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Caldigit’s TS4 Thunderbolt Station 4 dock has a lot to live up to because it is the successor to the immensely popular TS3 Plus docking station. However, the dock achieves success thanks to its many high-end ports and its adaptable design, and it does it without altering the formula that won an award previously. The TS3 reimagined the docking station in many respects and has been, and continues to be, our go-to choice for Thunderbolt 3 docking stations.
Even though Caldigit has been slower than most companies to introduce a Thunderbolt 4 dock, we are not disappointed in their offering because it is the most capable of those that we have tried. In a bit, we’ll talk about the key distinctions between Thunderbolt 3 (TB3) and Thunderbolt 4 (TB4), as well as whether or not users of TS3 Plus should consider upgrading to the more recent TS4.
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 Specifcations
Caldigit’s TS4 Thunderbolt Station 4 dock, the successor to the widely acclaimed TS3 Plus, lives up to the hype thanks to its many high-end ports and adaptable design.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Thunderbolt Connectivity | Provides Thunderbolt 4 connectivity for fast data transfer and device connection |
| Multiple Ports | Features a variety of ports including USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, and SD card reader |
| Power Delivery | Supports power delivery to charge devices while connected |
| Dual 4K Display Support | Capable of driving two 4K displays simultaneously |
| Audio In/Out Ports | Allows connection of external audio devices |
| Gigabit Ethernet | Provides a stable and high-speed wired network connection |
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4: Design
Docking stations can be either horizontal or vertical in their orientation, depending on the user’s preference. Vertical is my preference because it frees up more room on my desk, but horizontal may present a more polished appearance. The TS3 Plus and now the TS4 dock from Caldigit have a design that is more versatile than those of other docks because it can either be lay flat or stood upright. Other docks require a separate stand for this functionality. It has two rubber feet that may be attached in either direction, and they are included in the package. You can buy this CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 from its official website
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4: Ports
The TS4’s front and rear surfaces are covered with a ridiculously large number of ports that are spread out in a grid pattern. Despite this, the decisions about which ports and how many are carefully considered. Because of its power-output design for charging mobile devices and laptops, it is also not so much a dock as a combination of port extender and charging station. It can charge mobile devices and laptops.
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4: Connectivity
The ribbed design of the case is intended to improve heat dissipation, however we never experienced any overheating. In addition, it adds a classy touch. The TS4 includes a few extra ports and is slightly larger than the TS3. Although this Thunderbolt 4 dock is backwards-compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and regular USB-C, it provides optimal performance when linked to a laptop equipped with the newest Thunderbolt standard.
Connect the dock to the host laptop through the included 0.8-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable, which can be found at the dock’s rear. When possible, we prefer detachable cables so that just the damaged section of the dock needs to be replaced. Once the dock is hooked up, you’ll have access to 17 additional ports.
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4: Performance
CalDigit’s dock is renowned for its exceptional power supply. Although many Thunderbolt 4 docks boast high Power Delivery to the host machine, this promise is quickly debunked when additional devices are connected.
The TS4, with its big 230W power supply, avoids this problem. No matter how many peripherals are plugged into the dock, the host computer will always receive 98W of Power Delivery.
Price and Availability
This dock comes in as one of the more expensive alternatives for Thunderbolt 4 available, with a price tag of over $400. Keep in mind that the price of this hardware isn’t exactly low, even if we are going to discuss the reasons why the dock is still so popular despite its high price.
Final Words
If you need to connect numerous displays, external discs, and wired input devices to your workstation, the CalDigit TS4 is the hub you need. You need to bring in your Apple laptop, and you’ll be set. There are a lot of extra ports, and many of them may be used to power bus-powered devices or charge mobile electronics, so it could be handy for certain Mac mini and iMac owners.
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 review: The good and The bad
There are some flaws in the CalDigit TS4 system. There is cause for concern over the sporadic character of Thunderbolt’s awakenings from sleep.
The Good
- Charges laptop, phone, tablet, etc.
- Front-facing SD Card ports
The Bad
- Requires Big Sur 11.4 or later
Questions and Answers
The TS4’s many available ports allow for multiple devices to be connected at once, and it can even charge them. The host laptop may be kept fully charged thanks to the dock’s ability to supply up to 98W of power when you have to leave the office.
Fast solid-state drives (SSDs), game displays, and external graphics are all supported by Thunderbolt 4 connectors. Solid-State Drives that Connect through ThunderboltTM. When playing games, a quick external drive can be helpful. You can, for instance, keep your video game collection on an external hard drive and access it from any computer.