The Caldigit TS3+ offers 5xUSB-A and 2xUSB-C - but how many of those ports are independent as opposed to sharing a single port with other devices via an internal USB hub?
Looking at "About this Mac -> System Report -> USB" should be informative as it should show up any internal hubs and whether the SD card, Ethernet, audio etc. are connected via internal USB.
Scenario: I've got a 2017 iMac and need more USB ports.
Obvious default solution would be a plain old cheap-as-chips USB3 hub - but that is just sharing 1 existing USB port between N ports. Using a TB3 dock like the Caldigit TS3+ instead adds extra USB controllers connected via 20Gbps TB3 which should be better....
I came across this StarTech 'multi channel' TB3-to-USB adapter online:
https://www.startech.com/uk/Cards-Adapters/USB-3.0/Hubs/thunderbolt-3-usb-3-1-hub~TB33A1C
... which superficially seems like an expensive way to get a 4-port USB hub - but the twist is that each port is independent - with its own controller, not shared with the other 3 ports - so its kinda in a different league.
NB: the price from other online resellers is substantially lower than on the Startech site, which is why I'm considering it...
...which brings me on to the actual question: The Caldigit TS3+ is more expensive, but superficially offers more USB ports - but are those all independent ports with potentially full bandwidth/low latency?
(I'm guessing the 10Gbps USB-C connector comes off the Thunderbolt controller chip).
I don't need the TS3+'s Ethernet or the power delivery (because iMac) and the front-facing SD slot is useful, but not essential. OTOH, the StarTech is cheaper, and because all of the USB ports are direct-to-controller, it could stand having another USB hub hung off it for 'mass connectovity'.
Looking at "About this Mac -> System Report -> USB" should be informative as it should show up any internal hubs and whether the SD card, Ethernet, audio etc. are connected via internal USB.
Scenario: I've got a 2017 iMac and need more USB ports.
Obvious default solution would be a plain old cheap-as-chips USB3 hub - but that is just sharing 1 existing USB port between N ports. Using a TB3 dock like the Caldigit TS3+ instead adds extra USB controllers connected via 20Gbps TB3 which should be better....
I came across this StarTech 'multi channel' TB3-to-USB adapter online:
https://www.startech.com/uk/Cards-Adapters/USB-3.0/Hubs/thunderbolt-3-usb-3-1-hub~TB33A1C
... which superficially seems like an expensive way to get a 4-port USB hub - but the twist is that each port is independent - with its own controller, not shared with the other 3 ports - so its kinda in a different league.
NB: the price from other online resellers is substantially lower than on the Startech site, which is why I'm considering it...
...which brings me on to the actual question: The Caldigit TS3+ is more expensive, but superficially offers more USB ports - but are those all independent ports with potentially full bandwidth/low latency?
(I'm guessing the 10Gbps USB-C connector comes off the Thunderbolt controller chip).
I don't need the TS3+'s Ethernet or the power delivery (because iMac) and the front-facing SD slot is useful, but not essential. OTOH, the StarTech is cheaper, and because all of the USB ports are direct-to-controller, it could stand having another USB hub hung off it for 'mass connectovity'.