Lately CalDigit released the successor to the TS3 Plus, merely named TS4. Is CalDigit’s TS4 a worthy follow-up to the TS3 Plus? As you’ll see in my hands-on, the TS4 is a refined and extra succesful dock than its predecessor.
So much has modified for the reason that unique TS3 Plus got here on the scene. There’s Thunderbolt 4, which is constructed on high of USB 4, and backward appropriate with Thunderbolt 3. And one of many extra notable adjustments is that the the iPad Professional now features a Thunderbolt 4 port, which affords full compatibility with the TS4.
The unique TS3 Plus was a big {hardware} launch, not solely as a result of it included an absurd 15 ports, however due to the kind of ports that it included. As an illustration, it was one of many first docks to incorporate a UHS-II-compatible SD Card slot. The TS4 builds on the inspiration established by its forebear, and features a ridiculous 18 ports of I/O, with fairly a number of further enhancements.
Video: CalDigit TS4 – the perfect Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 dock for Mac
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Specs
The TS4 is jam-packed with 18 ports in a comparatively small kind issue. Right here’s a have a look at every little thing it contains:
Ports
- 1 x upstream Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 port (98W)
- 2 x downstream Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports (15W)
- 3 x USB-C 3.2 information ports (10Gbps, 1 x 20W, and a pair of x 7.5W)
- 5 x USB-A 3.2 ports (10Gbps and seven.5W offline charging)
- 1 x SD Card reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
- 1 x microSD Card reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- 1 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port (supported by Thunderbolt or USB4 host)
- 1 x entrance combo audio jack (3.5mm) (with precedence over rear jacks)
- 1 x rear audio jack in (3.5mm)
- 1 x rear audio jack out (3.5mm)
Extra specs
- Top 5.55″ (141.0mm) x Width 1.65″ (42.0mm) x Size 4.46″ (113.4mm)
- Helps vertical or horizontal orientation
- 1 x DC enter (19.5V 11.80A)
- 98W energy ship to host
- Kensington Safety Slot
- Helps twin 4K displays
- Helps a single 8K monitor
- Weight: 1.41lbs (0.64kg)
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4 cable
- 2 x rubber toes strips
- 1 x energy twine
- 1 x energy provide (230w)
- 2-year guarantee
- Value: $360
Design and kind issue
At first glimpse, the TS4 appears to be like almost indistinguishable from its predecessor, however upon additional inspection it turns into clear that there are some design adjustments to take note of. Firstly, the TS4 is a much bigger dock than the TS3 Plus. The TS4 is 0.35-inches taller, 0.08-inches wider, and 0.59-inches deeper. CalDigit’s latest dock can be 0.37 lbs heavier than the TS3 Plus. The bigger dock can partly be defined by the additional ports which can be on board, together with the addition of a safety slot.
The TS4 contains the acquainted all-aluminum ridged design language that’s been featured on many CalDigit products in the past. Moreover wanting cool, the ridged design lets the pair of included rubber toes simply connect with the chassis, affording the dock the flexibility to relaxation on a desktop floor in a horizontal orientation.
In contrast to many docks, that are solely in a position relaxation in your desktop horizontally, taking on a variety of desktop floor space within the course of, the CalDigit TS4 lets customers determine. The dock contains a in-built rubber floor on the underside to permit it to face vertically as properly.
In contrast the the 15 ports on the TS3 Plus, the TS4 options 18 ports. What further ports may be discovered on the TS4?
Entrance microSD Card reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
Having a microSD card reader onboard implies that you not need to hunt for adapters when offloading recordsdata from the smaller playing cards. So many gadgets use microSD playing cards for storage today, so it’s good to have such a characteristic onboard.
Rear Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 port
Having an additional Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 port means which you could now connect with a number of Thunderbolt gadgets while not having to daisy chain by way of one other Thunderbolt-enabled machine. This offers customers with a variety of additional freedom to attach Thunderbolt exterior drives and different gadgets that terminate at their level of connection. It’s one of many explanation why I lately used OWC’s Thunderbolt hub in order that I may join a number of Thunderbolt gadgets to a single port on my MacBook Professional.
Entrance 20W USB-C port
The TS4 contains not only one, however two USB-C ports on the entrance. The second USB-C port is rated at 20W of energy output, which is critical as a result of it lets you connect with gadgets that require no less than 20W of energy. For instance, Apple recommends a 20W or increased connection for its MagSafe wi-fi chargers.
Rear audio jack out (3.5mm)
That’s 4 further ports, wasn’t there solely purported to be three extra? The rationale there are 4 new ports is as a result of CalDigit eradicated the Optical Audio connection discovered on the TS3 Plus and changed it with the three.5mm rear audio jack out. The TS4 has two 3.5mm audio output connections — one combo port on entrance that may help headsets with built-in microphones, and one output-only port on the rear — however the entrance combo port takes precedence.
Noteworthy enhancements
The CalDigit TS4 enhancements transcend simply having extra ports than the TS3 Plus, as you’ll discover enhancements made to the beforehand present ports. For instance, all the dock’s USB ports — together with the USB-A ports — are 10Gbps connections. The Ethernet port, which was beforehand restricted to gigabit Ethernet, can now operate as a 2.5GbE connection when related to a Thunderbolt host. Lastly, the DisplayPort connection will get an improve from DisplayPort 1.2 to model 1.4.
USB energy supply
One of many greatest benefits of Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 is the flexibility to energy related gadgets. The TS4 contains a most of 98W of energy supply, as a substitute of the 87W of its predecessor. Therefore, the TS4 can simply energy a 13-inch MacBook Professional or MacBook Air, 14-inch MacBook Professional, or any USB-C-enabled iPad at full pace. The dock may recharge the 16-inch MacBook Professional, however you’ll must make the most of Apple’s Quick-charge-capable 140W USB-C Energy Adapter for full-speed charging.
Whereas we’re on the subject of energy, CalDigit has made it in order that solely two of the 4 rear USB-A ports provide energy whereas not related to a number machine. That is useful for gadgets that you simply don’t wish to obtain powered whereas not related to your Mac.
Twin 4K or 6K show connectivity
The CalDigit TS4 can join accommodate a wide range of show output configurations based mostly on the kind of gadgets you intend to attach. For instance, M1 Mac customers are restricted to a single exterior 4K or 6K show at 60Hz, whereas M1 Professional/Max customers can join as much as two 4K or 6K shows at 60Hz. Whereas macOS is proscribed to 6K at 60Hz, the TS4 can help as much as 8K60 on Home windows if each the pc and show help Show Stream Compression and DisplayPort 1.4.
Decrease resolutions with increased body charges are additionally accessible, with as much as 144Hz at 4K, and as much as 240Hz at 2560×1440. Larger body charges will come in useful when connecting to a gaming monitor.
There are a lot of methods to hook up with a show by way of the TS4. You’ll be able to join by way of:
- One of many two accessible Thunderbolt ports
- DisplayPort 1.4 port
- DisplayPort → Energetic DisplayPort to HDMI adapter
- USB-C → HDMI adapter
Take into account that the three USB-C solely ports are for information solely. If you happen to’d like to attach a show by way of USB-C, make sure to make the most of one of many two Thunderbolt ports.
Compatibility with USB-C host gadgets
In contrast to the TS3 Plus, which featured an older Thunderbolt chipset, the TS4 permits customers to hook up with each Thunderbolt and non-Thunderbolt USB-C ports. Whereas this received’t lend entry to Thunderbolt solely peripherals, resembling Thunderbolt SSDs, it’ll permit customers to interface with different gadgets related to the dock. For instance, this is useful when utilizing a USB-C iPad Air or iPad mini.
9to5Mac’s Take
CalDigit’s TS4 could look just like the TS3 Plus, nevertheless it’s a big improve over its predecessor. It offers wider compatibility with each Thunderbolt and USB-C hosts, options two downstream Thunderbolt ports as a substitute of only one, options quicker Ethernet connectivity, and is appropriate with a number of 6K shows and even an 8K show when related to correctly configured Home windows machines.
There’s just a few downsides that I can consider with this dock. First is the value, as a result of at $360 it falls properly outdoors of impulse purchase territory. And as talked about earlier than, the dock can’t cost a 16-inch M1 Professional/Max MacBook Professional at full pace, however that’s merely Thunderbolt limitation. The dock additionally contains a pretty big exterior energy provide, though because of the bigger kind issue of the TS4, it doesn’t look as massive as earlier than. One final thing — I want you would toggle off the white LED on entrance of the dock. It’s simple to miss within the daytime, however may be an annoyance in a darkish atmosphere.
However these complaints are pretty minor when in comparison with the design and performance of the CalDigit TS4, which incorporates every little thing however the kitchen sink. I really feel like I’m repeating myself right here, however once more, in the event you’re searching for the perfect all-around dock on your Mac, the CalDigit TS4, which is now available on Amazon, will get my advice.
What do you assume? Pontificate down under within the feedback.
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