The highly anticipated Thunderbolt 5 made a grand entrance at CES 2024, with vendors J5create and Hyper unveiling their inaugural hardware. As the tech world buzzes with excitement, the burning questions on everyone’s minds revolve around when Thunderbolt enthusiasts can expect to lay their hands on this groundbreaking technology and, perhaps more crucially, how much it will cost them.
For those unacquainted, Thunderbolt has long been the powerhouse in I/O alternatives, overshadowing the ubiquitous USB-C with its robust 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3/4 connections. This technology allowed users to connect multiple high-speed displays through Thunderbolt docks, setting a new standard for connectivity.
Thunderbolt 5 amplifies this capability by doubling the throughput to an impressive 80Gbps and, in certain configurations, reaching an astounding 120Gbps in one-way connections. This upgrade enables users to connect three 4K displays, each running at an impressive 144Hz, showcasing a significant leap forward from Thunderbolt 4.
Yet, this leap forward may come at a cost, both literally and figuratively. Intel’s confirmation of Thunderbolt 5 support in its 2024 lineup as a discrete chip means that laptop manufacturers will bear the burden of additional expenses, subsequently affecting consumers’ wallets.
The release date for Thunderbolt 5 remains elusive, with the Thunderbolt host controller and device controller still in the prototype stage. However, the first Thunderbolt 5 docks have already made their debut at CES, offering a sneak peek into the future of connectivity.
Among these pioneers, J5create showcased the Thunderbolt 5 Dual 8K60 Display Dock, set to hit the market at $499 in March. Hyper, taking a more consumer-centric approach, revealed the Hyper TB5 Dock priced at $399. Both docks feature multiple Thunderbolt 5 ports, DisplayPort and HDMI connections, USB-A ports, and a hidden surprise – a foldout port for an M.2 SSD card.
Amid the anticipation, Bernie Thompson, CTO of Plugable Technologies, foresees Thunderbolt 5 hardware availability toward the end of the year. Meanwhile, Plugable seized the moment at CES 2024 by launching the TBT4-UD5, potentially one of the last Thunderbolt 4 docks, reaffirming Thunderbolt’s enduring relevance in the ever-evolving realm of connectivity.