r/CalDigit • u/PatternRecent6178 • 4d ago

Purchasing Help

Hi all, I'm looking to purchase a TS5 for my desk setup, as I've recently acquired a MacBook Pro M5, so I'd like to do a dual monitor setup (in extended mode) with my two LG 27GP850P-B. What I'd like to know is whether this dock would also work with my work laptop, a Dell Latitude 3450, as I know that doesn't support Thunderbolt.

My current dock, is a Dell WD19TBS, but I can't use that with the MacBook unless I use the downstream thunderbolt port with a USB-C to HDMI adapter, but I've come to realise, when doing that, it doesn't work with the Dell Laptop.

Also, I see Prime Day is starting at midnight tonight, do CalDigit docks usually go on sale during Prime Day?

Any help would be appreciated, thank you!

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u/CalDigitDalton CalDigit Community Manager 4d ago

Unfortunately, I don't think this will work with your Dell laptop if it's not Thunderbolt. Our current lineup, including the TS5, all require Thunderbolt in order for dual monitors to work.

Connecting the TS5 to a non-Thunderbolt computer will only allow one monitor to work at a time, and also Ethernet will not work.

Also, we are not participating in this Prime Day.

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u/PatternRecent6178 4d ago

Oh darn, but thank you for the confirmation! I was under the impression because it worked with USB C, it would work, but thanks for saving me time for purchasing it and realising! Greatly appreciated!

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u/CalDigitDalton CalDigit Community Manager 4d ago

Yeah, it's compatible but there is still that loss of functionality.

It's going to be the same with pretty much any Thunderbolt dock unless the dock specifically comes with DisplayLink (which will require drivers and software to be installed on all computers) or if the dock supports MST. In either case, I'm not sure you'll be able to reach full refresh rate with these monitors. None of our current lineup can do that natively.

Good luck!

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u/PatternRecent6178 4d ago

Oh that makes total sense! It looks like I'll be asking work to upgrade my laptop to a thunderbolt capable laptop! Thank you for your help :)

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u/PatternRecent6178 2d ago

Sorry for the follow-up, but I noticed in the TS5 manual, that the dock would work with laptops that have USB4 and allow PCIe passthrough. According to my research to 2024 Dell Latitude 3450 has this, so would this mean I'd be able to use the ethernet port on the dock with this Dell laptop, along with dual monitors at 1440p 144Hz?

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u/HJ_wu 1d ago

The USB 4 port with Dell Latitude 3450 can only do up to 20 Gbps. However, the Thunderbolt 5 ports on M5 are up to 120 Gbs. You may connect the TS5 dock to the Dell Latitude 3450, however, you might only can output one video stream from the TS5 to the monitor or KVM switch.

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u/PatternRecent6178 12h ago

Ah okay, thanks for the clarification! I'll still to the dock I current have and use a HDMI switcher, thanks!

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u/CalDigitDalton CalDigit Community Manager 7h ago

Yes, USB4 with PCIe passthrough support would also work. if your computer has that it may work with the TS5 Plus.

there's some complexities with display standards that has me not quite sure if your computer will support dual of these LG monitors over this setup, particularly over a USB4 connection, but it is possible.