Thunderbolt is intel's new io port/ data transfer technology with a speed of 10 Gbps which allows you to transfer full length HD movie in less than 30 seconds or can make a backup of mp3 which is playable continously about 8760 h in just ten minutes. This technology was first introduced during 2009 named Light Peak. it was designed to transmit data through thin glass cables as it is based on fiber optics.
The ports speed is based on Intel's pci express since the port is powered by a controller chip which unites PCI Express and existing display port protocols for transmitting data and video in both ways through a single cable. This data transfer technology is going to be first available on newly released apple's MacBook Pro laptops which uses a mini display port jack which is compatible with all other existing display ports and adapters.