Acer abandons Thunderbolt in favor of cheaper USB 3.0

ExDreamer · July 17, 2013

In 2012, Acer became the first Windows PC maker to embrace Thunderbolt, Intel's super-fast communication technology. But that enthusiasm didn't carry past mid-2013.

Acer has ditched plans to push Thunderbolt on its Windows PCs, turning instead to USB 3.0 despite being the first PC manufacturer to support Intel’s high-speed connection. According to Acer, which first included Thunderbolt on the Aspire S5 ultrabook in early 2012, it’s a matter of cost, USB 3.0 offering comparable speed among other advantages, and the continuing shortage of peripherals actually using Thunderbolt technology that have soured it on the port.

"We're really focusing on USB 3.0 -- it's an excellent alternative to Thunderbolt," Acer spokeswoman Ruth Rosene said. "It's less expensive, offers comparable bandwidth, charging for devices such as mobile phones, and has a large installed base of accessories and peripherals," she said, mentioning external hard drives, flash drives, keyboards, mice, and gamepads.

It's a loud vote of no confidence from a Taiwanese company that has risen through the ranks to become a top laptop manufacturer and that has just updated its PC product line sans Thunderbolt.