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CalDigit Element Hub vs Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock: Comparison

CalDigit Element Hub and Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock separate most on power delivery: CalDigit Element Hub at 60 W, Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock at 100 W, 40% in favour of Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock. Host Power Delivery splits them by another 40%, again favouring Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock. They match on 10 other specifications, including connection type, host interface and thunderbolt version.

CalDigit Element Hub (Thunderbolt 4 / 4 Ports / 60W Host Charging / Data-Only / Mac/Windows / ~$100)
CalDigitCalDigit Element Hub
Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock (Thunderbolt 4 / HDMI + Dual DisplayPort / Gigabit Ethernet / Enterprise Fleet Dock)
LenovoLenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock

Specs

Specification
CalDigit Element Hub (Thunderbolt 4 / 4 Ports / 60W Host Charging / Data-Only / Mac/Windows / ~$100)
CalDigit Element Hub
Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock (Thunderbolt 4 / HDMI + Dual DisplayPort / Gigabit Ethernet / Enterprise Fleet Dock)
Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Connection TypeThunderbolt 4Thunderbolt 4
Host InterfaceThunderbolt 4Thunderbolt 4
Port Configuration1x TB4 host, 3x TB4 downstream 40Gbps, 4x USB-A 10Gbps1x TB4 downstream, 1x HDMI 2.1, 2x DisplayPort 1.4, 4x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x USB-C 10Gbps, GbE
Thunderbolt Version44
Max Display SupportDual 4KUp to four 4K@60Hz displays
Max Display ResolutionSingle 8K@60Hz or dual 4K@60HzSingle 8K@30Hz or quad 4K@60Hz
Host Cable Length0.8 m0.7 m
Power Delivery60 W-40%100 W
Host Power Delivery60 W-40%100 W
EthernetNoYes
External PSU Wattage150 W135 W
Bus PoweredNoNo
Max Displays Windows24
Max Single Display Resolution8K8K
Max Single Display Refresh60 Hz30 Hz
Max Dual Display Resolution4K4K
Max Dual Display Refresh60 Hz60 Hz
HDMI Port Count01
HDMI VersionNone2.1
DisplayPort Port Count02
DisplayPort VersionNone1.4
Downstream Thunderbolt Port Count31
USB-A Port Count44
Max USB Data Rate10Gbps10Gbps
Ethernet SpeedNone1GbE
Windows SupportedYesYes
Weight180 g525 g
BrandCalDigitLenovo
ModelElement HubThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock
OS CompatibilityMac, Windows, iPadOS, ChromeOSWindows 10 and above
Source URLhttps://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-4-element-hub/https://techtoday.lenovo.com/sites/default/files/2024-05/ThinkPad%20Universal%20Thunderbolt%204%20Dock%20Datasheet.pdf

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.

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