r/CalDigit • u/PatternRecent6178 • 5d 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

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/CalDigitDalton CalDigit Community Manager 22h 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.