CalDigit has officially revealed its inaugural Thunderbolt 5 device, the nine-port Element 5 Hub. Following the original eight-port Element hub, this $249 model boasts four Thunderbolt 5 ports capable of supporting 80Gb/s, along with a plethora of additional features worth exploring. Let’s delve deeper.
Ports and Charging
- The Element 5 hub expands to nine ports total, compared to the previous version’s eight ports.
- 4 x TB5 (80Gb/s) ports
- 2 x USB-C (10Gb/s) ports
- 3 x USB-A (10Gb/s) ports
- Host power delivery of 90W
Display Capabilities
- The maximum resolution for compatible Macs with 8K is 8K at 60Hz.
- On macOS, the max resolution for dual displays is 6K at 60Hz. The M4 Max can support Dual 8K at 60Hz.
- The highest refresh rate available on macOS for dual displays is Dual 4K at 240Hz.
The Element 5 Hub embraces the new Bandwidth Boost feature of Thunderbolt 5, providing up to 120Gb/s for displays when needed, particularly useful when connecting several high-refresh-rate monitors.
Additionally, on compatible Windows laptops equipped with Thunderbolt 5, the Element 5 can support up to three 4K displays at 60Hz through a single port. However, it is essential to note that current Mac systems, including the latest M4 models, do not permit triple displays through a single Thunderbolt 5 connection, which is a limitation of macOS and not the hub itself.
Additional Details
CalDigit emphasizes that host charging reliably provides up to 90W power, regardless of the number of connected devices. Accompanying the Element 5 is a new 180W power supply that is 42% smaller than the previous version while also delivering an extra 30W of power.
The Element 5 Hub is equipped with 64Gb/s PCIe, doubling the previous model’s bandwidth to support faster storage solutions.
DMN’s Perspective
The Thunderbolt 5 ecosystem is gradually maturing, and the Element 5 appears to be a robust option for those in need of additional connectivity. While ideally suited for the latest M4 Pro and M4 Max Macs equipped with Thunderbolt 5 ports, it also remains compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C Macs and iPads.
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