Intel’s Thunderbolt Share unlocks ultra-fast PC-to-PC experiences

Intel is unlocking ultra-fast PC-to-PC experiences in a secure way using Thunderbolt Share.

Users now have an easy, fast and efficient way to do more with two PCs by securely sharing files, screens, keyboard, mouse and storage at the speed of Thunderbolt technology.

Intel’s Thunderbolt Share is a new software solution enabling PC-to-PC experiences that fundamentally change the way users interact with two PCs. Thunderbolt Share is offered with select PCs and accessories with Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5 ports, enabling responsive screen-sharing and fast PC-to-PC file transfers for more flexible and productive workflows.

“We are excited to continue to lead the industry in connectivity solutions with Thunderbolt,” said Jason Ziller, Intel vice president of the client connectivity division, in a statement. “Thunderbolt Share delivers on our aspiration to bring innovative solutions to the market and deliver new experiences for users to get the most out of their PCs. Now users can seamlessly access one PC from another at Thunderbolt speeds. It truly changes how users can be more productive and efficient.”

Why it matters

Thunderbolt Share, powered by the unique Thunderbolt networking capability, enables users to interact with two PCs simply and efficiently – a solution that benefits users of multiple PCs.

Ziller said in a press briefing, “It will fundamentally change the way users interact with two PCs. And do it in a way that’s never been done before. This level of experience is really going to offer users an easy, fast and efficient way to do more with your two PCs by securely sharing screens, external monitors, keyboard, mouse, storage, and all your files with the speed of Thunderbolt technology.”

Thunderbolt Share is a software application Intel will be licensing to OEMs as a value added feature on their new PCs and Thunderbolt accessories that they choose to offer.

He said it has a super fast connection with high bandwidth and low latency and it uses standard Thunderbolt cables to connect the two PCs together.

“When you do that, you can securely share screens from each PC and external monitor, keyboard, mouse and storage. You can also drag and drop very simply. You can easily drag and drop files between PCs. You can do folder synchronizations, all at the speed of Thunderbolt. And you can even do PC migrations from an old computer to to a new computer,” he said.

It uses the hardware based security that’s built into Thunderbolt and so it is business and consumer friendly.

He said it will be offered on select PCs, Thunderbolt enabled PCs and accessories that the OEMs choose to license and offer with and when you purchase one of those machines.

He said the software runs on Windows and the company is considering other operating systems in the future. He noted how there is growing demand for multi-PC usage, fromer serious gamers to creators to other professionals.

Creators and gamers will enjoy improved productivity with multi-PC workflows and easy collaboration between colleagues, and they will be able to share preferred peripherals. Consumers and business professionals will enjoy better ergonomics with shared monitors, and they will be able to maximize workspaces using multiple PCs. Only Thunderbolt technology has the bandwidth and low latency to deliver these capabilities with the quality and experience that users demand.

Thunderbolt Share delivers compatible with Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5 PCs running the Windows operating system. Thunderbolt Share utilizes the high bandwidth and low latency of Thunderbolt technology to provide smooth uncompressed screen-sharing with ultra-responsive mouse and keyboard control between PCs – powering a seamless visual experience.

It also enables fast file transfers between two PCs with simple drag and drop, folder synchronization, and easy file migration from an old PC to a new PC. And it enables easy collaboration between users sharing large files.

Thunderbolt Share is supported via direct connection between PCs or through a Thunderbolt accessory with multiple ports such as a Thunderbolt dock or monitor. And it has a private and secure connection that doesn’t affect Wi-Fi, Ethernet or cloud network performance.

Thunderbolt technology is globally recognized as the best wired connectivity solution for PCs and accessories. Thunderbolt has quickly become a ubiquitous feature in the PC market, found in hundreds of millions of computers and accessories today, including all Intel Evo Edition laptops and Intel vPro laptops.

Thunderbolt Share will be offered on select PCs and accessories starting in the second half of 2024. Look for upcoming announcements from companies including Lenovo, Acer, MSI, Razer, Kensington, Belkin, Promise, Plugable and others.