CalDigit TS4 vs TS5 Plus: check the host before upgrading
Charging, wired networking and connection options compared without assuming a Thunderbolt 5 dock upgrades an older laptop port.
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Swipe the table sideways to see both models.
| Spec | CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 | CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 5 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Host connection | Thunderbolt 4, rated up to 40Gb/s. [1] | Thunderbolt 5, rated 80Gb/s bidirectional; up to 120Gb/s in Bandwidth Boost mode for demanding display configurations. [2] |
| Laptop charging | Up to 98W. [1] | Up to 140W. [2] |
| USB data connections | 5 USB-A and 3 dedicated USB-C ports, rated up to 10Gb/s. [1] | 5 USB-A and 5 dedicated USB-C ports, rated up to 10Gb/s. [2] |
| Wired network | 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet. [1] | 10 Gigabit Ethernet; a Windows driver is required. USB4 hosts need PCIe support for Ethernet. [2] |
| Display connector | DisplayPort 1.4 and 2 downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports; display results depend on the host. [1] | DisplayPort 2.1 and 2 downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports; display results depend on the host. [2] |
| Buy | Check price | Check price |
Which one should you get?
A 10GbE workflow: investigate the whole network, not just the dock
The TS5 Plus adds a higher-rated network connection. Check the host, driver, switch, cabling and destination before treating that rating as a real transfer-speed improvement.
An existing Thunderbolt 4 laptop: start with what is actually missing
Charging, port layout or networking may justify a change. A newer dock alone does not establish that your existing host can deliver Thunderbolt 5 performance.
Limits of this comparison
- TS5 Plus is not for an ordinary 5Gb/s or 10Gb/s USB-C host. CalDigit excludes Thunderbolt 3 Windows PCs and requires PCIe tunneling on USB4 hosts; check its OS, processor and firmware requirements before buying.
- Do not read 120Gb/s as general bidirectional storage bandwidth: CalDigit describes a display-oriented allocation of up to 120Gb/s with 40Gb/s in the other direction. Display count and refresh rate still depend on the exact host.
- No hands-on testing: speeds, simultaneous workloads, thermals and charging have not been measured. Advertised maxima are not a compatibility guarantee. Exact hardware revisions, regional bundles and your laptop/display combination remain unverified; prices, stock and returns are not tracked.
Sources
- CalDigit — TS4 interfaces, power and host notes (Global, checked 2026-10-27)
- CalDigit — TS5 Plus interfaces, requirements and Bandwidth Boost FAQ (Global, checked 2026-10-27)