CalDigit TS4 review

Verdict

The TS4 has the most documented ports in our reviews (18) and up to 98W of host charging. Its user manual documents up to two monitors when the computer's Thunderbolt ports support dual displays, with full display tables. Among MacBook Air chips, though, CalDigit names only the original M1, which gets one display. For M3, M4 and M5, Apple's limits allow two monitors, but CalDigit does not name those chips, so two monitors through this dock stay unconfirmed.

Pros

• 18 ports, including two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet.
• Up to 98W to the Mac, and CalDigit publishes the power split for every port.
• The manual gives display modes per screen and three documented ways to connect two monitors.

Cons

• CalDigit does not name MacBook Air with M2, M3, M4 or M5.
• One display only on the original M1, the one MacBook Air chip CalDigit names.
• The DisplayPort output works only with active adapters.

Best for

A MacBook Air desk that needs many ports and strong charging with one monitor, or an M3, M4 or M5 owner willing to confirm a two-monitor setup with CalDigit.

Skip if

You need written confirmation of two monitors on your exact MacBook Air chip before you buy.

View on CalDigit

Score breakdown

The overall score is the weighted average of six criteria, each scored 0 to 10 from documentation. A criterion the documentation does not cover scores low by design. See the rubric

1. Mac compatibility documentedWeight 30%8/10

   The manual names Apple silicon chips (original M1; M1 Pro, Max and Ultra), and the product page lists macOS 11.4 or later. MacBook Air with M2 to M5 is not named. Source 3, Source 1

2. Two monitors on MacBook AirWeight 25%1/10

   The original M1 gets a single display through the TS4 (1 point). CalDigit allows two monitors when the computer's Thunderbolt ports support dual displays, but does not name M2, M3, M4 or M5, so those chips score 0 under the rubric. Source 3

3. Display modesWeight 15%10/10

   Dual 4K 60Hz listed for Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 PCs, Intel Thunderbolt 3 Macs and M1 Pro, Max and Ultra Macs; dual 6K 60Hz on M1 Pro, Max and Ultra only. One monitor up to 6K 60Hz on the original M1, and up to 8K 60Hz on DisplayPort 1.4 PCs. Source 3

4. ChargingWeight 10%10/10

   Up to 98W on the host port, from a 230W power supply. Source 1

5. Ports and connectivityWeight 10%10/10

   16 downstream ports: two Thunderbolt 4, three USB-C, five USB-A, SD, microSD, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet and three audio jacks. Source 1

6. Software and limitsWeight 10%9/10

   CalDigit lists its macOS Docking Station Utility as optional. Protected video is not addressed. Source 2

Works with your MacBook Air

Apple's native limits apply to any dock that does not use display software, so no row can go above Apple's column. CalDigit's column shows what its manual says for that chip.

What the manual says

The display section of CalDigit's TS4 user manual (printed pages 12 to 15) covers these points:

• Host rule. You can add up to two external monitors as long as the computer's Thunderbolt ports support dual displays. Users on the original Apple M1 can connect only a single display.
• Dual modes. Dual 4K 60Hz is listed for Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 PCs, Intel Thunderbolt 3 Macs and M1 Pro, Max and Ultra Macs. Dual 6K 60Hz is listed for M1 Pro, Max and Ultra only.
• Single monitor. The DisplayPort output supports up to 8K. In CalDigit's host table, 8K 60Hz is ticked only for Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 PCs, and some modes need DisplayPort 1.4, HBR3 and DSC 1.2 on the host. The original M1 is listed up to 6K 60Hz.
• Three ways to connect two monitors. DisplayPort plus a USB-C video adapter on a spare Thunderbolt 4 port; two USB-C video adapters on two spare Thunderbolt 4 ports; or two USB-C or Thunderbolt monitors connected directly to two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
• Adapters. The DisplayPort output works only with active DisplayPort adapters; a passive adapter will not work correctly.

The manual does not name MacBook Air with M2, M3, M4 or M5. Apple documents two external displays on M4 and M5, and on M3 with the lid closed, and CalDigit's host rule says the TS4 runs two monitors when the computer supports dual displays. Read together, the two suggest two monitors may work on those chips. Neither CalDigit nor Apple states it for this dock on those chips, so our rubric scores them as not documented. If you need two monitors on an M3, M4 or M5, ask CalDigit to confirm your chip, lid state and modes before buying.

Specifications

As published by CalDigit. Values in this table are the maker's, not measurements.