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This new dock is certainly one of few Thunderbolt 4 hubs to come back to market. Apple’s simply began to undertake Thunderbolt 4, and we’re positive to see an inflow from main accent makers quickly.

That mentioned, CalDigit has a fame for creating among the greatest hubs in the marketplace, and the TS4 is not any exception.

A well-recognized design

The TS4 borrows its design from the TS3 Plus and the unique TS3. It has an all-metal design with ridges down the perimeters that double as warmth sinks.

One finish of the TS4 has a rubber foot, permitting it to face vertically. You may slide on two rubber toes to sit down it on its facet for those who favor.

The devoted energy provide for the TS4 has a big barrel connector that plugs into the again of the dock. The provision is rated for 230W of complete energy supply.

Ports, ports, and extra ports

At launch, the TS4 has a number of firsts. It is not the primary Thunderbolt 4 hub and even the primary from CalDigit. It’s the first to have 18 ports, the primary Thunderbolt 4 dock with 98W of energy supply, and the primary with a 2.5Gb Ethernet port.

If we broaden on these ports additional, there are six ports on the entrance. The front-facing ports embrace:

• UHS-II SD 4 Card reader
• UHS-II SD 4 microSD card reader
• Audio combo jack
• USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s, 7.5W)
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s, 7.5W)
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s, 20W)

On the again, there are an extra 12 ports plus a safety slot. The rear ports embrace:

• 2.5Gb Ethernet
• Audio enter
• Audio output
• (4X) USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s, 7.5W)
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s, 7.5W)
• Upstream Thunderbolt 4 port
• (2X) Downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (15W)
• DisplayPort 1.4

An important Mac addition

Trying particularly at our Mac setup, there is a motive we’re so thrilled by this dock.

Since there’s a front-facing 20W USB-C port, we are able to use MagSafe. Join your MagSafe cable and you may cost any iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 at as much as 15W.

All USB-C, the front-facing USB-A, and two of the rear USB-A all can ship energy whereas not linked to your Mac. Even when the host is powered down, this turns the TS4 into an important charging station to your equipment.

We linked our Apple Watch charger, a GoPro, our Rode microphones, and our AirPods. All can energy up whereas we step away from the desk.

We’re utilizing the Thunderbolt 4-equipped 16-inch MacBook Professional, which gained an SD card slot with the redesign. Regardless that it is a UHS-II card slot, Apple limits it to solely 250MB/s. UHS-II is able to 312MB/s, which is what the CalDigit TS4 helps.

That makes the TS4 sooner at transferring knowledge from supported SD playing cards. To not point out you need not use an adapter with MicroSD playing cards.

Apple’s new 16-inch MacBook Professional is a giant machine and might settle for as much as 140W over MagSafe. The 98W of energy right here remains to be beneath that most, nevertheless it’s essentially the most we have seen but from a Thunderbolt dock.

The TS3 Plus has been an important dock, however we bought so many extra advantages with the TS4.

CalDigit TS4 versus CalDigit TS3 Plus

As well-liked because the CalDigit TS3 Plus was, it was solely apt to check this next-generation mannequin to it.

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There are enhancements throughout the board with the TS4. CaDigit elevated the variety of ports, elevated the info and charging pace on many USB ports, elevated the variety of Thunderbolt ports, upped the ability supply, and elevated the utmost show output.

Bodily, the gadgets are fairly comparable. They sport comparable designs, although the TS4 is barely bigger. The TS4 is taller and deeper than the TS3 Plus, however appears very comparable from a mode perspective.

Assist for loads of shows

The TS4 can energy a single 8K exterior show, although that is presently unsupported on the Mac.

Mac customers can nonetheless run twin 6K shows by means of the dock, or any two decrease decision shows. That features Apple’s Professional Show XDR.

CalDigit upped the DisplayPort on the TS4 to model 1.4, however we nonetheless want they opted for HDMI. There’s an HDMI port on our Mac, however with a dock, the thought is you’ll be able to have just one cable to attach or disconnect.

DisplayPort remains to be round, however not as widespread as HDMI is in 2022. It is not the tip of the world, and the YourNextApp employees is break up as to which they like.

Must you purchase the CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4?

Thunderbolt 4 did not improve the pace of Thunderbolt, nevertheless it’s enabled loads of new performance right here. The Thunderbolt 4 controller chip included is why there are a number of downstream Thunderbolt ports on the machine, and why this dock will nonetheless work with non-Thunderbolt 4 gadgets.

You may simply plug an iPad Professional (USB 4) or an older Mac with Thunderbolt 3 and nonetheless get many of the options of the TS4. This makes it extremely versatile and the dock we might advocate, even when you do not have Thunderbolt 4 but.

You should utilize this along with your Thunderbolt 3 Mac after which be future-proofed if you finally improve to a brand new Thunderbolt 4-equipped machine.

We have nearly no qualms with the CalDigit TS4, exterior of its lack of HDMI. With so many ports and many energy, that is the undisputed king of Thunderbolt 4 docks.

Execs

• Delivers 98W of energy to your Mac
• A number of Thunderbolt outputs
• 20W USB-C which even helps MagSafe
• Compact, versatile design
• Loads of USB-C ports
• Helps Apple Professional Show XDR and as much as 8K decision
• Backward appropriate with USB 4 and Thunderbolt 3

Cons

• No HDMI output
• 16-inch MacBook Professional can cost sooner than this helps

Ranking: 5 out of 5

The place to purchase

You may take a look at the CalDigit TS4 on each Amazon in addition to B&H. B&H can have it in inventory mid-February whereas Amazon says mid-March.