Consider it for
- A Thunderbolt 5 desk with several Thunderbolt peripherals
- Users needing charging above the TS4 rating
Check before buying
- No built-in HDMI or full-size DisplayPort output
- Display combinations and top bandwidth are host-dependent
- Windows Thunderbolt 3 is not listed as a supported host; confirm before purchase
Budget for the connectors your monitors need
Displays connect through the spare Thunderbolt ports. The separate ordinary USB-C accessory sockets are for data, not video. If your monitors accept only HDMI or DisplayPort, include suitable adapters or cables when comparing the total cost with another dock.
Check the exact configuration and included power supply.
Check on AmazonThe laptop determines how much Thunderbolt 5 you get
An 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 or USB4 v2 host is required for the maximum features. Earlier connections can operate at reduced capability. CalDigit publishes separate host-dependent display arrangements, so a headline screen count should not be transferred to an older laptop. Its current Mac requirements also specify macOS 15 or newer.
Where the smaller TS5 differs from the Plus
The TS5 has 2.5Gbps Ethernet and five ordinary USB accessory sockets, one of which is USB 2.0. The 140W host power rating is useful only if your laptop can negotiate the appropriate charging mode. Before paying for a faster dock, identify a real bottleneck: unsupported monitor combinations, storage throughput, or insufficient power are better purchase reasons than the generation number alone.
Connections & compatibility
- Connection to laptop
- Thunderbolt 5/4, Thunderbolt 3 Mac, USB4/v2 or supported USB-C with reduced features
- Display technology
- thunderbolt
- Maximum displays (conditions apply)
- 4
- Power to laptop (W)
- 140
- HDMI sockets
- 0
- DisplayPort sockets
- 0
- Wired network
- 2.5GbE; Thunderbolt or USB4 PCIe host required
- USB peripherals
- 3 USB-C 10Gbps; 1 USB-A 10Gbps; 1 USB-A USB 2.0; 3 downstream TB5
- Display requirements
- Up to three on supported Windows TB5; four requires a documented M5 Max daisy-chain arrangement; older hosts lower
- Mac notes
- macOS 15+; native chip and display limits apply
- Windows notes
- Windows 11+ with supported TB4/TB5/USB4 host; consult exact-host display matrix
These are published specifications, not results from hands-on testing. Maximum screen counts depend on the laptop, operating system, connection and chosen resolution.
Check your setup requirementsSources & specifications
Research checked September 11, 2026. Product revisions, firmware and operating systems can change compatibility.
Review the current listing
Confirm model, condition, seller, included cables and power supply before ordering.
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