[Refurbished] CalDigit TS3 Thunderbolt Universal Docking Station $195 Delivered @ RebootIT

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decryption on 04/08/2023 - 11:44 reboot-it.com.au (957 clicks)
Last edited 04/08/2023 - 12:12 by 1 other user

Don't know how many of these they have in stock, but they're the best docking station you can get, particularly for Macs.

Includes a power adapter and Thunderbolt cable too.

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  rpb on 04/08/2023 - 11:55

  +2

  Can’t comment on Reboot IT but concur these are top. Prefer over Belkin.

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  frkino on 04/08/2023 - 12:01

  +2

  Thanks OP,
  this is quite a niche dock especially after Apple's M-chips transition because it runs on thunderbolt and has reduced bandwidth when operating in USB-C mode
  https://www.caldigit.com/compare-docks/; and
  https://www.caldigit.com/ts3-plus/#:~:text=Featuring%20both%….

  It also does not have the DisplayLink chip to allow the M1/M2 chips to expand beyond the 1 external display limitation

  substantial research should be done before committing to buying this dock,

  P.S. I am using one, loved it with my Intel MacBook Pro, this is my end-game for dongle life : )

  • 

    superroach on 04/08/2023 - 12:03

    Docks are so complicated now. Do you know what the go to would be for an M1 based one? ie their TS4

    • 

      randomrandom on 04/08/2023 - 12:21

      I am using dell wd19tb for my m1, I bought it for $125 from fb marketplace and it is working fine with dual 4k monitors and 100w charging.

    • 

      frkino on 04/08/2023 - 12:24

      Hi mate, yes, the docks scene has many moving pieces and a bit all over the place
      May I suggest you list your user specs and expectaitons to crowdsource from the OzB community? : )
      Important to note, this dock is not the right one for you if you are looking to overcome the M1/M2 1-external display only limitation because it does not have the DisplayLink chip
      I ran an external GPU-box to my Intel MacBook Pro, but M-series chips no longer support graphic cards due to its unified memory architecture

      Sorry to say, there is not really a go-to, gold standard that can just one-dock-fit-all anymore. CalDigit's docks are very well regarded because their docks were closest (and for many) to the one dock to rule them all in the pre-COVID/WFH times

      Note the TS3 is also showing its age,
      first, you have to consider/overcome that Thunderbolt interface.
      It appeals to the Apple audience because Apple * designed * all the ports out of their laptops except thunderbolt in the USB-C socket shape.

      TS3 can run in USB-C mode, but some of its ports will be disabled, because the docks relies on Thunderbolt 3 bandwidth to run all its ports,
      also, TS3 only has a 1Gigabit Lan port, the TS4 has a 2.5Gigabit port, among other things

      • 

        jammy2006 on 04/08/2023 - 13:53

        The Thunderbolt 3 connector is the USB-C connector, it's not a specific Apple design for their MacBooks. All current MacBook Air's and Pro's support Thunderbolt, with the M2 Pro supporting 2 external displays, the M2 Max supporting 4 external displays and the rest supporting 1 external display.

        I would hazard a guess that most people don't use more then a single external display in combination with their internal display. In which case, it would be preferred to not use a DisplayLink dock, which uses software algorithms to compress display signals and send them over USB.

        Prior to the Apple silicon change, it was preferable not to get a DisplayLink dock due to this additional software and CPU overhead. DisplayLink was considered a cheaper option over a proper Thunderbolt dock.

        Of course if you have a PC with Thunderbolt, none of the above applies to you and I would strongly recommend this over a Thunderbolt dock even if you had multiple external displays.

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  outofgamut on 04/08/2023 - 12:05

  Second that.

  Crazy good price!

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  Switchblade88 on 04/08/2023 - 12:11

  +2

  Had some rather rough experiences with RebootIT a few years ago - delivered items not matching the description, ignoring my messages, dragging their feet to resolve. This was for six laptops, so not just a small retail order.

  If your order arrives fine then they're usually good value, but I can't say the customer service is up to scratch.

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  Larsson on 04/08/2023 - 12:27

  Well… doesn’t have hdmi. Dell TB4 is probably better but also that has a fan, which is annoying.

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  AaronR on 04/08/2023 - 14:33

  +2

  I bought one of these a while ago. Arrived in great condition and works perfectly. Has a pretty short Thunderbolt cable compared to my previous docks (TS3+, WD19TB)

  But the real issue I had, is that I didn't realise a "TS3" was a thing. I wrongly assumed it was a TS3+ which has totally different ports. I managed to overcome it using a different cable, but I kinda wish I realised before purchase.

  Edit: It's available on eBay for $185 when using the $10 off coupon - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/155436374955

  • 

    outofgamut on 04/08/2023 - 17:24

    I’m with you. I also - falsely - thought we were talking about the TS3+…

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  roberte on 04/08/2023 - 21:35

  +2

  Unless you need eSata I'd look for TS3+. They go for $250 on Gumtree (caveat emptor) or new for $439.95 at Apple.