Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station - Everything You Need to Know
BIKMAN TECHAre you tired of juggling a tangled mess of dongles and adapters just to connect your laptop to your monitors and peripherals? A cluttered desk can lead to a cluttered mind. If you're looking for a single, elegant solution to expand your laptop's connectivity and create a streamlined workspace, you've come to the right place. At BIKMAN TECH, we've taken a deep dive into the Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station (also known as the 10-in-1 model A8395). This comprehensive guide will cover its design, features, performance, and everything else you need to know to decide if it's the perfect command center for your desk.
1. Sleek Design and Build Quality
First impressions matter, and the Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station doesn't disappoint. Instead of a flat, wide design that eats up desk space, Anker opted for a sleek, vertical tower. This compact footprint, measuring just 16.5 x 8 x 4.5 cm (6.5 x 3.1 x 1.8 in), allows it to sit unobtrusively next to your monitor or laptop. The build quality feels solid and premium, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints. The ports are intelligently split between the front and back, giving you easy access to frequently used connections like USB and audio, while keeping power and display cables neatly tucked away. ✨
2. Ultimate Connectivity: A 10-in-1 Powerhouse
The main event for any docking station is its port selection, and the Anker 563 is a true multitasking champion. It transforms a single USB-C port on your laptop into a versatile array of 10 ports, covering power, display, data, and audio.
Power and Charging
This dock is built around powerful charging capabilities. It supports a 100W Power Delivery input via its included power adapter. From that, it delivers up to 85W of pass-through power to your connected laptop—more than enough for demanding machines like a MacBook Pro. But it doesn't stop there. A standout feature is the front-facing 30W USB-C Power Delivery port, perfect for fast-charging your smartphone, tablet, or other accessories simultaneously.
Data and Peripherals
For data transfer and connecting your essential peripherals, you get a solid mix of options:
- 2x USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 Ports: Offering speeds up to 5 Gbps, these are ideal for external hard drives, SSDs, or flash drives.
- 1x USB-A 2.0 Port: With speeds of 480 Mbps, this rear-facing port is perfect for stable connections to your wireless mouse, keyboard, or printer dongle, freeing up the high-speed ports for data.
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet Port: For those who need a rock-solid internet connection for video conferencing or large file transfers, the RJ45 Ethernet port provides reliable wired speeds up to 1 Gbps.
Display Output
Creating a multi-monitor setup is a breeze. The Anker 563 features both an HDMI 2.0 port and a DisplayPort 1.4 port. This dual-display setup allows you to extend your desktop and boost your productivity. We'll dive deeper into the specific resolutions and refresh rates in the performance section.
3. Performance in the Real World
Specs on paper are one thing, but how does it perform day-to-day? We found the Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station to be a reliable and powerful hub. The single-cable connection to our laptop worked flawlessly, immediately providing power and connecting to all peripherals. The 85W charging kept our test laptops topped up even under heavy load.
The dual monitor support is a key selling point. For most modern laptops supporting DisplayPort 1.4, you can drive two 4K monitors at a smooth 60Hz refresh rate. For older laptops with DisplayPort 1.2, the output is limited to dual 4K at 30Hz. It's crucial to note a significant limitation for some Apple users: MacBooks with a standard M1 or M2 chip can only support a single external display through the dock due to the chip's architecture. However, MacBook Pro/Max models with M1/M2 Pro or Max chips do not have this limitation. The Gigabit Ethernet port provided a stable, full-speed connection, which is a noticeable improvement over Wi-Fi in a busy network environment.
4. Technical Specifications
For a clear overview, here are the key technical details for the Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station (A8395) in one place.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Total Ports | 10 |
| Laptop Connection | 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (Upstream, 5 Gbps, 85W PD Out) |
| Front Ports | 1x USB-C PD (30W, 5 Gbps), 1x 3.5 mm AUX |
| Rear Ports | 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), 1x USB-A 2.0 (480 Mbps), 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x DC-In (100W) |
| Max Display Resolution | Dual 4K@60Hz (with DP 1.4 host), Dual 4K@30Hz (with DP 1.2 host) |
| Power Adapter | 100W (included) |
| Dimensions | 16.5 x 8 x 4.5 cm (6.5 x 3.1 x 1.8 in) |
5. Compatibility and Ease of Use
The Anker 563 is designed to be a plug-and-play device, requiring no special drivers for most modern operating systems like Windows 10/11 and macOS. It's broadly compatible with laptops that have a USB-C port supporting Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alt Mode, which includes most modern MacBooks, Dell XPS, HP Spectre, and Lenovo ThinkPad models, as well as Thunderbolt 3/4 equipped devices. As mentioned, the key compatibility check is ensuring your laptop supports the number of external displays you wish to use, especially for M1/M2 MacBook users. ✅
6. What's in the Box?
When you unbox the Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station, you'll find everything you need to get started right away. Inside, you'll get:
- The Anker 563 Docking Station itself
- A 100W power adapter
- A 1 m (3.2 ft) USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 cable
- A welcome guide
Is the Anker 563 Docking Station Right for You?
The Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station is a powerful and thoughtfully designed solution for anyone looking to declutter their desk and create an efficient, multi-monitor workstation. Its key strengths lie in its robust 10-port selection, powerful 85W laptop charging, a dedicated 30W fast-charging port for your phone, and support for dual 4K displays. It's an ideal choice for professionals, content creators, and remote workers using modern Windows laptops or higher-end MacBook Pros.
If you want to simplify your setup with a single-cable solution that handles everything from charging to 4K video, this dock is a compelling option. Ready to transform your workspace? Click to find the best deals on this powerful docking station today!
We hope this in-depth look from BIKMAN TECH has been helpful. Do you have any questions about the Anker 563, or do you already own one? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to share this post!
