Premium USB Hubs For Mac Explained: Make Or Break Details!
Premium USB Hubs For Mac Explained: Make Or Break Details!
Premium USB hubs for Mac can be deceiving. In this video, I’m diving into Thunderbolt, External monitor support, cables, and more.
ALL THE GEAR IN THIS VIDEO IS LISTED BELOW 👇
If you want to expand your port selection while retaining the super-fast speeds Macs have to offer — whether it be an M1 MacBook Air, M2 MacBook Air, or a 14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro M1 Max, a premium USB dock is almost a must.
Premium hubs have a few specs and details that aren’t super clear (Thunderbolt 3 Thunderbolt 4, USB4 can be confusing!), and with even more USB hubs and docks posing as premium when they’re not (like DisplayLink), it can really help to break down what all of this means, and how it all works.
CalDigit was kind enough to provide the products for this video, all of which are simply OUTSTANDING quality-wise.
Previous video for those who want to learn even more about USB Hubs for Mac: https://youtu.be/Od_Hj4Su7dM
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CALDIGIT PRODUCTS:
CalDigit TS4: https://amzn.to/3Fc80Ji
CalDigit TS3 Plus: https://amzn.to/3OJ3fd4
CalDigit TB4 Element Hub: https://amzn.to/3EN1t6k
MY OTHER DESK SETUP GEAR:
Apple MacBook Air M2: https://amzn.to/3PtGZCG
Hagabis Vertical Stand: https://amzn.to/3dC3wAl
Razer ProClick Mouse: https://amzn.to/3CvIGdf
Logitech MX Keys Mini: https://amzn.to/3PrfUQE
Edifier MR4 Speakers: https://amzn.to/3dBAJLS
LG 27UP850-W Ultrafine 4K Monitor: https://amzn.to/3Ps0w6w
NVMe SSD Enclosure: https://amzn.to/3SQIFct
Western Digital SN770: https://amzn.to/3A6aZPI
Grid Studio iPhone Classic Kit: http://shrsl.com/3nsgi
Harber London Folio Macbook Leather & Felt Sleeve: https://shrsl.com/3nrg1
Harber London Felt Wool Desk Mat: https://shrsl.com/3nsgr
BenQ ScreenBar Monitor Light: https://amzn.to/3w7DQBH
0:00 Introduction
1:49 Thunderbolt 3 vs Thunderbolt 4 vs USB4
3:59 CalDigit TS4, TS3, Element Hub Ports
5:12 External Monitor Support
10:16 Why Cables Matter
11:52 Other Peripherals To Consider
13:29 Why CalDigit Hubs Are Excellent
14:36 Wrapping Up
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Maybe a dumb question, but are there any docking stations out there with a power button that will initiate a boot up MacBooks (this is when MacBook has been shut down)?
I have a Lenovo dock that works really well with my work issued windows laptop. However, that same dock will not power on my MacBook when its fully off and in clamshell mode.
Im a wrong at wondering why the ivanki dock isn’t included in comparing the TS4.
I wish a dock existed that had a hot swappable ssd and 4 video input capture cards.
👍
Elements hub for sure on M2 Mini. Crucial SSD and all is well!
Holy crap, I just got a new MacBook and Studio Display. I need more ports on a dock that stays at the workstation. I was surprised to find out this was such a confusing topic.
If you go on Amazon, you’ll see that the TS4 only has a high, 5 star score of 65% and a low, 1 star score of 15%.
I have found that any product with these stats ends up being purchase with a 100% return rate from on the few that I have gambled on.
All of the 1 and 2 star reviews share the same complaints: global peripheral disconnect from the hub when in sleep mode and not able to be restored without rebooting the computer and non existent to extremely slow customer support.
hi, Could this digital TS 4 supply the power to the LG monitor (DC input 19V)
I have a question that’ve been bugging me. There are docks stations that allow charging macbooks directly, without having to use the charger that came with the device. This docks, if I understand correctly, have faster speed (allowing to process bigger files faster), which is a plus. But is it dangerous to the MacBook’s battery?
Appreciate breaking down the standards and use cases. Informative and great SNR. Thanks.
@kyle I bought the MacBook Air m2 about 2 months ago and have been using one external monitor with it all fine, however I am looking to get a second external monitor and I’m really unsure on what to look at in terms of docks, you’re two videos have been very informative, perhaps too much so as I still don’t really know where to look for my needs, my budget isn’t too high I’m “a mac user just looking for something that works”
Dude, slickest sponsored video commercial transition ever. I need to steal that.
Thanks!
@Kyle, you are a real gift to us. Thank you for your research and very well thought through videos and recommendations. Liked and subscribed, and looking forward to watching more of your thinking.
if the caldigit stuff doesnt have displaylink how do you run multiple monitors with macs?
For sale in the Apple Store. Enough said. Should I need a dock/hub, CalDigit is the way to go.
Hello, I have MBP MaxM1Silicon. Will this CallDigit TS4 render from M1 Max to 5k Monitor Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G95SC 2023 49inch " Or I need a usb c to Display port also 🤔.
With your reviews I have decided to buy the TS4 for my MBP 16 inch with M1 Max chipset. My only question – is it better to power the MBP through its Magsafe or through the TS4 Thunderbolt upstream port? When both the Magsafe & Thunderbolt upstream are connected, does the MBP default to the Magsafe or Thunderbolt power source?
Great video! A wealth of valuable knowledge learned from a single video. Liked and sub’ed!
@Kyle Erickson
I’m so confused as to which one to get. My limit is £250. I need a powered dock for my music studio setup. I need to connect:
> 1 USB port for HDD ( I might switch to an SSD, from which I will need 10Gbps transfer speed)
> 1 USB Audio Interface (I could try switching to USB-C for this one if needed)
> 1 USB port for MIDI keyboard
> 1 USB port for powering my LED strips
> 1 USB-C for monitor DELL S2722DC (2K @ 75Hz)
> 1 USB-C for connecting my 2020 Macbook Pro 13"
> 2 Ethernet ports to connect my studio monitors (1 port would work too)
> maybe an extra USB-C port just in case?
Idk which Hub to get.
QUESTION: I have a monitor that sends 65W of power through it’s cable. it connects via USB-C. If the USB Hub is gonna be powered, and the monitor is also sending 65W of power, do I need to be worried about anything for the macbook?
the thunderblot 4 docks choice are so few and expensive.
What an amazing amount of information! Great video.
I’m confused, will the calDigital do dual monitors with out software on MacBook Air M2? I have the Tobenone Dock and it uses instantViewer and the second monitor is way off color from the first. I need better.
If you are gonna get element just get the owc thunderbolt 4 dock. I got it on a sale for $200, and it has 4 usb A connections 3 thunderbolt, ethernet, sdcard slot with 150w power brick that supports 96w charging for laptop ethernet. I use 5120p x 1440p monitor on 120hz with this dock and bunch of peripherals connected to it. been great
Thanks for the great video. On the Element Hub, if I plug a USB device into the thunderbolt (USB-C) ports, what speed should I expect?
Any noticeable bandwidth impacts on connected devices (I.e. SSDs) with 2x 4K monitors connected to the TS4? 4K monitors can account for ~30 Gbit/s themselves.
I have a displaylink hub for my MacBook Air and it works great for me – but I don’t play games/watch videos (except YouTube) and just do programming/web development. Also I don’t have 4K monitors so that might make a difference; but I haven’t noticed any blurry image or latency etc. But if I was going to do gaming I would just plug the monitor directly into the MacBook with thunderbolt – I’d only need one monitor for a game anyway.
Super informative and well researched video. I especially liked the objective and well structured presentation of the topic. Props!
"2 for 2!" Thx sir. You did it again. A couple of months ago I searched for a realistic review of a docking station for my wife’s M2 Air – and you delivered. This time I looked at getting a Dock Station for my 14" M1 Pro. I did purchase another dock station from Orico. But wasn’t feeling it. Then I saw the CalDigitTS4, but not feeling the price. Then thought, what does Kyle think? Saw your review and pulled the trigger. Still not feeling the price, but definitely feeling the docking station. Your review eased the "$" pain. Thanks again. We’re well setup now.
Okay Kyle, throwing a curve ball here. I’m coming from a PC-based situation with external monitors that can only connect via HDMI. I’m really trying to go after a suitable hub that’s suited for Macbook Pro 14" w/ M2 Max chip, but can still handle that HDMI setup.
Kyle Question: will the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub be a stable hub for USB external drives for transferring large amounts of data between them? Great video thanks
And not just connect the thunderbolt directly to MacBook M1 Max? Like if all we need is monitor connection, is there a need for the caldigit ?
I just want to make sure I can have my MacBook Pro closed and use 2 monitors
Kyle, Great info to follow up on your previous USB hub video! So these three Caldigit models do not use (or need) the Display Link S’ware. How then are they able to let me run my two Dell (5 Gbps I think) U2415 1920×1200 60hz monitors? What ports and cables would I use to connect my two monitors to: 1) The Element Hub? 2) The TS3 Plus? Thanks so much for your help with this confusing info.
Cheers, Dave
I like those light at the back of your studio, where did you get them from?
The problem I have is not enough usb-c ports. Don’t care about USB A need C. Even Ankers 13-1 don’t provide enough USB-C. I have connected to mine 3 external Hard drives, the other day my Mac-mini shut down two of the drives for drawing to much power. Could I take the Anker and plug a usb c hub into one of the USB-c ports and get around the power issue?
I recently purchased one of Corsair’s TBT200 docks/hubs for use with both a MacBook Pro M2 Max and a PC that I switch between. I can’t compare it to the Caldigit, since I don’t have one, but it’s quite a premium device and I’m quite happy with it. It does lack the displayport that the TS4 has but makes up for it with three TB4 ports (not including the host port). I drive two external monitors using TB4 to displayport for one and USB C to HDMI for another. And it’s $200 CAD cheaper than the TS4 up here in Canada.
would these support 1440p @ 144Hz?
Great review. Spot on , on the differences between the CalDigit products. I am torn between the Element Hub and the TS4 . Leaning towards the Element Hub for portability and due the fact that I Run My Asus Pro Art display directly into my MacBook Pro M1 via USB-C* to power the MacBook and get full 4K at 60 FPS. I would be using the Hub on the other Thunderbolt port on the M-1 and was wondering which of the CalDigit Hubs/Docks would work best for that. Also was wondering if the Element Hub can be used without the brick plugged in for portability when using it with my M-2 iPad Pro. I will be connecting multiple SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD’s and my Insta 360 X3 camera as well as from time to time one of my DJI Drones to download and edit video.
After hours of searching this is the more helpful video on these hubs. Thank you!
M2 mini + Crucial SSD!!!
@KyleErickson what is the proper/best way to connect a ts4 and Mac Studio Display? I’ll be using the setup with my 2019 15” MBP, 13” M2 and 15” M3 MBA’s.
Thanks!
Just a small update here folks — if you’re looking for the TS4 hub, and you’re like "wtf, it’s out of stock everywhere", CalDigit informed me that you should see stock back in a couple of weeks (mid-December)
Hello, (sorry for bad english) i’ve wanted to know if it’s possible to connect various (4) samsung 24′ inch 2k monitors that connects to usb c instead of hdmi,
to a macbook m1 via thunderbolt or any usb c hub?
Thanks.
Why do they have so many USB A ports? We’d be better off with more USB C ports
Outstanding video! It is packet with very useful information and covers these hubs end to end and then some. It must have taken weeks to write it.
‘It just works’…..I sure wish my TS4 worked, it will only stay on for about 5 minutes then shuts down even with no devices plugged in. So far support has been worthless at caldigit.
What you didn’t cover is that many drives won’t perform like on their box in Macs.
Excellent overview! Thanks for all the work and effort!
I know you’re talking as I can hear sound, and your lips are moving, but the quantity of information you’re giving exceeds my brain speed on a Sunday morning.
I needed this video. Saved me a lot of money. I don’t have anything needing the TS4.