The CalDigit TS3 Plus is a 15-port Thunderbolt 3 docking station that charges your laptop at up to 87W while expanding to a complete desktop setup from a single cable. A key connectivity strength is its dedicated DisplayPort 1.2 output alongside the Thunderbolt 3 port, enabling two 4K displays simultaneously without adapters. On the front you'll find a UHS-II SD card reader, USB-C Gen 1 port, and separate analog audio in/out jacks — useful for studio setups. The rear USB-C Gen 2 port (10 Gbps) is data-only with no power delivery, so plan accordingly for bus-powered devices.
Device Information
- Manufacturer
- CalDigit
- Release Year
- 2018
- Model Number
- TS3 Plus (500561 / 500636)
- Category
- Dock / Hub
Source: manufacturer product page · Last updated: · How we verify port data →
Available Ports
| Connector | Quantity | Power (PD) | Capabilities | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) | 1 | 87 W | DP Alt Mode Thunderbolt | Upstream (to laptop, rear) | 40 Gbps, provides 87W PD to laptop |
| Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) | 1 | 15 W | DP Alt Mode Thunderbolt | Downstream / daisy chain (rear) | 40 Gbps, 15W for connected Thunderbolt devices |
| DisplayPort 1.2 | 1 | — | — | DisplayPort (rear) | Supports up to 4K@60Hz; use with TB3 port for dual-4K output. |
| USB Type-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1) | 5 | — | — | USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 (1x front, 4x rear) | 5 Gbps, 5V/1.5A each |
| USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1) | 1 | — | — | USB-C Gen 1 (front) | 5 Gbps, data only, 5V/1.5A bus power |
| USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) | 1 | — | — | USB-C Gen 2 (rear) | 10 Gbps, data only — no DisplayPort alt mode, no power delivery |
| 3.5mm TRS (Stereo Audio) | 1 | — | — | Audio Input (front) | Analog line-in / microphone input |
| 3.5mm TRS (Stereo Audio) | 1 | — | — | Audio Output (front) | Amplified analog stereo headphone/speaker output |
| Optical TOSLINK (S/PDIF) | 1 | — | — | Digital Optical Audio (rear) | S/PDIF digital audio output |
| SD Card Slot (UHS-II) | 1 | — | — | SD Card Reader (front) | SD 4.0 UHS-II, up to 312 MB/s |
| RJ-45 (Gigabit Ethernet) | 1 | — | — | Gigabit Ethernet (rear) | 1 Gbps wired networking |
Notes & Compatibility
CalDigit launched the TS3 Plus in September 2018. DisplayPort is 1.2 only (not 1.4). Rear USB-C Gen 2 port is data-only — no DisplayPort alt mode and no power delivery. Compatible with Thunderbolt 4 hosts.
Common questions
How many ports does the CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) have?
The CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) has 15 ports in total: 2 × Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), 1 × DisplayPort 1.2, 5 × USB Type-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1), 1 × USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), 1 × USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), 2 × 3.5mm TRS (Stereo Audio), 1 × Optical TOSLINK (S/PDIF), 1 × SD Card Slot (UHS-II) and 1 × RJ-45 (Gigabit Ethernet).
What kinds of ports does the CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) have?
By connector family, the CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) has 7 USB, 3 Audio, 2 Thunderbolt, 1 DisplayPort, 1 Storage and 1 Network.
How many USB ports does the CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) have?
The CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) has 7 USB ports: 5 × USB Type-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1), 1 × USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1) and 1 × USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2). It also has 2 Thunderbolt ports (2 × Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)), which use the USB-C connector shape.
What video connections does the CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) have?
The CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) has 3 ports that can carry video: 2 × Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) and 1 × DisplayPort 1.2. Its Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports support DisplayPort Alt Mode, so video travels over the USB-C connector itself with a suitable cable or adapter.
How is the CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) powered?
The CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) takes power over 2 × Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C). Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) carries up to 87 W. Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) carries up to 15 W.
Does the CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) have HDMI?
No. The CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2018) has no HDMI port. It does carry video over 2 × Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) and 1 × DisplayPort 1.2.