CalDigit TS3 Plus thunderbolt 3 dock – 87W charging 7X USB 3.1 ports USB-C Gen 2

By CR EditorTech reviews
CalDigit TS3 Plus thunderbolt 3 dock – 87W charging 7X USB 3.1 ports USB-C Gen 2

CalDigit TS3 Plus thunderbolt 3 dock – 87W charging 7X USB 3.1 ports USB-C Gen 2 is dynamic connectors with your Apple devices. Connect a variety of Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 Type-C, USB 3.0 Type-C, USB 3.0 Type-A, DisplayPort 1.2, Gigabit Ethernet, S/PDIF audio, 3.5mm audio, and SDXC UHS-II peripherals to your compatible system using the space gray TS3 Plus 15-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock from CalDigit. 

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In the Box

1 x CalDigit TS3 Plus 
1 x Power Adapter (180W) – View detailed spec.
1 x Power Cord 
1 x Thunderbolt 3 Cable (Certified 40Gb/s, up to 100W)

Interface – CalDigit TS3 Plus thunderbolt 3 dock – 87W charging 7X USB 3.1 ports USB-C Gen 2

2 x Thunderbolt™ 3
1 x DisplayPort 1.2
5 x USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gb/s, 1.5A, 7.5W)
2 x USB-C
       1 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gb/s, 1.5A, 7.5W) Rear
       1 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 ( 5Gb/s, 1.5A, 7.5W) Front
1 x SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
1 x Digital Optical Audio (S/PDIF)
1 x Gigabit Ethernet
1 x Analog Audio In (Stereo)
1 x Analog Audio Out (Stereo)

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CalDigit TS3 Plus thunderbolt 3 dock – 87W charging 7X USB 3.1 ports USB-C Gen 2 video review

System Requirements

Thunderbolt™ 3 Computers
MacOS 10.12 or later
Windows  10 or later

Dimensions and Weight

Height : 5.15 inches (131.0 mm) 
Width : 1.57 inches (40.0 mm) 
Depth : 3.87 inches (98.44 mm)
Weight: 1.04 lbs (0.47 kgs)

Price and availability

B&H Photo will be CalDigit’s exclusive retail launch partner for the TS3 Plus, and is offering the same pre-order discounted pricing of $249.99 with 0.5-meter cable, $269.99 with 1-meter cable, and $279.99 with 2-meter cable.

CalDigit will be offering pre-orders through its own site with a temporary $100 discount off the regular price. For pre-orders, the TS3 Plus with 0.5-meter Thunderbolt 3 cable is priced at $249.99, while versions with 1-meter ($269.99) and 2-meter ($279.99) cables will also be available.

In addition to the new TS3 Plus temporarily starting at $249.99, CalDigit is also dropping the price of its TS3 to $199.99, down from $299.99. CalDigit claims this makes the TS3 the first Thunderbolt 3 dock with 85-watt charging priced under $200.

Review : CalDigit TS3 Plus thunderbolt 3 dock – 87W charging 7X USB 3.1 ports USB-C Gen 2

Build

just slide on the included pair of rubber strips for cushioning and tip the dock over on its side, and it’ll fit just about anywhere. The aluminum casing has a ribbed design that gives it a bit of an industrial look while also offering some extra surface area for heat dissipation.

Design

CalDigit has generally opted for a boxier design that can sit either horizontally or vertically on a desk. Oriented vertically, the TS3 Plus stands just over 5 inches tall, a little under 4 inches deep, and just over an inch and a half wide, and weighs a hint over a pound. That makes it almost exactly the same size as and quite a bit lighter than the TS3.

USB Ports

The inclusion of five USB-A and two USB-C ports and their distribution between front and back of the dock give you some great flexibility in what you can connect to this dock. The USB-C port on the rear is even a 10 Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 standard, the first time I’ve seen that in a dock I’ve reviewed. The remainder of the USB ports are 5 Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 1, which is the speed typically seen on these docks.

Display

The dock can support a single 5K external display at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt 3, or a pair of 4K displays using the Thunderbolt 3 port and the DisplayPort 1.2 port. Various adapters sold separately allow the Thunderbolt 3 and DisplayPort connectors to be used with various types of displays including HDMI and DVI.

SD Card Reader

CalDigit is now joining the club by offering an SD card reader in the TS3 Plus, and it even supports the SD 4.0 spec over a UHS-II bus interface for the faster speeds with compatible SD cards. Theoretical transfer speeds of 312 MB/s are three times that of the UHS-I bus with SD 3.0 used on other docks. The reader supports standard SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.

Charging

If you’re running your 15-inch MacBook Pro under very heavy loads or you want to ensure the fastest recharge of a depleted battery, 85-watt support is a feature you definitely want to look for in a dock. Unlike some other docks, the TS3 Plus can also support charging of PCs over Thunderbolt 3.

Compatibility

Apple mentioned below models are compatible

Mac Models

  • MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018 – 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020)
  • MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 – 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016 – 2019)
  • iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019 and later)
  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019 and later)
  • iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
  • iMac Pro (2017 and later)
  • Mac mini (M1, 2020)
  • Mac mini (2018 – 2020)

​Editor’s recommendations

By CR Editor

I am CR Editor, a dedicated product reviewer and analyst with a keen focus on delivering genuine value and insights to my audience. My approach is rooted in real-world perspectives, ensuring that every recommendation I make is both authentic and accurate. I specialize in dissecting a wide range of products, from portable monitors to vacuum cleaners and streaming boxes, providing honest assessments that empower consumers to make informed decisions. My work not only fosters profitable content marketing and solid influencer relationships but also emphasizes exceptional customer service and community engagement. I invite feedback and encourage reporting any discrepancies to maintain the integrity of my reviews. Trust in my insights, as I strive to elevate your shopping experience with precision and authenticity.