Anker, a prominent player in computer accessories, has introduced a hybrid device that merges the functions of a docking station and a hub.
The product, named the Anker Nano Docking Station (13-in-1), is available for purchase on Anker's site at a price of $149.99. Its mechanism recalls elements of classic 1980s toys, such as the Transformers character Soundwave, a cassette player that concealed smaller figures like Laserbeak inside its compartment.
Fundamentally, this Anker device functions as a docking station featuring a removable hub, addressing the challenge of transporting a stationary dock when using a laptop away from the desk. Specifically, the 13-in-1 unit releases a 6-in-1 hub that attaches straight to the laptop.
While this concept is clever, it comes with limitations. The entire system operates as a USB-C docking station, essentially an expanded USB-C hub. Connections through its standard USB-C interface rely on a 10Gbps data rate, which can cause problems when handling several monitors and network links simultaneously.
Devices like Anker's USB-C dock mitigate these issues using Display Stream Compression, a built-in compression technology available on recent laptops and compatible with two types of DisplayPort outputs. The features vary by device: Docks with DisplayPort 1.4 support can handle three 1440p displays, whereas those limited to DisplayPort 1.2 manage three screens at 1600x900 resolution or two at 1080p, as explained in Anker's instructional video. Laptops from Intel shifted to DisplayPort 1.4 support around the 11th-generation Core series.
Although USB-C docking stations perform adequately, speeds beyond 10Gbps often lead to performance glitches like lag. For expansive multi-port setups, Thunderbolt options with 40Gbps bandwidth are generally favored.
Another downside involves the hub's attachment: It connects to the main dock through a stationary USB-C connector without a cable. This setup works well on the dock but requires the hub to rest directly against the laptop. Given how manufacturers pack laptop ports closely, the hub could obstruct adjacent connections. Anker advises checking compatibility in advance to avoid this issue.
That said, the dock offers a generous array of ports, and the hub mirrors this with its own selection. The main unit delivers 100W of charging power to the laptop using a 140W power adapter, though the hub demands its own USB-C power source for passthrough charging.
According to reports from The Verge, the device is compatible with both Apple and Windows machines, though output options differ based on the specific Mac model in use.
Mark, a veteran technology journalist, has contributed to PCWorld for the past ten years and boasts three decades in the field. He has produced more than 3,500 pieces for PCWorld on subjects like PC processors, accessories, and Windows systems. His work has appeared in outlets such as PC Magazine, Byte, eWEEK, Popular Science, and Electronic Buyers' News, earning a Jesse H. Neal Award for news coverage. Recently, he cleared out a stockpile of Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs due to space constraints in his workspace.