CalDigit TS4 & How I Use It Switching from Mac, Gaming PC, Work Laptop (PC)

[@CalDigitHQ]

Thanks for making the video about our dock! Hearing real user feedback like this and seeing how our docks get used in the real world helps shape our future products. Cheers!

[@bjornark]

You are welcome. 👍

[@WINDSHEAR-STUDIO]

These docks are useful. But as in your setup and probably millions more, it would be nice to have easy to use switches on the front. In other words, everything here gets hooked up to the dock and the user need only to switch on the front to access different sources, equipment etc. The designs trends seem to be very slowly changing from industrial looking, to prosumer aesthetics. But we should be there now. If you look at some of these docking stations, some are really ugly and messy looking and some have ports all over the place. I would like to see all the mess on the back with a nice front, pretty with lots of switches to operate the unit. And cut down on the need to still pull cords out and put different ones in, which is part of the reason we buy these. Not just for greater accessibility but simpler operation and a tidy desktop.

[@rjarora5054]

Thank you so much showing us this!

[@bjornark]

You are welcome.

[@dplj4428]

98 power distribution between devices? 3:49 4:26 thunderbolt usbc to to monitor or do a displayport to hdmi adapter?

[@infriad]

I also use TS4 and daily switch between M1Pro MBP and Lenovo work pc and it used to work lika a charm but not anymore. I have to reconnect multiple times every time I switch. Have you experienced anything like this?

[@bjornark]

No but I havent had it for so long. Have you asked CalDigit for help?

[@infriad]

@@bjornark Not yet, but I think I need to do that now. It’s not a cheap unit and it should work.

[@CalDigitHQ]

@infriad Hey, sorry to hear that! Here's a couple things you can try to help alleviate this behavior: First, power cycle your dock. You can do this by disconnecting it from wall power for 30-45 seconds before plugging it back in. This gives the dock time to fully discharge and restart fresh, which can shed intermittent misbehaviors the dock may be exhibiting. Second, try swapping out the Thunderbolt cable for a different Thunderbolt cable. We always recommend using the included CalDigit Thunderbolt cable to ensure proper compatibility, so try that if you're not already. Generally, Thunderbolt cables are tested and rated for extended use, including plugging and unplugging, but cables are still cables can be damaged, which can introduce misbehaviors like this. If you don't have ready access to a different Thunderbolt cable, you can also temporarily test with a USB-C cable to see if this clears up the behavior, though the dock's performance will be diminished with this kind of cable, so we recommend swapping back in the Thunderbolt cable even if the USB-C cable fixes the issue, at least until you can get a replacement Thunderbolt cable. If the faulty cable is one of ours, our support team can help warranty you a new one. Beyond this (or if our cable turns out to be faulty), I recommend you get in touch with our support team for additional diagnosis and troubleshooting. When you reach out, let them know the steps you tried here and that Dalton (that's me) instructed you to try them - this could help expedite your support experience. You can best reach our support team via email at [e-mail]

[@guitaravind]

Very helpful video! Quick question - when you disconnect your MacBook, do you have any issues with external SSDs or Time Machine if you don’t eject the disks or power down before disconnecting? Thanks again!

[@WINDSHEAR-STUDIO]

@@guitaravindgreat question- I wanna know too. From what I’ve read, the ssd drives have to be ejected first from the dock before unhooking the dock from the mac. But I’m not certain this is 100% the correct method. It just makes sense to do it this way.

[@jacekdebski9297]

Does the docking station support night mode when an external monitor is connected? ;)

[@bjornark]

HMmmmm

[@jacekdebski9297]

I met with this problem when connected to another docking station (I don't remember the company, probably it was Dell). It was strange for me because night mode worked on the built-in monitor in the laptop but for external monitors (when all was displayed simultaneously) didn't. On yet another docking station for the same laptop, night mode worked fine.

[@bambusek7]

Are you connecting audio interface to the dock? I was ducking also a dock but I was getting crackles/artifacts when connecting audio interface via the dock and not directly, do you have the same issue?

[@bjornark]

Yes I do. It works very well.

[@tambudzai2754]

Thanks Sir!

[@wilkopiano]

Lazy driver programmers or intel amd / microsoft windows just dropping support thunderbolt cause they can’t be a*sed anymore.😂