CalDigit TS4 vs OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock Comparison

CalDigit TS4

There are 18 ports in total, including three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A and USB-C data ports at 10 Gbps, 2.5 Gb Ethernet, DisplayPort 1.4, UHS-II SD and microSD readers, and separate audio in and out. Spec-based reasoning: the 2.5 Gb Ethernet port gives Teams and Zoom a wired link that doesn't depend on busy office or home Wi-Fi.

OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock

The 11 ports include three Thunderbolt ports, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE, USB-A and USB-C ports, an SD card reader and an audio combo jack. Spec-based reasoning: wired 2.5GbE takes venue Wi-Fi out of the equation on video calls. HDMI 2.1 drives high-resolution displays, and the audio combo jack takes wired headsets.

CalDigit TS4

The aluminium chassis stands upright or lies flat, with fins acting as a passive heatsink. There is no fan. Ports are split sensibly between front and back, with SD and microSD readers, audio jacks and a couple of USB ports at the front for things you plug in daily. The rest sit at the back for permanent cables.

OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock

The dock uses a rugged, fanless aluminium case with the power supply inside, so it needs only a standard two-prong figure-8 power cord and a Thunderbolt cable. A fanless design adds no fan noise near a desk microphone. Figure-8 power cords are a common standard, so a replacement is easy to source.

CalDigit TS4

CalDigit's Docking Station Utility adds one-click eject for all connected drives.

OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock

OWC lists MDM compatibility and its Dock Ejector software, which unmounts connected drives in one click.

CalDigit TS4

The dock works with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 hosts on macOS and Windows, and in a reduced mode with plain USB-C laptops. It is certified for Thunderbolt 4. Display support depends on the host: base M1 and M2 Macs support one external display, later base Apple silicon models support two in some configurations, and Thunderbolt 4 Windows laptops can drive two 4K screens through the dock.

OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock

The dock works with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, USB4 and USB-C hosts, including Mac, Windows PCs, iPad and Chromebook. OWC lists support for one 8K or up to two 4K displays. Display support depends on the host. Apple's base-chip Macs differ here: base M1 and M2 models support one external display, and later base models support two in some configurations, so check Apple's tech specs for your Mac.

CalDigit TS4

Plug the TS4 into a Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 laptop and displays, webcam, mic and network connect together. CalDigit lists it as plug and play on macOS and Windows. For a hybrid worker, that means one connection at the start of the day for a USB microphone, webcam and displays.

OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock

One Thunderbolt cable connects the dock to a laptop and delivers up to 90 W charging. A certified 0.7 m OWC Thunderbolt cable comes in the box. Setup is power cord, laptop cable, then displays, Ethernet and a headset. MDM compatibility lets IT teams manage Go Dock workstations remotely, which suits hot desks and travelling staff.