Caldigit TS4 or TS3?

[Canadia69]

Im looking to buy a new thunderbolt dock and I cant seem to choose which one to get. I wanna hookup my macbook pro 15inch 2019 to 1 4k display, webcam, speakers.

I was settled on the Caldigit TS4 but im reading it has plenty of problems compared to the TS3+.

The TS3 uses thunderbolt 3 instead of 4, costs ~200 CAD less than the TS4 and only charges at 85W compared to the 96W on the TS4

Should i go with the future proof choiceand pick the TS4? (Is anyone experiencing problems with it)

Or stick with the safer option thats not so future proof ans get TS4

I also notice that the TS3+ only outputs 85w of power, which is okay for my 2019 MBP but will it be too weak to charge a future 16inch MBP that requires 100W of output?

Thx

 

[chrfr]

I also notice that the TS3+ only outputs 85w of power, which is okay for my 2019 MBP but will it be too weak to charge a future 16inch MBP that requires 100W of output?

It's unlikely a future 16" MBP would require 100W of power to charge. The current one can use up to a 140W charger but it's not mandatory by any means.

 

[HDFan]

but im reading it has plenty of problems compared to the TS3+.

What problems did you find?

 

[Arctic Moose]

The TS4 also lacks optical audio out, but does have 2.5 Gbit Ethernet.

 

[Canadia69]

What problems did you find?

I read that there was people having issues updating the firmware after the release of macos venture.

And i also saw 2 different posts on reddit about having to disconnect and reconnect all cables after wake from sleep…and these were all issues i saw with the ts4.

 

[Canadia69]

It's unlikely a future 16" MBP would require 100W of power to charge. The current one can use up to a 140W charger but it's not mandatory by any means.

Do you know what is the minimum wattage required to prevent a mac from discharging?
Im sure its way above 85w but im still curious how much a dock requires to power a mac

 

[Arctic Moose]

Do you know what is the minimum wattage required to prevent a mac from discharging?

It depends on the power draw of the laptop. I doubt any Apple Silicon laptop will ever draw over 85W under normal usage, and even if there are long stretches of compiling, video rendering or other heavy loads, the battery will recharge quickly.

 

[chrfr]

I read that there was people having issues updating the firmware after the release of macos venture.

And i also saw 2 different posts on reddit about having to disconnect and reconnect all cables after wake from sleep…and these were all issues i saw with the ts4.

There’s still no Mac firmware updater for the TS4 so those who have older units and don’t have access to a Windows computer would still be having the problems that came with the earliest TS4s. Any recent one, and one that’s been updated should be pretty stable. I don’t see any issues with the TS4 that I have with the current firmware on it.

 

[Canadia69]

There’s still no Mac firmware updater for the TS4 so those who have older units and don’t have access to a Windows computer would still be having the problems that came with the earliest TS4s. Any recent one, and one that’s been updated should be pretty stable. I don’t see any issues with the TS4 that I have with the current firmware on it.

TS 4 it is. Thx

 

[xraydoc]

There’s still no Mac firmware updater for the TS4 so those who have older units and don’t have access to a Windows computer would still be having the problems that came with the earliest TS4s. Any recent one, and one that’s been updated should be pretty stable. I don’t see any issues with the TS4 that I have with the current firmware on it.

FYI, there's a Mac-native firmware updater now for the TS4. Just came out like last week or so. Requires macOS Ventura apparently, but will update older units to firmware 39.1. Newer units already have this installed from the factory.