CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock review

The TS4 is a Thunderbolt 4 dock that connects to the host through a single Thunderbolt 4 port. CalDigit lists support for Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 computers, plus Chromebooks, iPad Pro, Air and mini, iPhone 15 and Windows tablets. The minimum operating systems are macOS 11.4 or Windows 10 (20H2). For Mac users, CalDigit recommends updating to macOS 13 Ventura for the best experience.

It launched in January 2022. It is a desk dock with an external power brick, not a compact travel adapter.

This is the dock's strongest area. It lists 18 ports in total. Three are Thunderbolt 4 at 40Gb/s, three are USB-C at 10Gb/s and five are USB-A at 10Gb/s. There is also a DisplayPort 1.4 output, an SD 4.0 slot and a microSD 4.0 slot, both UHS-II, and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet.

Audio is well covered. A front combo jack handles headsets, and separate rear jacks handle audio in and audio out. With five USB-A ports at 10Gb/s, older drives and peripherals can stay plugged in without a hub on top.

Downstream power is limited per port. The Thunderbolt 4 ports supply 15W each and the front USB-C port supplies 20W. The remaining USB-C and USB-A ports supply 7.5W each. That is enough for most peripherals, but the dock is not a charging station for several phones and tablets at speed.

One reviewer noted there is no HDMI port. Anyone with an HDMI monitor would need to plan for that.

Display output is native, with no driver required. What you get depends on the computer. Intel Macs, Windows PCs and Chrome OS machines can run dual 4K at 60Hz. M1 Pro and M1 Max Macs can run dual 6K at 60Hz. A single monitor can go up to 8K.

The limit is the original M1 Mac, which CalDigit says does not support dual displays through this dock. If you own one and want two screens, this is not the right dock. The dock has a single DisplayPort 1.4 output, so check how your second screen would connect before buying.

The TS4 charges a laptop at up to 98W from the Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 host port. The dock runs from its own 230W external power supply, with a 19.5V 11.8A DC input, so it does not draw its own power from the laptop.

Owners and reviewers single out charging and port count as reasons the dock earns its place on a desk.

Wired networking is 2.5GbE over RJ45, which suits a faster home or office network. Some users report problems updating firmware after the macOS Ventura release. That evidence is thin, but Mac owners should keep it in mind.

Owner and reviewer feedback is largely positive on connectivity and reliability. Reviewers describe the port selection as worth the premium. One complaint is the price, which one review described as high.

A few reports mention needing to reconnect cables after the laptop wakes from sleep. Another reviewer noted orientation quirks. Both come from thin evidence, so treat them as things to watch rather than a pattern.

Warranty terms vary by page. The US product page lists two years, while the open-box page lists one year. Check the terms for the version you buy.

With 98W charging, 10Gbps USB ports, two UHS-II card slots and 2.5GbE, the TS4 suits a permanent desk with many devices. Windows laptops and M1 Pro or Max Macs get dual-display support. Original M1 owners get one screen, which cuts the dock's appeal for a two-monitor setup. The price is the main thing to weigh against the port selection.