CalDigit TS3 Plus, the best Thunderbolt 3 Dock for your Mac

In a world in which laptops are becoming thinner and lighter and in which the available connections are increasingly scarce but nevertheless the number of accessories that we connect to our computers grows without stopping, there is a type of accessory that becomes more important until it is in many cases essential: the dock.

It is a station (dock) that connected to our computer is responsible for receiving the connections of the rest of the accessories, both incoming and outgoing, allowing us to perform tasks that would otherwise be impossible. Taking advantage of the speed and versatility of Thunderbolt 3 we have tested what is qualified as Best Thunderbolt 3 dock for both functionality and price: CalDigit TS3 Plus. We show you what it offers us and what our impressions are.

A single cable that concentrates everything

The idea of ​​a dock is simple: with a single busy port on your computer you can have all the accessories you need connected. This idea, which is really practical, is not always carried out efficiently, since the vast majority of docks or stations at the end constitute a bottleneck which greatly limits the possibilities of the devices connected to your computer.

However, the CalDigit TS3 Plus has Thunderbolt 3 technology to connect to your computer, which thanks to its data transfer speed of up to 40Gb / s will allow you to connect all your accessories without problems:  5K, 4K monitors, SSD, HD drives, external optical drives, Displayport displays, stereos… All of them connected to your computer occupying a single port. This means that you can come home with your laptop, connect a cable and have all the accessories ready to go.

Also in the case of laptops you will not have to worry about the charger, since this CalDigit station will charge your MacBook Pro thanks to its charging power of up to 85W. When he said that with a single cable you would have everything, he was not kidding.

Design and Specifications

It is a very well designed dock that will not clash on your desk next to your Mac. Made of aluminum with an anodized finish and a very small size (131 x 40 x 98,44mm) taking into account all the connections it includes, the dock TS3 Plus can be placed anywhere, both vertically and horizontally without having to hide. Only its network cable with a huge transformer clashes in an accessory that could otherwise be signed by Apple itself.

As for connections, the variety and quantity will not disappoint anyone, because both on the front and on the back we will find a good handful of them and of all kinds. And till includes an Apple and Intel certified Thunderbolt 3 cable, whose prices are around € 40.

Front

• SD card reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
• Analog audio output
• Analog audio input
• USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
• USB Type A 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps)

Rear

• DC input
• Gigabit Ethernet
• S / PDIF digital optical audio output
• DisplayPort output (up to 4096 x 2160 60Hz)
• USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps)
• 4x USB Type A 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
• 2x Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) (up to 5120 x 2880 60Hz)

As you can see, it is not just about conventional ports, but the TS3 Plus takes full advantage of the latest technologies so that connections are as fast and efficient as they can be at this time. In fact It is the only dock on the market right now that has a USB Type-C port with 3.1 Gen 2 technology, which allows data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps, in addition to Thunderbolt 3 that are the current kings in transfer speeds.

Details like a high speed card reader or the inclusion of an optical audio out port they are much appreciated, especially by those who have a good sound system to which they want to connect their computer to enjoy their music or multimedia content with the quality it deserves. It is also worth noting that the ports that can be used the most are placed on the front, to have quick access to them and not have to grope around the back to connect devices.

By the way, something very important and that we cannot fail to emphasize is the fact that having its own power does not need the computer to which it is connected to be turned on, and all connected accessories will be powered even when switched off or unplugged. You can use it to recharge your iPhone, iPad or any other accessory whenever you want. And let's not forget its charging capacity of up to 85W, you can even recharge your MacBook Pro 15 ″, something that few achieve.

A must for laptops, useful for desktops

If your work is carried out mainly on a laptop both on the move and at home, an accessory like this TS3 Plus dock becomes a must. With a gesture as simple as connect a cable to your laptop you will have at your fingertips all the accessories you have connected to the dock, even a 5K screen or two 4K in extended mode. You won't even have to take the charger out of your bag, because the same Thunderbolt 3 cable will recharge the laptop while you use it with all connected peripherals.

But even if you have a desktop like the new iMac with Thunderbolt 3 technology, you will find this dock very useful, since it makes some ports that are not in the iMac more accessible, or even you can quickly make the switch from iMac to your laptop, by disconnecting the Thunderbolt from the desktop and placing it in the MacBook Pro.

Editor's opinion

The CalDigit TS3 Plus dock can be considered the best in its category for price and performance. With 15 ports in total that meet on your computer through a single Thunderbolt 3 cable, this station is essential for those who use a laptop as the main work equipment, and can be highly recommended even for users of compatible desktop computers. Its charging capacity of up to 85W and its high-speed ports make it an accessory that deserves the highest possible note. It is available in online stores such as Amazon for € 299 (link).