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.
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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.
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[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
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.
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.[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
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.
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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
Questions:
The specs are here: http://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt%2D3%2Ddock/thunderbolt%2Dstation%2D3/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?
2 4K @ 60 or 1 5K @ 60.