The Anker 13-port dock has always been a space-saving marvel—packing HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort, four USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, Ethernet, audio, and power delivery into a box no bigger than a paperback. Now, it’s also at its lowest price ever, but the question isn’t just whether to buy; it’s whether this is the right time.
Priced at $129 down from $174, the dock delivers full HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 support, meaning 4K at 60 Hz over HDMI or 5K at 30 Hz over DisplayPort. The four USB-C ports handle data and power delivery up to 90 W, while two USB-A ports remain for legacy devices. Ethernet is included—rare in this category—and the dock itself stays cool even when driving multiple high-bandwidth displays.
Is This a Good Deal?
The price drop is real, but the real savings come from comparing it to Anker’s own 16-port dock, which still sells for $199. That model adds two more USB-C ports and supports dual 4K displays at 60 Hz over HDMI, but loses Ethernet. The 13-port version keeps that wired network connection, which is a notable advantage in environments where Wi-Fi or Thunderbolt can be unreliable.
What’s Missing?
- No Thunderbolt: The dock relies on USB-C for data and power, but it doesn’t support Thunderbolt 3/4. That means it won’t work with the latest MacBooks or high-performance Windows laptops that expect Thunderbolt bandwidth.
- Limited Display Support: While it handles two 4K displays at 60 Hz over HDMI, it can only drive one display at native resolution via DisplayPort. For most users, this is fine, but creative professionals or power users with multiple high-resolution screens might find the limitations frustrating.
- No Future-Proofing: The lack of Thunderbolt means this dock won’t keep up with future laptops that require faster data protocols. If you’re buying for a laptop that already supports Thunderbolt, you’ll be stuck with an older standard in just a few years.
The dock’s compact size and bundled accessories—including a 3.5 mm audio adapter, a USB-C to USB-A adapter, and a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter—add value, but they don’t change the core limitation: it’s not built for next-gen connectivity.
Who Should Buy?
The best candidates are users with older laptops that lack Thunderbolt or USB4 support. If you’re working in a home office where Ethernet stability matters more than raw speed, this dock is a strong choice. It also makes sense if you need to drive multiple displays but don’t require the absolute highest resolution or bandwidth.
On the other hand, if you’ve invested in a newer laptop with Thunderbolt 3/4, this dock won’t cut it. You’ll either need Anker’s more expensive 16-port model (which still lacks Thunderbolt) or a completely different solution that supports the faster protocol.
Long-Term Value
The price drop is welcome, but the bigger question is whether this dock will stay relevant as laptops and displays evolve. Without Thunderbolt support, it’s already behind the curve for high-performance users. For everyone else, it’s a solid mid-range option that delivers where it counts—multiple displays, stable Ethernet, and compact design—but it’s not a long-term upgrade path.
Right now, the $129 price is hard to ignore, but smart buyers will ask: Is this a one-time discount or the start of a longer trend? And more importantly, is my current setup compatible enough that I won’t be left behind in two years?
