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CalDigit Element Hub vs Microsoft Surface Dock 2: Comparison

CalDigit Element Hub and Microsoft Surface Dock 2 separate most on power delivery: CalDigit Element Hub at 60 W, Microsoft Surface Dock 2 at 120 W, 50% in favour of Microsoft Surface Dock 2. Host Power Delivery splits them by another 50%, again favouring Microsoft Surface Dock 2. They match on 10 other specifications, including max display support, host cable length and bus powered.

CalDigit Element Hub (Thunderbolt 4 / 4 Ports / 60W Host Charging / Data-Only / Mac/Windows / ~$100)
CalDigitCalDigit Element Hub
Microsoft Surface Dock 2 (USB4/USB-C / 6 Ports / 100W Host Charging / Dual 4K@60Hz / Windows / ~$220)
MicrosoftMicrosoft Surface Dock 2

Specs

Specification
CalDigit Element Hub (Thunderbolt 4 / 4 Ports / 60W Host Charging / Data-Only / Mac/Windows / ~$100)
CalDigit Element Hub
Microsoft Surface Dock 2 (USB4/USB-C / 6 Ports / 100W Host Charging / Dual 4K@60Hz / Windows / ~$220)
Microsoft Surface Dock 2
Connection TypeThunderbolt 4Surface Connect
Port Configuration1x TB4 host, 3x TB4 downstream 40Gbps, 4x USB-A 10Gbps1x Surface Connect host cable, 2x front USB-C 10Gbps (15W), 2x rear USB-C 10Gbps with DP 1.4 Alt Mode, 2x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x GbE, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
Thunderbolt Version4None
Max Display SupportDual 4KDual 4K
Max Display ResolutionSingle 8K@60Hz or dual 4K@60HzDual 4K@60Hz
Host Cable Length0.8 m0.8 m
Total Ports87-12%
Power Delivery60 W-50%120 W
Host Power Delivery60 W-50%120 W
EthernetNoYes
External PSU Wattage150 W199 W
Bus PoweredNoNo
Video PathThunderbolt NativeDisplayPort Alt Mode
DisplayLink Driver RequiredNoNo
Max Displays Windows22
Max Dual Display Resolution4K4K
Max Dual Display Refresh60 Hz60 Hz
DisplayPort Port Count00
Downstream Thunderbolt Port Count30
USB-A Port Count42
Max USB Data Rate10Gbps10Gbps
Ethernet SpeedNone1GbE
Windows SupportedYesYes
BrandCalDigitMicrosoft
ModelElement HubSurface Dock 2
OS CompatibilityMac, Windows, iPadOS, ChromeOSWindows (Surface devices)
Price~$100~$220
Source URLhttps://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-4-element-hub/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/surface-dock-whats-new ; https://dancharblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/microsoft-surface-dock-2/

Verdict

CalDigit Element Hub

6 / 10 Expert Rating

A sensible budget entry point into Thunderbolt 4 port expansion, not a dock replacement.

Microsoft Surface Dock 2

7 / 10 Expert Rating

The right dock only if your fleet is already standardized on Surface hardware.

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