Away from the hullabaloo of CES 2017, Caldigit has quietly announced two new Thunderbolt 3 docks for the 2016 MacBook Pro, one that provides connectivity along with a charging function, and a 'lite' model with simple port expansion, for users who already have a way of charging their laptop.

caldigit-thunderbolt-3-dock-ts3-ts3lite-extened-monitors-macbookpro2016-hero
The new TS3 dock provides up to 85W of charging for the 2016 MacBook Pro in addition to a selection of connectivity options: On the rear is a DisplayPort, two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, two eSATA ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one of which provides data, video and power to computers. On the front of the case is an extra USB 3.1 Type-A port as well as Audio In/Out jacks.

For users whose setup already accommodates charging their laptop – including owners of the LG UltraFine 5K monitor – the smaller TS3 Lite offers straightforward connectivity: on the rear is a USB 3.1 Type A port, Gigabit Ethernet, a DisplayPort, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and Audio In/Out ports. Around the front is another USB 3.1 Type-A port as well as a standard USB 3.1 Type-C port for data and charging.

Both the TS3 Lite and TS3 can connect a monitor up to 5K resolution. Users also have the option to connect two 4K monitors through the use of a USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort adapter cable (sold separately). The inclusion of DisplayPort for the video output on both docks means that users have the flexibility to select the monitor they want to attach through the use of a HDMI or DVI cable.

The Caldigit TS3 Thunderbolt 3 docking station is available at a pre-order price of $199.99 (regular price $249.99), while the TS3 Lite dock is offered at a pre-order price of $169.99 (regular price $199.99). Both docks are estimated to ship in early 2017. More information is available at the Caldigit website.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Top Rated Comments

alfanick Avatar
116 months ago
It is interesting that absolutely every TB3 dock introduced at CES 2017 looks almost the same and has exactly the same futures and ports placement (even LED...) – CalDigit vs Elgato [1] vs Kensington [2]. There must be some generic OEM manufacturer and these are just rebrands.

[1]: https://www.macrumors.com/2017/01/04/ces-2017-elgato-thunderbolt-3-dock/
[2]: http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/1/5/14126136/kensington-usb-c-dock-sd5000t-thunderbolt-3-ces-2017
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
netwalker Avatar
116 months ago
It is interesting that absolutely every TB3 dock introduced at CES 2017 looks almost the same and has exactly the same futures and ports placement (even LED...) – CalDigit vs Elgato [1] vs Kensington [2]. There must be some generic OEM manufacturer and these are just rebrands.

[1]: https://www.macrumors.com/2017/01/04/ces-2017-elgato-thunderbolt-3-dock/
[2]: http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/1/5/14126136/kensington-usb-c-dock-sd5000t-thunderbolt-3-ces-2017
At least in case of TS3 Lite it does look like it. If true then one could probably find the OEM manufacturer somewhere in Asia.

The TS3 dock looks like a modification of their TS2 dock and I don't remember seeing other docks with the same layout and features. I've been using the TS2 dock for quiet a while now and don't have anything negative to say about it. Among the TB2 docks it seems to be one of the better ones.
[doublepost=1483621924][/doublepost]
And no SD/CF card reader? Who's their target and are they addressing all the issues with the target devices?
The OWC TB3 dock has a card reader (and optical audio out for those that miss that).
https://www.owcdigital.com/products/thunderbolt/thunderbolt-3-dock-overview
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cougarcat Avatar
116 months ago
Questions:
This can support up to two 4K displays, but at what frequency? 60Hz?

Also, will this support future updates to DP and the new HDMI 2.1 spec with HDCP 2.2?
The specs are here: http://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt%2D3%2Ddock/thunderbolt%2Dstation%2D3/
2 4K @ 60 or 1 5K @ 60.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Thursday November 13, 2025 11:35 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 3...
Tim Cook WWDC 2018

Report: Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple CEO 'as Soon as Next Year'

Saturday November 15, 2025 2:40 pm PST by
Apple is preparing for Tim Cook to step down as CEO of the company "as soon as next year," according to the Financial Times. The company's board of directors and senior executives "recently intensified preparations for Cook to hand over the reins," the report said. While the report said that Apple is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, it went on to ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket Now Available to Order, But Already Selling Out

Friday November 14, 2025 6:20 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. iPhone Pocket is available to order on Apple's online store starting today, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. However, it is already completely sold out in the United...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's 2026 Mac Plans

Friday November 14, 2025 3:23 pm PST by
Most of Apple's Macs are slated to get M5 chips across 2026, and there's a possibility we'll even see the first M6 chips toward the end of the year. Updates are planned for everything from the MacBook Air to the Mac Studio. MacBook Air (Early 2026) The MacBook Air will be one of the first Macs to get a 2026 refresh, with an update planned for the first few months of the year. The MacBook...
best early black friday deals

Best Black Friday Apple Deals Live Now - Save on AirPods, iPads, and Apple Watches

Saturday November 15, 2025 1:45 pm PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
tvOS 26 Profiles

tvOS 26.2 Adds a Useful New Feature to Your Apple TV

Friday November 14, 2025 10:02 am PST by
Starting with the upcoming tvOS 26.2 update, currently in beta, additional profiles created on the Apple TV no longer require their own Apple Account. In the Settings app on the Apple TV, under Profiles and Accounts, anyone can create a new profile by simply entering a name and indicating whether the profile is for a kid. The profile will be associated with the primary user's Apple Account,...
walmart new ornametns

Walmart Black Friday Deals Begin Today With Low Prices on Headphones, TVs, and More

Friday November 14, 2025 7:55 am PST by
Walmart's Black Friday sale has officially kicked off today, with an online shopping event that's also seeing some matching deals in retail locations. There are quite a few major discounts in this sale, including savings on headphones, TVs, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Walmart. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us...
CarPlay Pinned Messages

iOS 26.2 Adds New CarPlay Setting

Thursday November 13, 2025 6:48 am PST by
iOS 26 extended pinned conversations in the Messages app to CarPlay, for quick access to your most frequent chats. However, some drivers may prefer the classic view with a list of individual conversations only, and Apple now lets users choose. Apple released the second beta of iOS 26.2 this week, and it introduces a new CarPlay setting for turning off pinned conversations in the Messages...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

Here's When Tesla is Expected to Add Support for Apple CarPlay

Sunday November 16, 2025 6:49 am PST by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Tesla plans to add Apple CarPlay support to its vehicles "in the coming months." This is easily the biggest news for the regular version of CarPlay in years, should Tesla actually follow through with offering the system in its vehicles. As noted by Gurman, this would be a stunning reversal for Tesla and its CEO Elon ...