CalDigit has officially unveiled its inaugural Thunderbolt 5 device, the nine-port Element 5 Hub, which is appropriately named. Priced at $249, this successor to the original eight-port Element hub comes equipped with four Thunderbolt 5 ports supporting speeds of up to 80Gb/s, among various other features. Let’s delve deeper.
Ports and Power Delivery
- The Element 5 hub boasts a total of nine ports, an upgrade from its predecessor’s eight.
- 4 x Thunderbolt 5 (80Gb/s) ports
- 2 x USB-C (10Gb/s) ports
- 3 x USB-A (10Gb/s) ports
- Provides host power delivery of 90W
Display Capabilities
- Mass resolution for compatible Macs can reach 8K at 60Hz
- macOS supports a maximum resolution of 6K at 60Hz for dual displays, with M4 Max supporting Dual 8K at 60Hz
- The highest refresh rate achievable with macOS for dual displays is Dual 4K at 240Hz
The Element 5 Hub incorporates the innovative Bandwidth Boost feature of Thunderbolt 5, which can allocate up to 120Gb/s to connected displays when required, particularly beneficial when utilizing multiple high refresh rate displays.
For compatible Windows devices featuring Thunderbolt 5, the Element 5 can support up to three 4K displays at 60Hz through a single port. However, it’s crucial to note that Macs, including the latest M4 models, are currently not compatible with three displays through a single Thunderbolt 5 port, due to macOS’s inherent limitations, meaning no hub or dock can presently support this feature on macOS.
Additional Insights
CalDigit emphasizes that host charging consistently outputs 90W and remains stable regardless of connected devices. The Element 5 comes with a new 180W power supply, which is 42% smaller than the previous model, yet provides an extra 30W of power.
This hub features 64Gb/s PCIe throughput, effectively doubling the bandwidth of its predecessor, to support rapid external storage devices.
Final Thoughts from DMN
The landscape of Thunderbolt 5 is gradually evolving, and the Element 5 positions itself as a robust hub for users seeking connectivity options. While this hub is optimal for the latest M4 Pro and M4 Max Macs with Thunderbolt 5 ports, it remains compatible with USB-C, TB4, and TB3 Macs and iPads as well.
What’s your opinion? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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