CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock Review

Have you ever felt like your workspace is a chaotic jungle of cables, adapters, and more gadgets than you can count? I certainly have. In this labyrinth of technology, where each device seems to demand its own special connection or charging brick, the promise of simplification can feel like a mirage. Enter the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock – a miracle in the world of tech that promises to transform this chaotic landscape into a streamlined paradise. Let’s wander through the land of connectivity, shall we?

Overview of the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

The CalDigit TS4 is to docks what a Swiss Army knife is to pocket tools. It boasts a robust 18 ports, which is enough to make even the most hardcore tech enthusiast stop and stare. This marvel of engineering might just be the secret weapon I’ve been looking for to tackle the tangled mess on my desk.

Feature	Details
Total Ports	18
USB Ports	8 (10Gb/s performance)
Thunderbolt 4 Ports	3 (40Gb/s speed)
DisplayPort	1.4
Audio Ports	3
Ethernet	2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (backward-compatible with 1GbE)
Charging	98W Power Delivery
Display Compatibility	Single 8K or dual 6K 60Hz for specific systems
OS Compatibility	macOS, Windows, Chrome OS
Device Compatibility	Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, USB-C devices

Extreme Connectivity

Eighteen ports sound like an exaggeration, don’t they? It’s almost like CalDigit peeked into my mind during one of those frenzied bouts where I’m juggling multiple devices, all demanding attention and sockets at once. This dock includes a mix of ports: eight USB ports capable of 10Gb/s performance, three Thunderbolt 4 ports at an impressive 40Gb/s speed, and more. With each connection, I envision a little voice whispering sweet promises of seamless workflows and clutter-free spaces.

Charging Power

The TS4 isn’t just about multiple connections. It’s like a gentle giant armed with a hefty 98W power delivery. This is crucial for serious multitaskers like me who often find themselves tethered to the wall as if their laptops were lifelines. The dock has the muscle to charge larger-screen laptops, ensuring they’re fed and happy while you work away. Simultaneously charging a laptop and connecting 18 devices feels like meeting a benevolent octopus from the future, offering a tentacle to each of my electronic companions.

Display Capabilities

Single 8K or Dual 6K Displays

Deciding between a clear, vibrant display and having multiple screens is like choosing between two favorite ice cream flavors. Fortunately, the TS4 caters to both Windows and macOS aficionados. Windows users can bask in a single display up to a staggering 8K resolution, or opt for dual 4K monitors. Mac users can connect a single display at 6K 60Hz, or, if you’re lucky enough to own an M1 Pro or M1 Max, dual displays at the same resolution.

Handling Multiple Displays

For most of us who, through habit or necessity, have developed a second-nature comfort with two screens, the TS4 doesn’t disappoint. It brings whatever graphics dreamscape you have to life while maintaining compatibility across various devices. This way, whether I’m running a dual monitor setup on my Intel-based Mac or squinting at security footage on an original M1 Mac, the TS4 keeps things running with grace and efficiency.

Networking & Compatibility

Faster Ethernet

Life’s too short for slow internet, isn’t it? Especially when downloading hefty files or indulging in a bit of gaming. The TS4’s 2.5GbE port is a speed demon, 2.5 times faster than the standard 1GbE, making it perfect for NRA-grade performance. It is compatible with a range of devices, so whether my setup shifts like the tide, from Thunderbolt host connections to 2.5GbE gadgets, this dock has me covered.

Universal Compatibility

The TS4 dock is designed with an open-door policy to technology. Its universal compatibility feels like it’s giving my device collection a big, welcoming hug. Supporting Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB-C computers, it’s right at home with Apple’s M2 and M1 range, various Windows PCs, as well as Chrome OS devices. Plus, its budding friendship with the new USB-C iPhone 15, 15 Pro, and a roster of tablets, makes it a handy companion to just about anything I could throw at it.

Setting Up and Using the CalDigit TS4

Unboxing the Experience

Unpacking technology often feels like a special event for me, and the CalDigit TS4 doesn’t disappoint. It’s well-packaged, hinting at the beautifully organized world I’m about to step into. The solid build exudes confidence, almost daring me to put every one of those 18 ports to the test. CalDigit thoughtfully includes a Thunderbolt 4 cable, a power supply, and, of course, the dock itself, which is the veritable belle of the ball.

Plug-and-Play Simplicity

Have you ever had a dream where everything just worked? That’s how setting up the TS4 feels. My devices shuffle into place like a well-rehearsed performance. Plugging each cord and cable into the appropriate port triggers a delightful series of lights and confirmations from every screen and device, affirming their newfound interconnected harmony.

Firmware and Software Considerations

With any powerful piece of tech, keeping the firmware up to date is akin to nurturing a bonsai tree – meticulous yet rewarding. CalDigit makes available a firmware update, crucial for keeping everything running smoothly. The process is refreshingly straightforward, supported by their go-to download link, and a few moments later, my dock feels even more empowered, like it had just downed an espresso.

Everyday Use and Performance

Multi-tasking Maestro

In practice, the TS4 is like having a personal assistant with the prowess of a small orchestra. With devices all harmoniously plugged in, I glide between tasks with a rhythm only disrupted when I forget, momentarily, I’m not entirely self-sufficient. I can print, charge a phone, transfer files, all while my laptop hums contentedly, unencumbered by wires splayed like stray spaghetti.

Audio and Visual Output

Sifting through the TS4’s audiovisual capabilities, plugging in a pair of headphones here, a microphone there – it’s all about giving what used to be a noisy cacophony the clarity and precision of a symphony. The balanced sound experience breathes life into my music, meetings, and side projects with an audio quality that’s rich and vibrant, with no signs of lagging behind.

Something for Everyone

Whether you’re a creative type spinning at the edge of Adobe Suite like a discus-thrower of digital art, or plodding through endless Excel sheets like a modern-day marathon, the TS4 is there, silently flexing its muscles to accommodate your needs. Each port is a lifesaver in different scenarios, catering comprehensively to everyone from professionals to hobbyists, and everyone in between.

Final Thoughts

If I were to anthropomorphize the TS4, it would likely be the kind of friend who always knows exactly what you need even before you voice it. It offers a seamless blend of connectivity, charging prowess, and display capabilities wrapped in a package that’s deceptively compact. Each feature thoughtfully considers the needs of modern technology users, effortlessly transforming any workspace into a hub of optimized efficiency.

In this fast-paced, interconnected world, the real MVP isn’t necessarily the device that hits every technical milestone, but the one that takes the frustration out of working with those devices in tandem. The CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock doesn’t just deliver 18 ports; it delivers a solution to a more integrated, efficient, and outrageously functional workspace, making it the multitasker’s dream. And that, I believe, makes every tangled cable and exhausted power socket on my desk breathe a sigh of relief.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.