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CalDigit Element Hub vs Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock: Comparison
What is the difference between CalDigit Element Hub and Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4?
Start with host power delivery, because it is the widest measured gap between them: CalDigit Element Hub 60 W against Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 100 W, 40% in favour of Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4. There is a split on max displays windows as well, 2 on the CalDigit Element Hub versus 4 on the Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4.
Which should you buy, CalDigit Element Hub or Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4?
Buy the CalDigit Element Hub for minimalist desk setups already using a separate monitor for video, though it is the wrong buy for office setups needing wired Ethernet. It is equally the pick for laptop users who just need extra USB-C ports and modest charging on the go. It is not the one for anyone needing display output, since it has no video ports at all. The Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 suits ThinkPad-standardized home offices and small businesses and buyers who want dual native DisplayPort outputs without adapters. Avoid it for anyone wanting 8K single-display or the widest port selection, consumer-focused docks do more there. Our rating of the CalDigit Element Hub (6/10): A sensible budget entry point into Thunderbolt 4 port expansion, not a dock replacement. Our rating of the Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 (7/10): dependable fleet hardware with dual native DisplayPort, best value on the refurb market.
What CalDigit Element Hub and Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, connection type, host interface, thunderbolt version, bus powered and max single display resolution included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the CalDigit Element Hub and Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 differ on ethernet speed?
Yes. Ethernet Speed reads None on the CalDigit Element Hub versus 1GbE on the Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4.
Is the Max Dual Display Resolution the same on the CalDigit Element Hub and Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4?
It is. Both are listed at 4K, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- CalDigit Element Hub
- CalDigit
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Lenovo
Connection Type
- CalDigit Element Hub
- Thunderbolt 4
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Thunderbolt 4
Host Interface
- CalDigit Element Hub
- Thunderbolt 4
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Thunderbolt 4
Model Number
- CalDigit Element Hub
- Element Hub
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Port Configuration
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 1x TB4 host, 3x TB4 downstream 40Gbps, 4x USB-A 10Gbps
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 1x TB4 downstream, 1x HDMI 2.1, 2x DisplayPort 1.4, 4x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x USB-C 10Gbps, GbE
Thunderbolt Version
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 4
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 4
Max Display Support
- CalDigit Element Hub
- Dual 4K
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Up to four 4K@60Hz displays
Max Display Resolution
- CalDigit Element Hub
- Single 8K@60Hz or dual 4K@60Hz
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Single 8K@30Hz or quad 4K@60Hz
Host Cable Length
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 0.8 m
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 0.7 m
Host Power Delivery
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 60 W-40%
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 100 W
Ethernet
- CalDigit Element Hub
- No
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Yes
External PSU Wattage
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 150 WBest
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 135 W
Bus Powered
- CalDigit Element Hub
- No
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- No
Max Displays Windows
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 2
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 4
Max Single Display Resolution
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 8K
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 8K
Max Single Display Refresh
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 60 Hz
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 30 Hz
Max Dual Display Resolution
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 4K
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 4K
Max Dual Display Refresh
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 60 Hz
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 60 Hz
HDMI Port Count
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 0
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 1
HDMI Version
- CalDigit Element Hub
- None
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 2.1
DisplayPort Port Count
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 0
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 2
DisplayPort Version
- CalDigit Element Hub
- None
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 1.4
Downstream Thunderbolt Port Count
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 3
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 1
USB-A Port Count
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 4
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 4
Max USB Data Rate
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 10Gbps
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 10Gbps
Ethernet Speed
- CalDigit Element Hub
- None
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 1GbE
Windows Supported
- CalDigit Element Hub
- Yes
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Yes
Weight
- CalDigit Element Hub
- 180 gBest
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 525 g
OS Compatibility
- CalDigit Element Hub
- Mac, Windows, iPadOS, ChromeOS
- Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Windows 10 and above
Which one should you pick?
Choose CalDigit Element Hub if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock if you want the higher host power delivery (100 W vs 60 W).
Price comparison
| Retailer | CalDigit Element Hub | Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $100.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
CalDigit Element Hub
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A sensible budget entry point into Thunderbolt 4 port expansion, not a dock replacement.
Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
7 / 10 Expert Rating
Dependable fleet hardware with dual native DisplayPort, best value on the refurb market.