Intel's Light Peak to debut without light

Intel's fibre-optic Light Peak technology, which is supposed to replace the profusion of cables attached to computers, will start off by using copper, not light, to transmit data.

The absence of light in the first version of Light Peak was illuminated by an industry source and reported by ZDNet UK's sister site, CNET News, on Thursday. According to the store, the speeds proposed for Light Peak — 10Gbps in both directions at the same time — will not be affected by the use of copper rather than light.

Light Peak cables should be able to replace the various monitor, printer and external drive cables that PCs currently need to connect to peripherals, according to Intel's plans. Backed by Sony and Apple, Light Peak connectivity should make its way into products in the first half of 2011.