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After several emails where the support person wouldn't provide a name, and I kept asking for one, I got a response from 'Frank.'

'Frank' had the kind of English that makes you think of a foreign accent, oh, let's say, an Indian accent.

'Frank' told me it was my fault.

I had chosen to use a manual IP Address for my computer. My fault.

My system was obviously corrupted. My fault.

My system kernel log was incomplete, perhaps because it was 'intentionally deleted.'

No solution for the problem.

Its the user's fault.

I wish I were this smart. I don't know how he figured out that my system software (new rMBP, fully updated Mavericks) was corrupted without any evidence, but he did. And all my other hardware and software that works? I guess that just supports the fact that the TB hub is perfect, but my hardware and software is causing the issue. After all, with my corrupted system software, I'm seeing all these other issues (zero), while the hub works perfectly (not at all).

Its like my first Dell computer. Doesn't work on first boot. Call Dell, they tell me to call MS. Call MS, they tell me to call Dell.

Its the user's fault. I guess I plugged in the power adapter wrong. Maybe I'm using the wrong color TB cable. Or maybe I oriented the hub on my desk the wrong way relative to the North star.

If you buy one of these and it works, hope that it keeps on working.

If you buy one and it doesn't work, its your fault. You don't get to choose your network settings unless they satisfy the hub. Your system software is corrupted, so do a fresh install, reinstall all your system software, and of course, the hub is SURE to work then, right?

---

BTW, they have never even considered the fact that there's something wrong with the device. I guess they're perfect, and their assembly line is perfect. We should install these on the next generation space shuttle. They're foolproof.

Can you call back and ask to speak to franks supervisor or send a letter to the corporate off in the US.
 
Can you call back and ask to speak to franks supervisor or send a letter to the corporate off in the US.
Yes please. I have never verbally spoken to anyone at CalDigit but my experience with them has been the exact opposite, nothing but great service and attention to detail.
 
overall my unit is work well and features are working as expected.

some minor issues I'm having so far after a week of use.

- when i put my mbp to sleep, my external speakers would periodically pop (connected to the 3.5mm plug). every 5 minutes or so. It was loud enough that it woke my wife in the middle of the night.

solution: turn off the speaker at night.

- same when mbp is sleeping, the dock goes into power save mode. It generates a high frequency whine that it could be very annoying over time, especially at night. I noticed the whine only occurs when you use both thunderbolt ports. I use one of the port connecting to the mbp, another port connecting to the external monitor by DVI to TB adapter. The whine goes away if I unplug the monitor TB cable.

solution: use DVI -> HDMI adapter and connect to the dock's HDMI port.
I need to use DVI on my monitor because power safe doesn't work with HDMI. Whine away.


Overall I like this product. If you need to use both TB ports, you might have to come up with a solution to stop the whine. such as never put the computer to sleep.
 
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Here's more

It still doesn't work.

I'm watching a youtube video. I move to another webpage, and the ethernet is dead.

I've been working on it for an hour. Its this crappy box. I didn't go to sleep, I didn't change any setting, I didn't touch a cable or a connection. Every other device I have works fine.

And their emails are getting more and more accusatory. Its my computer that's bad. I am intentionally blocking them from fixing it, etc, etc.

I am so pissed off I cannot say. I don't like a device that fails repeatedly, but I HATE condescending, rude, arrogant customer service.

I have repeatedly asked for someone else to help, and gotten nothing except, "We tried to help. Its your fault."

Jerks

----------

My brand new rMBP has crashed about 5 times a day since I started using this CalDigit device, but only when I'm plugged into it. When I'm on wireless somewhere else, no crashes.

And they are crashes like I've never experienced on a Mac in ten years. Everything freezes. No Force Quit, no mouse, no Cmd-Tab. Just dead. I can't even shut down, except for holding the power button for fifteen seconds. Then the startup takes a lot of time, and I get an error message that something was seriously wrong.

But only when connected to my CalDigit.

I'm going to bet there's something wrong with this device, hardware-wise. And the jackasses in tech support are going to make me scrap my system software and change all the lightbulbs in my house before they'll even consider that the device might be bad. How logical is that? How much fun do you think that will be for me? How much time (more time) will I waste with these idiots?
 
It still doesn't work.

I'm watching a youtube video. I move to another webpage, and the ethernet is dead.

I've been working on it for an hour. Its this crappy box. I didn't go to sleep, I didn't change any setting, I didn't touch a cable or a connection. Every other device I have works fine.

And their emails are getting more and more accusatory. Its my computer that's bad. I am intentionally blocking them from fixing it, etc, etc.

I am so pissed off I cannot say. I don't like a device that fails repeatedly, but I HATE condescending, rude, arrogant customer service.

I have repeatedly asked for someone else to help, and gotten nothing except, "We tried to help. Its your fault."

Jerks

----------

My brand new rMBP has crashed about 5 times a day since I started using this CalDigit device, but only when I'm plugged into it. When I'm on wireless somewhere else, no crashes.

And they are crashes like I've never experienced on a Mac in ten years. Everything freezes. No Force Quit, no mouse, no Cmd-Tab. Just dead. I can't even shut down, except for holding the power button for fifteen seconds. Then the startup takes a lot of time, and I get an error message that something was seriously wrong.

But only when connected to my CalDigit.

I'm going to bet there's something wrong with this device, hardware-wise. And the jackasses in tech support are going to make me scrap my system software and change all the lightbulbs in my house before they'll even consider that the device might be bad. How logical is that? How much fun do you think that will be for me? How much time (more time) will I waste with these idiots?
If it is that bad then just get an RMA and send it back.
 
Update

No matter how many times I ask for a name (since it appears I keep speaking to different people who keep saying the same things despite my emails), I keep getting email responses with

'Best Regards,





CalDigit'

At the bottom. Just a nice juicy blank instead of a name.

I know these little boys and girls are just trying to create a pissing contest. Its infuriating that I have to restart my computer every time I want to connect.

But obviously its the customer's fault.

I have asked to speak to somebody else a number of times. I have asked that they include their name in their email. The only response I have gotten is that they aren't REQUIRED to use their name. No response to my request to move it up the ladder, or at least to somebody who is an adult.

I have told them over and over I am not going down the same path that did not work, especially because of the bad attitude and instructions that were replete with errors (by searching for answers myself, I found they couldn't even get their standard reply correct). I want an adult, somebody who is willing to read an email and respond with something other than a form reply, or 'its your fault-you intentionally deleted the log', or 'you can't use a static IP.'

Bad customer service. I think its fair to share with others who might consider buying a product from this company. I don't think a customer of ANY company should ever get so mad that steam is coming out of their ears.

I am going to find somebody in corporate whether these people give me access or not. And I am hopeful that the idiots hiding behind anonymous emails can be identified. The company can decide whether they want to be represented by rude jackasses who seem to enjoy pissing off customers.

I will keep posting here until resolved. My way of venting.
 
I understand your frustration. But can't you just RMA your unit and call it a day?

Mine works well with little flaws. If your unit is not working, the CS can't help you to make it work over the phone. Get a replacement or refund and buy another brand. There are a few similar TB docks to the Caldigit.
 
I dont have problem to set static IP address to two of my thunderbolt stations from caldigit. did you try clean install your OS? the units work great from day one and they just added a nice iphone and ipad charging function early last month.
 
I dont have problem to set static IP address to two of my thunderbolt stations from caldigit. did you try clean install your OS? the units work great from day one and they just added a nice iphone and ipad charging function early last month.

Well, that's the issue, isn't it?

I don't have any faith with these people when they tell me in great detail how to get rid of the static IP address. I should screw up my network because they don't know what they are doing?

They're either lazy, selfish, stupid, or all of these. I am trying to salvage the situation because I would like the unit to work. Yet they haven't made any effort outside of making me take the risk to screw up everything because they're too lazy or stupid to address the problem logically.

And no matter how many times I ask for a person's name (so I'm not shuttling between people who keep trying the same thing over and over), or to ask to speak with somebody else, they won't do so.

This kind of effort sucks. But perhaps the company will address it, and the next time one of you needs the support there will be a better process in place, or at least more motivated/less stupid support staff.
 
The only correspondence I have had with CalDigit they have always signed their names and have been super friendly and helpful. This does not sound like the company or the level of service that so many rave about on this site. You must have got hold of the worst agent they have (and it only takes one to ruin a company's good name). I would suggest calling them and trying to get to the bottom of the situation, but be polite at all times (I know it can be hard when you are this frustrated).
 
Posts like #82 above are kind of amusing to read..... :)

I sense the poster is going to continue to feel frustrated for quite some time to come...
 
I am trying to salvage the situation because I would like the unit to work. Yet they haven't made any effort outside of making me take the risk to screw up everything because they're too lazy or stupid to address the problem logically.
Honestly I can't tell you are trying to salvage the situation with the stuff you are posting here. You keep insisting on something that won't ever resolve the issues you are having with the device: people putting there names at the bottom. Who is helping you is the least interesting. Let it go and focus on actually getting it resolved. Ask for RMA instead of their names. Especially since it is quite clear that asking for their names doesn't lead you anywhere.

TL;DR: take a different approach, whatever you are doing now clearly doesn't work.
 
Well, that's the issue, isn't it?

I don't have any faith with these people when they tell me in great detail how to get rid of the static IP address. I should screw up my network because they don't know what they are doing?

They're either lazy, selfish, stupid, or all of these. I am trying to salvage the situation because I would like the unit to work. Yet they haven't made any effort outside of making me take the risk to screw up everything because they're too lazy or stupid to address the problem logically.

And no matter how many times I ask for a person's name (so I'm not shuttling between people who keep trying the same thing over and over), or to ask to speak with somebody else, they won't do so.

This kind of effort sucks. But perhaps the company will address it, and the next time one of you needs the support there will be a better process in place, or at least more motivated/less stupid support staff.
Any update on the situation?
 
After 1 month, my ethernet port on the dock stopped working.

Went through a few rounds of debut and confirmed the ethernet port on the TB dock failed.

Emailed Caldigit support and waiting for reply.
 
I have been using my CalDigit Thunderbolt Station since the first of the year. All and all I am happy with the product, I bought it so when I use my rMBP to do photo editing I can hook up my Dell monitor, wacom tablet and keyboard with one cable. How ever lately the connection has been flakily. Once it connects it fine but it the computer goes to sleep or I bump the thunderbolt cable and I lose the connection I need to reboot. I contacted CalDigit tech support and they suggested I try a genuine Apple thunderbolt cable, I toiled them I was using one of their cables. They still insisted on the Apple cable but did offer to refund my mony if their cable was the problem.
Anyone have issues with the CalDigit cable or any experience with the Apple cable?
 
After few emails and tests with Caldigit support. They are replacing my unit for the ethernet problem.
 
Received my CalDigit dock in the mail today. Haven't had a chance to try it out to any degree but I am cloning my SSD to an external bus-powered USB drive right now.
 
I've had an ongoing issue with the HDMI out on my Caldigit and I've had enough, so I'm going to try to RMA or return it..

I've already RMAd a previous device from Caldigit and had a pretty good experience with their customer service...thing is , I found the same problem regardless of the device...basically whenever I restart my computer the retina screen flickers for about 5 - 10 mins before it syncs the external monitor...and then sometimes it syncs right up.. my work around was to turn off sleep and to just turn off the monitor, but I'm finding this too cumbersome in the long run when I disconnect and reconnect the dock or a restart -

I'm going to try this legato unit and see if I have any improvement.
 
I use it as a docking station at work, and works for me.

+ USB port supplies enough power for my backup hard drive -- unlike my USB 3.0 hub which did not
+ HDMI port supports v1.4 so I can drive my 4k display with it
+ Ethernet/Audio out work fine

o Haven't test the audio in.

I use one with my rMBP (mid 2012) and am very satisfied with the setup. I know that the ports on the rMBP will not drive a 4k monitor. Are you saying the CalDigit port will?
 
I've had an ongoing issue with the HDMI out on my Caldigit and I've had enough, so I'm going to try to RMA or return it..

I've already RMAd a previous device from Caldigit and had a pretty good experience with their customer service...thing is , I found the same problem regardless of the device...basically whenever I restart my computer the retina screen flickers for about 5 - 10 mins before it syncs the external monitor...and then sometimes it syncs right up.. my work around was to turn off sleep and to just turn off the monitor, but I'm finding this too cumbersome in the long run when I disconnect and reconnect the dock or a restart -

I'm going to try this legato unit and see if I have any improvement.

*UPDATE* - I found another work around - I just need to turn off and return my monitor back on...seems to address sync issue immediately...still annoying but a bit less now...Caldigit would likely think it has something to do with my monitor (27" Hanns-G)
 
Whine fix

Hey Folks

Been using this dock for a few months now. Mostly problem free but the high pitched whine when no laptop attached was driving me nuts.

My config:
- NEC PA272W displayport monitor
- Gig ethernet
- rMBP 13

For me, the squeal was tied to the cheap black thunderbolt cable supplied by CalDigit. When I replaced it with an OEM Apple 6' Thunderbolt Cable, the squeal stopped. Easy fix. Hope it helps.
 
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Due to wanting a dual monitor setup (1TB one DVI/HDMI) I am looking for a device to let me daisy chain, with the least power draw. This one is about the cheapest daisy-chain capable on the market so I am looking at it for that reason alone. I would really appreciate it if someone could test:

Will the daisy-chain still work if the power is removed to the Caldigit? Yes, thats right, I don't want or need it on, just to daisy chain.

thanks,
RDP
 
Will the daisy-chain still work if the power is removed to the Caldigit? Yes, thats right, I don't want or need it on, just to daisy chain.

thanks,
RDP

Any Thunderbolt dock is going to require power. The Caldigit is no exception.
 
Thanks for the quick answer, but I'm not sure it addresses my question.

For instance, from Lacie: https://www.lacie.com/ie/products/product.htm?id=10573

"For more energy savings, the front power button even lets you turn off the product without breaking a daisy chain connection. "

Your answer indicates that since the Caldigit is a DOCK it therefore is fundamentally not able to operate in this manner. Correct?

P.S. Not being testy, just wanting to dig down to the facts.

thanks,
RDP
 
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