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Caldigit TS4 Dock
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I just ordered a TS4, which I’m going to be using on an ordered MBP (M2 Max), not expected to arrive for 2 weeks. I currently use an Intel MBP running Monterey - I’ve been a bit scared off from upgrading to Ventura since I use a number of external SSDs. Will it be a problem if I update to 39.1 firmware when I get it, even though I’ll be initially running it on an older MBP running Monterey?
Updated mine to 39.1. I was too chicken to use the new Mac updater 😳, though, so went the Windows route using my PC. All good so far, but didn't have any big issues before the update.
Sorry for the late answer, yes, no issues so far. I´m using a Macbook Pro 14" M1 Pro.
Does anyone know how many external hard drives (SATA and nvme included) can be connected via the TS4?
The TS4 has no SATA or nvme slots/ports, so I guess the answer is none. Unless you connected them with a USB or Thunderbolt external case. Then I guess the answer is as many as will fit in your cases. I don't think there's a hard limit. If you've got a USB case that houses 8 drives, get yourself 10x of those and you can have 80 drives.
Sorry if my question is not clear to you. But I do not know how to make it any clearer?
I am asking how many external hard drives that can be connected via the USB ports on the TS4.
I mentioned SATA and nvme because these are the types of external storage currently being used.
There seems to be a power output limit on the TS3 Plus, which restricts the number of external storage attachable to 2-3 depending on the device power draw. Any more devices you connect and all attached devices will disconnect.
So I am asking the same for TS 4.
I am asking how many external hard drives that can be connected via the USB ports on the TS4.
I mentioned SATA and nvme because these are the types of external storage currently being used.
There seems to be a power output limit on the TS3 Plus, which restricts the number of external storage attachable to 2-3 depending on the device power draw. Any more devices you connect and all attached devices will disconnect.
So I am asking the same for TS 4.
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Mac mini m1, 16gig ram, 1 tb sdd, 3 monitors, caldigit TS4 managing: apple superdrive, one monitor, 2 usb 3 HDD, monitoring UPS through usb, internet in through the 2.5 ethernet port, one 12 port usb e hub on the TB4 port running mike, one webcam, one Sony digital camera, and the dongle for my Logitech keyboard and mouse. Mac mini manages Bose USB speakers and headphones, and a Wavelike adapter on the TB4 port to handle one monitor, and the other monitor through HDMI. No sleep, issues, system wakes and sleeps with no problem, no problems r/w the hdds.
I can connect another USB 3 HDD on the front face of the TS4, and read both memory cards without issues. Using also one old iPhone as an additional camera, and an old iPad as a stream deck to control de mini.
Great buy the TS4.
Now I am deciding to upgrade to a Mini M2 pro or a Mac Studio so I can handle 3 or more monitors without depending on the wavelink card. I post a small picture of the system.
I can connect another USB 3 HDD on the front face of the TS4, and read both memory cards without issues. Using also one old iPhone as an additional camera, and an old iPad as a stream deck to control de mini.
Great buy the TS4.
Now I am deciding to upgrade to a Mini M2 pro or a Mac Studio so I can handle 3 or more monitors without depending on the wavelink card. I post a small picture of the system.
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Yeah, I got that. And if you read my comment, which couldn’t be clearer, if you use external self-powered drives, not bus-powered drives, you can put as many on as you want.
The number of bus-powered drives is always going to be limited to just a few given the TS4’s power supply (or Mac’s power supply if they’re directly connected).
Well I re-read your comment and did not find anything you said about self-powered or bus-powered. Just TS4 not having any nvme slots/ports. I thought by saying external hard drives is self-explanatory?
Which is why I asked if anyone knows what the limit was.
Which is why I asked if anyone knows what the limit was.
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"External hard drives" is not simply self-explanatory. Some are self-powered (they have their own power supply plugged in to the mains) and some are bus-powered (draw current from the port they're plugged into). You did not specify, so I said if you have something like an 8-drive case (which would be self-powered), then you can just keep loading up...
The bus-powered limit depends on how much current each drive draws, and is also dependent on what else you have plugged in that also requires power (are you charging an iPad, do you have a web cam plugged in, or only devices that don't really require power like printers and such). SSDs will require less current than, say, 2.5" HDDs, but not all drives are equal, so it's not really feasible to give a specific number of drives. I'm not sure anyone can give a better answer than that. You can read the documentation online to see if a maximum current output is listed, but it isn't documented as far as I know; the documentation does not specify 3 bus-powered drives only.
And again, if you're using self-powered external drives, then there's really no limit.
Seems like a lot of overkill just for plugging in two monitors. Sounds like some of the features still aren't working right. Also, your msg seems like you're using Windows. Have you tried it with an M1 Mac with Ventura?
Thanks for the input.
I'm getting at least 1Gb/s consistently. My home network switches are all gigabit, so I can't tell you if the interface will get up to 2.5Gb/s, but I've seen no other posts suggesting it cannot. No issues with heat. No issues with getting less than 1Gb/s due to other ports being actively used.
I've had none of the issues that Tigo013 has had. Ethernet has shown me no disconnects. No crashes related to drives (no crashes at all, to be honest). No drives or displays spontaneously disconnecting. I've got two Apple Studio Displays, but no issues with display sleep/wake, though that seems like is reported more with 3rd party displays than with Apple displays, anyway.
Agreed - some of their advertised features are not working as they should be. The Unit was not ready for the market when they launched, and their firmware update have not resolved the issues that it had. Thankfully the TS4 unit that I have at least operates well - running the two monitors, and occasional thumbdrive / memory card reader. I reached out to caldigit support as well recently - was advised that I'd be allocated an RMA to replace the unit that I had as they deemed it faulty - after all the tests that I ran again for them. But, then they disappeared when I mentioned that I'm in Australia. Their support issues RMAs to the US-customers!
I do not use Windows, I simply bother my neighbour with any Windows' related matters. I've got an M1 running the latest release of Ventura.
Depends on what you want from it.
It's not the best TB4 dock if you want 3 downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports.
They're all the same to me since I don't have any of them. Except I do have the CalDigit Element Hub. I like that it's small like other Thunderbolt 4 hubs, but also has 4 USB type-A ports. I can use it with old Macs (and even old Power Macs) as a USB 2.0 hub when I want to connect a USB-C external drive that requires too much power for a USB Type A port. I can also use it with the CAC-1336 when I want to connect a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter since the CAC-1336 doesn't seem to work such adapters.
Having a weird issue with the TS4. I'm using it with the M2 Pro Macbook. I have two identical 4k60 displays connected to the dock: one to the DP port, and another via the CalDigit DP->USB Type C adapter to a TB port. The monitors do not wake up when the laptop wakes up from sleep. As a matter of fact, the laptop will not recognize the monitors no matter what - unplugging and re-plugging the dock, displays, or power cycling the dock do no help. The displays are only recognized again after a reboot.
To make matters worse - After this happens, I cannot even connect one of the monitors to the laptop directly using the adapter - it does not recognize it.
This issue does not appear with just one of the displays connected to the dock.
To make matters worse - After this happens, I cannot even connect one of the monitors to the laptop directly using the adapter - it does not recognize it.
This issue does not appear with just one of the displays connected to the dock.
OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock has three downstream TB4 ports as compared with the TS4's two. But the OWC has fewer USB ports (and no USB-C ports other than the three TB4 ports).
A couple months ago I replaced my OWC TB4 dock with a Caldigit TS4 because I wanted some easily accessible UBS-C data ports without having to reach around to plug USB-C devices directly into my laptop. And to be honest, the form factor made cable management a little easier (TB4-in port and audio-out ports are on the back along with the other main ports versus front mounted TB4-in and audio-out on the OWC).
If you want three TB4 ports, the OWC is the way to go. Otherwise, the TS4 is probably the better one.
I tried using a HDMI->USB-C cable for one of the monitors and that seems to have fixed it.
is anyone having issues where HDR is disabled when you wake your mac?
i'm having the issue on an M1 and M2, on the latest 39.1 TS4 firmware.
i'm having the issue on an M1 and M2, on the latest 39.1 TS4 firmware.