CalDigit TS4 Docking Station REVIEW

A premium workstation with a few compromises

About a year ago, I started to rethink my workstation. I got a new desk (L-Shape Standing Desk from UpLift) and I even toyed around with a full-size gaming PC for a while. Even though I had a gaming PC incorporated, my daily driver computer was still my MacBook Pro. Since I had an external monitor as well as speakers and microphone, the CalDigit TS4 Docking Station became one of the most important parts of my setup since it merged my MacBook Pro with all the connected peripherals in and around my desk.

About CalDigit TS4

The CalDigit TS4 is a high-performance Thunderbolt 4 docking station designed to expand connectivity for power users, professionals, and gamers. Featuring 18 ports, it provides versatile connectivity, including three Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB-C ports, five USB-A ports, 2.5Gb Ethernet, SD and microSD card readers, DisplayPort 1.4, and separate audio in/out jacks.

With 98W power delivery, the TS4 can efficiently charge laptops and high-powered devices, making it ideal for Mac and Windows users. Its dual 4K 60Hz or single 8K 60Hz display support ensures smooth performance for creative workflows and gaming setups. The durable aluminum design helps with heat dissipation, ensuring reliability during extended use.

Whether you’re a content creator, professional, or gamer looking to streamline your setup, the CalDigit TS4 delivers industry-leading connectivity, speed, and power in a single, compact dock.

Main Features

Interface

• 3 x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s)
• 3 x USB-C (10Gb/s)
• 5 x USB-A (10Gb/s)
• 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
• 1 x SD 4.0 (UHS-II)
• 1 x microSD 4.0 (UHS-II)
• 1 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• 1 x Front Combo Audio In/Out (3.5mm)
• 1 x Rear Audio Out (3.5mm)
• 1 x Rear Audio In (3.5mm)
• 1 x DC In (19.5V 11.80A)

Minimum System Requirements

• macOS 11.4 (Big Sur) or above
• Windows 10 (20H2) or above
• Thunderbolt 4 Computer
• Thunderbolt 3 Computer
• USB-C (USB4) Computer
• USB-C Computer
• Chromebook (Thunderbolt or USB-C)
• iPad Pro/iPad Air/iPad mini (Thunderbolt or USB-C)
• Windows Tablet (Thunderbolt or USB-C)

Power Delivery

• Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Host Port: Up to 98W (5V, 9V, 15V/3A, 20V/4.9A)
• Each Downstream Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Port: 15W (5V/3A)
• Front 20W USB-C Port: 20W (5V/3A, 9V/2.22A)
• Remaining USB-C Ports: 7.5W (5V/1.5A)
• USB-A Ports: 7.5W (5V/1.5A)

Size & Weight

• Height: 5.55” (141.0mm)
• Width: 1.65” (42.0mm)
• Length: 4.46” (113.0mm)
• Weight: 1.41 lbs (0.64kg)

In the Box

• 1 x CalDigit TS4
• 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Cable (0.8m)
• 2 x Rubber Feet Strips
• 1 x Power Cord
• 1 x Power Supply (230W)

Warranty

• 2 Years

Pricing & Availability

The TS4 Docking Station has a list price of $449.95 but is currently available for $379.99 from caldigit.com and Amazon.

User Experience

The CalDigit TS4 comes in sleek, no-nonsense packaging. The front of the box features an image of the dock along with appropriate labeling. The top of the box includes the top features of the dock while the side features a close-up view of all the ports available on the dock. Inside the box, you’ll find the dock itself, a Thunderbolt 4 cable, and a massive 230W power brick—which is a bit bulky and really the only part that I’m not a huge fan of. The dock itself has a solid aluminum build, giving off a premium feel while also aiding in heat dissipation. One of my favorite aspects right out of the box is its compact size, especially considering the sheer number of ports it offers.

Getting started is straightforward and it features plug-and-play technology. I recommend plugging in all your peripherals first and then plugging in the power. In my case, my host computer is a 16-inch MacBook Pro and I connected a set of studio speakers, an external microphone, an external monitor, as well as a keyboard/mouse. As much as I like this dock, there is one little quirk that I experienced early on. The wake-from-sleep feature worked inconsistently for a while. I believe this was an issue on the Apple side of things, but it did stop happening after some OS updates.

The CalDigit TS4 Dock has been a great daily driver for my workstation for a while now and I did end up attempting to use it with a RedMagic Gaming Tablet. While it worked, I wasn’t able to get all the functionality from that connection. I was told that it was because it was Thunderbolt 4 on an Android device. I also noticed that some external devices that require a 2.4 Ghz wireless receiver don’t get the best reception. I have a Razer mouse and keyboard and when I have them both plugged in with their wireless dongles, the mouse is a bit jittery. That ‘jitter’ goes away as soon as I unplug the keyboard’s receiver. I don’t experience this same issue with other docking stations.

Another issue I had with this docking station was the lack of an HDMI port. One of the manifestations of my workstation included the aforementioned gaming PC as well as the Alienware 32 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor. This monitor has two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort. The CalDigit dock only has one DisplayPort and USB-C ports for video signals. I specifically wanted to use the DisplayPort on the monitor for the gaming PC to ensure I had the highest possible video resolution and refresh rate for my gaming activities. By doing this, I was left without an option for a video signal from my docking station to the monitor since there was no USB-C input port on the Alienware monitor. I ended up ordering a special cable (HDMI-to-USB-C) to make it all work. Even though this was a very specific situation, I still think it’s a limitation of the docking station.

Overall, the TS4 is a fantastic hub for my workspace, reducing cable clutter and consolidating all my peripherals.

Conclusion

The CalDigit TS4 is a powerhouse docking station that delivers extensive connectivity, robust power delivery, and solid build quality. With its 18 ports, it accommodates a variety of peripherals, making it ideal for professionals, content creators, and power users. Despite a few minor drawbacks—such as the bulky power brick, inconsistent wireless peripheral reception, and the lack of an HDMI port—the TS4 excels in its primary function of streamlining a workstation. If you need a reliable dock that integrates seamlessly with macOS and Windows, the TS4 remains one of the best options available.

For more information, visit caldigit.com.