Do I really need a docking station (CalDigit TS4)?

Hardware
1

Hi

Currently, my setup works fine without one: my keyboard plugs into my monitor, and my MacBook Air M2 gets both power and display signal over the same USB-C cable from the monitor.

So what would a dock actually give me? Or is the whole docking station concept basically legacy tech from the Windows world?

Thanks for any explanations or use cases.

2

Bro I have a 4 port USB-3 switcher AND a Dell WD22TB4 dock AND 3 monitors and it’s barely enough.

I run:

  1. Mac Mini M2 Pro (primary computer & server)
  2. PC (secondary)
  3. Mac Mini 2012 (OPNsense router)
  4. Dell Latitude (work laptop)
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3

So, to summarize: your use case is a lot of connections, i.e. additional ports?

4

Are you asking for a reason to buy a dock? It’s a solution to the problem of many wired connections and not enough ports. It sounds like your setup already works for you as is.

I have a CalDigit TS3+ which is the central connection point for many peripherals, plus a monitor, ethernet, and power for my MBP, all through one cable. That leaves me two ports for temporary connections (thumb drives, phone/airpod/watch charger). But if you don’t need it (sounds like you don’t) then it wouldn’t do much besides help drain your bank account!

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5

I had issues with devices including external SSDs just not quite working all of the time. Thunderbolt fixed them. Is it expensive, yes, is it worth it, yes. Do you need it, nope, especially not if your current setup is already working without glitches.

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6

In my case, “additional ports” is really “enough ports for things to be useful.” Plus a dash of convenience.

I have a cheap ($100) Amazon Basics Thunderbolt dock. I use it for my Thinkpad, MacBook Air, and work-issued Dell Latitude.

Peripherals:

  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • HDMI/DisplayPort display (no USB-C/Thunderbolt, no additional ports on it)
  • Keyboard
  • Trackball dongle
  • Webcam
  • Blue Yeti mic
  • Power adapter (USB-C power)
  • Occasionally an iPhone (charging)
  • Occasionally a ring light
  • Occasionally a USB-C card reader

None of the computers has enough ports for all of these (especially the Air). And swapping between computers becomes a 10-second operation as I only have one wire to plug in. If I only had one computer and all my port needs were met by the computer and display (assuming it has a hub built in), I probably wouldn’t have the dock.

My eldest is at college and has the same dock. Only one computer and fewer things getting plugged in (enough that I think their Lenovo laptop has enough ports to cover it), but the convenience factor of “close the lid, unplug one cable, head to class” is worth it.

I’ve thought about upgrading to a CalDigit but the dock I have right now meets my needs. If I get another display, I’ll probably want to upgrade the current dock for ports, bandwidth, or both. Unless the new display can handle some of the work for me.

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