Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 mini Dock prove its value over tacky USB - C docks by offer full power to connected devices and being up to of running two 4 thousand display at 60Hz .
Best Prices Today: CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 miniDock
CalDigit , which make theTS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 tying up station , also sells two other Thunderbolt 3 docks – each of which can run duple 4 K presentation but is cheaper than the multi - larboard TS3P.
you may chop-chop create a background - like setup with such a docking station , tie in up to two high - resolution exhibit , and adding wired Ethernet , plus mouse / keyboard and other USB - A gadget . For more option , check our roundup of thebest Thunderbolt 3 and USB - C docking station .
There are two model of the Thunderbolt 3 mini loading dock : Dual HDMI and Dual DisplayPort . Both are very portable in lightweight but sturdy atomic number 13 , and feature an committed Thunderbolt 3 cable’s length .
Thunderbolt 3 miniDock pricing
The mini Dock Dual HDMI ( £ 134.99 / US$ 129.99 / € 139.99 ) features the two HDMI ports , plus Ethernet port wine and two USB - A ports : one at 5Gbps ( 4.5W power ) and one at 480MBps ( 2.5W tycoon ) .
The mini Dock Dual DisplayPort ( £ 124.99 / US$ 119.99 / € 129.99 ) features the two DisplayPort slots , plus Ethernet port and one USB - A ports ( 5Gbps , 4.5W power ) .
Thunderbolt 3 miniDock features
We very apace got the HDMI miniDock up and run with our MacBook Pro and two 4 G monitoring machine .
Crucially , because of they vaunt the superior Thunderbolt 3 to the identical but weaker USB - C , the two miniDocks can run 4 K at 60Hz , which is preferable for watching summercater and gamey - natural process flick as well as gambling . Non - Thunderbolt 3 USB - coke docks can palm two 4 K displays , but only at 30Hz result .
One of the main difference between the mini Docks and the TS3 Plus is the power supply . While the TS3 is powered and can load a laptop at up to 85W ( ask for full - speed charging of a MacBook Pro ) , the mini Dock draws up to 15W from the laptop itself – so you will take to power the laptop separately .
This level of exponent is possible because the mini Dock uses right 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 and not plain and simple USB - C , like many docking facility that manage just 7.5W and so may suffer powerfulness return .
And power is the reason they do n’t feature too many interface . The USB port wine ( one on the three-fold DisplayPort model , and two on the threefold HDMI modeling ) plus the Ethernet port keep great power requirement under the 15W maximum .
you’re able to grease one’s palms much - cheaper dock stud with many porthole , but these wo n’t swash the office they require when fully or even part loaded .
The mini Dock works with both Mac and microcomputer ( Windows user should check their laptop can handle two streams over Thunderbolt 3 ) , but do require the laptop to feature Thunderbolt 3 rather than plain USB - C. Recent MacBook Pro and the in vogue MacBook Air use 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 , but the 12 in MacBook has the weaker 5Gbps USB - C.
Verdict
The Calldigit miniDock is a great portable Thunderbolt 3 dock , with options for whichever display connexion you require .
