4x to a 40 gigabit per second bandwidth or 8x to an 80 gigabit per second bandwidth with Thunderbolt 5.

Thunderbolt Share software can be downloaded and installed on Windows PCs with Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5 ports. The software checks that at least one PC or Thunderbolt accessory, such as a dock, monitor or storage, is Thunderbolt Share-licensed by the manufacturer, then allows the connected PCs to share resources. The first licensed PCs and docks are available now, with more coming in 2025.

More Jobs Require More Than One Computer

Using multiple computers is more common than many think. But before the introduction of Thunderbolt Share in 2024, there was no easy method to connect two Windows PCs directly with a cable.

“This is the productivity part that we see for business users that’s so great,” Warnke said. “Maybe I have a desktop and it’s doing my finance stuff, but I’ve got my laptop that’s doing email and PowerPoint, but I just want to use the one desk monitor area.”

Enthusiast gamers and professional creators often use two to three computers for more flexibility, reduced system strain and the ability to dedicate machines to specific tasks. The more computers used, the better the workflow and the fewer bottlenecks.

For example, a visual artist will have a powerful desktop for intensive tasks like video editing, AI video creation, 3D rendering or graphic design. Those applications take most of the desktop’s bandwidth to run smoothly. That creator will likely also have a laptop for portability in attending client meetings, presentations or on-location shoots. And they might have a third, older PC in use as a dedicated server.

Ben Hacker, general manager of Intel Client Connectivity Division, explains it this way: “If I’m a creator, I have a laptop and a desktop simultaneously running multiple applications; my laptop may be running different applications than my desktop, but I want to use them together. Thunderbolt Share allows me to utilize my high-resolution, large monitor with both computers without having to buy a KVM to switch between the two.”

Everyday Uses of Thunderbolt Share

Screen sharing is among the most powerful operations for Thunderbolt Share, comprising over 50% of Thunderbolt Share’s usage, Hacker says. Other key features include:

  • Easily drag and drop files quickly between computers.
  • Sync entire folders between computers.
  • Get up and running on a new PC fast with an easy transfer of files from the old to the new PC.

Even for mainstream professionals, Thunderbolt Share is a time-saver. It allows anyone to quickly transfer a project directly to a home computer or to share large files with colleagues or clients without using an external hard drive.

That direct connection helps ensure security and privacy. No more worrying about misplacing an external hard drive or sending sensitive information through a third-party file transfer site that might not be able to handle large data files. Thunderbolt Share is that direct PC-to-PC connection that doesn’t need Wi-Fi or the cloud, so files stay in the user’s control.

For gamers who want to stream their content, it’s easy to see how controlling two computers with a single keyboard and mouse helps ensure high performance and smooth game play. At Intel’s Tech Showcase at CES 2025, a laptop was connected to a desktop playing the Marvel Rivals game with a Thunderbolt cable and port. It enabled seamless sharing of displays, audio, common peripherals and storage. The desktop handled the heavy task of running the game, while the laptop managed the streaming workload using Thunderbolt Share and OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) – and both could be controlled on one screen.

“We know that right now is a perfect time for Thunderbolt Share because people do have more than one PC. And with Thunderbolt being a mainstream port, it’s very likely your second PC also has Thunderbolt, and you can have this type of experience,” Warnke said. “Two PCs can be better than one. Connecting two PCs with Thunderbolt Share helps improve your multitasking and productivity. It’s easy, it’s fast and efficient.”

Benefits of tokenization in the businesses

When integrated into this ecosystem of business transactions, tokenization can provide a secure way to move funds worldwide at high speed and low cost. Platforms like Bitcoin Thunderbolt develop the best trading algorithm that is highly suitable for beginner bitcoin traders. Tokenization is boosting productivity in businesses by providing a low-cost and fast way to transfer money worldwide; it will also make it easier for companies to comply with complicated regulations because they have less to worry about. 

Blockchain plays a vital role in this system because it increases security by ensuring that only authorized personnel can view or access the information stored on the blockchain.

The token ecosystem:

The token ecosystem provides a platform for interaction, collaboration, and coordination between stakeholders. Tokenization also has enormous benefits for businesses looking to raise capital without adhering to the arbitrary government or industry regulations. One of these regulations is Know Your Customer (KYC). KYC refers to identifying and verifying customers’ identities to ensure they are not dealing with anyone carrying out money laundering or any other illegal activities. Businesses will use the blockchain to verify their customers’ identities by incorporating them into a smart contract.

Taking KYC out of the equation helps companies reduce costs and scrutiny, which can be highly beneficial for start-ups and small businesses. For instance, a business can use the blockchain to send its money internationally without government restrictions or regulations, unlike regular financial transactions. This way, a business doesn’t have to spend time dealing with other financial institutions to get money from one country to another. In this context, a smart contract will verify that the transaction recipient can take it out of that country so criminals do not steal the payment. In addition, blockchain helps businesses improve their efficiency through collaboration in value chain management. Let’s explore the benefits of tokenization in businesses. 

Businesses can monetize any product or service:

There is a wide range of sectors in which businesses can use the blockchain to tokenize different products and services like healthcare, financial services, real estate, etc. This way, they can monetize different products and services they provide, receive or purchase.

Companies can transfer funds from one country to another with more efficiency:

Companies that want to send their money from one country to another will have several options available. First, they can use banks or other financial intermediaries for this purpose. However, it takes time and costs a lot of money for these financial institutions. On the other hand, if companies use blockchain technology, they only need to execute a smart contract to send their money. This way, they can do it with more efficiency.

Businesses can reduce costs and improve the speed of payments:

Traditional banking is relatively slow and expensive when making cross-border payments. In addition, many banks charge high fees for these transactions, so businesses are looking for faster and safer ways to make these payments. Blockchain technology gives them that opportunity because it helps them reduce costs and stay up-to-date with the latest innovations in this field. 

Businesses can get rewarded for their efforts:

Tokenization provides many opportunities for businesses to earn from their products and services. They can earn from the platform by offering their products and services to other companies. In this way, they do not need to sell their products to the general public, although they will have that option. They only need to market their products and services innovatively so that other businesses can use them. 

Businesses can access new markets with less effort:

Blockchain tech allows businesses to open up new markets and make international transactions easier. There are large numbers of people all over the world who do not have access to traditional banking, so blockchain opens up a whole new arena for them. 

How to engage with blockchain in your business?

Blockchain technology presents a new paradigm for making your business more efficient and secure. However, it is not a panacea, as the success of blockchain lies in the ability of a business to use the technology and integrate it into its organizations properly. Successful blockchain implementation is attributed mainly to the right people who understand the technology and have eyes for innovation.

 Putting the right people in place procures that the “right people” can be trained or brought up within the organization, even if they are new or have limited knowledge about modern technologies such as blockchain. So, for instance, a business asking for blockchain development can enlist the services of an agency like Smart Contract Tech to do that job.

What does it take to implement and integrate blockchain into your business? 

The same thing it takes to innovate a new product or service or make better use of an existing one. The right people in the right place with the right attitude contribute most to success. One of the most important things an organization need is people who understand technology.