Thunderbolt docks may well be the belle of the ball to many, with their super-fast knowledge charges and fancy lightning bolt seal being noticed because the apex of port enlargement choices. However in truth, most folks most effective desire a fraction of the specifications those units ship — with the common consumer’s computing calls for lining up a lot more intently with what your same old USB-C dock has to provide.
The Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station, with its 12-in-1 port enlargement, unbelievable cable control, and very good charging functions is a lot more fitted to the desires of the common computer consumer. Higher nonetheless, this flexible docking station doubles as a display screen stand, table tidy, or even a wi-fi charging level in your smartphone.
This product is likely one of the highest docking stations round for those who’re browsing to take advantage of a smaller house, and an excellent accent for cable control and charging a number of units immediately. Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at why.
Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station worth and availability
The Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station is to be had for $199.99 from Amazon or simply $169.99 from the Anker web site (with a $30 off coupon to be had on the time of writing).
Docking stations and affordability don’t steadily move hand in hand into the sundown, and whilst this worth would possibly appear top in the beginning, I will be able to guarantee you that Anker’s dock is somewhat moderately priced for the class.
In a similar way priced USB-C docking stations just like the $199 Baseus UnionJoy Professional would possibly be offering extra ports and extra choices for supporting exterior presentations however lack the Anker 675’s constant port speeds, multifunctional design, and wi-fi charging possible.
Whether or not you need extra ports that run slower, or fewer ports that run sooner can rely totally for your setup. Then again, as a 12-in-1 {hardware} enlargement, Anker’s dock is under no circumstances a slouch with regards to offering ports and I’d for sure state that it has a lot more to provide than different USB-C docks on this worth bracket.
Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station design
For those who’ve noticed one Thunderbolt dock, you’ve most likely noticed all of them. Then again, with USB-C fashions, selection is the spice of existence. Logitech’s Logi Dock combines a conventional dock with a micro soundbar; Satechi’s Twin Dock Stand is a component dock, phase SSD enclosure, and phase ergonomic computer stand; and ErgoAV’s Movement Table Mount cleverly accommodates a number of ports into the bottom of its mighty twin arm display screen stand.
Anker’s providing follows swimsuit, with an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy shelf supported by way of two strong arduous plastic legs to cleverly conceal it as an 8.6 x 21.2 x 3.5-inch display screen stand. Inconspicuously taking its position for your table with an under-mount cable caddy in a position to stay your wires in take a look at.
For those who weren’t paying consideration, the truth that Anker’s instrument is a docking station may just go you by way of totally, with the one main visible clue being a refined string of ports and a round energy indicator decorating a chromed plate at the left leg of the stand. Then again, you could way more simply realize the smartphone-shaped wi-fi charging panel at the proper facet of the deck.
The black aluminum shelf pairs effectively with the silver legs, offering an out of this world, modern-looking base station have compatibility for many screens, despite the fact that it’s going to particularly gleam when housing the ones with a black or silver stand.
Some greater VESA display screen stands would possibly in finding the 8.6-inch intensity of this platform slightly shallow, however it is nonetheless moderately spacious. Whilst there’s no central supporting column, the aircraft-grade aluminum is cast as a rock beneath load, and confirmed 0 indication of pressure or bend right through my two-week use of it.
As for accommodating presentations, Anker’s dock is perfect for screens as much as 24 inches. Then again, because of a 22-pound weight restrict, this strong stand must without difficulty space presentations that move above and past this — even making for an ideal have compatibility for an all-in-one PC.
Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station ports and connectivity
The Anker 675 is a docking station suitable with any computer with an to be had USB Kind-C or Thunderbolt connection. For those who’re the use of a USB-C computer and need to hook this dock as much as an exterior display screen, then you definately’ll additionally want to make sure that the port helps DisplayPort alt mode to deal with a 2d show, on the other hand, Thunderbolt ports beef up video throughput by way of default.
Simply because you’ll be able to attach the Anker 675 to a Thunderbolt port, doesn’t imply you’ll be able to get entry to the port’s complete 40Gbps speeds. Whilst Thunderbolt is backward suitable with earlier variations and USB Kind-C equipment and peripherals, the Anker 675 isn’t a Thunderbolt instrument and is restricted to a 10Gbps connection to the host gadget.
That host port is situated in a recess at the underside of the dock, tucked away in a recess for more straightforward cable control. That recess comprises the next ports:
- (Host) USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-C port (as much as 100W PD, 10Gbps)
- (Energy) DC-IN (180W)
- 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Kind-A port (10Gbps, 4.5W)
- 1 x HDMI 2.0 port (as much as 4K at 60Hz)
- 1 x Ethernet port (RJ45, 1Gbps)
The Anker 675’s closing I/O are discovered around the left-hand leg and come with:
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-C ports (10Gbps, as much as 45W PD)
- 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Kind-A port (10Gbps, 4.5W)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W, BC 1.2)
- 1 x SD/microSD card reader (104MBps, UHS-I)
After all, the correct facet of the shelf includes a Qi-certified wi-fi charging panel that delivers 10W of price for Samsung Galaxy units, 7.5W of price for iPhone, and 5W for different smartphones or wi-fi earbuds.
Does the Anker 675 function sufficient ports to deal with your energy consumer? Now not actually, however as up to now discussed, this is a perfect number of ports for smaller setups and I used to be ready to seek out house for a wi-fi keyboard, wi-fi mouse, USB microphone, and a suite of laptop audio system — nonetheless leaving me a spare USB Kind-C port with a cast quantity of price output to stay my iPad or earbuds crowned up, and whilst charging my smartphone the use of the wi-fi charging pad too.
Anker’s dock won’t be capable of depend port quantity as one in every of its largest strengths, however it is a case of appreciating the scale of the battle within the canine and now not the scale of the canine within the battle. There’s nonetheless a good degree of port selection and a number of price unfold amongst them.
Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station efficiency
There’s little to whinge about with Anker’s dock over efficiency and utilization. For setup, I put it on my table, attached the ability, connected the host cable to my computer, positioned my display screen at the shelf, and attached the HDMI cable and I used to be in an instant up and operating. The 4K symbol dropped at my display screen was once simply as crisp as ever, as easy and responsive as though attached at once to my computer, and and not using a trace of lag or artifacts. It simply labored, proper out of the gate.
That additional bump in top is excellent for neck convenience, with a three.5-inch raise making way more of a distinction than I thought it will. Then again, it raised my display screen towards my herbal eye degree and advanced my general posture. That results in much less discomfort whilst shackled on your table all the way through longer paintings days, and a most often extra delightful surroundings for your bones.
My display screen’s VESA stand was once slightly bit at the greater facet, and the overhang it brought about didn’t glance all that groovy in photographs. However I’ve just lately begun to make use of a desk-mounted display screen arm, anyway. So I may just space my most-used equipment on most sensible of the dock as an alternative, with my display screen majestically floating above find it irresistible was once a part of some kind of David Copperfield phantasm.
Unfastened from my display screen, the Anker 675’s shelf made for a super position to retailer my wi-fi keyboard, or equipment like a Circulation Deck relying on my present setup. Moreover, the hollow space underneath the shelf was once an ideal house to stash my computer or sport controllers, and I may just additionally sneak a GaN charger beneath there once I wanted to make use of a 2d computer for paintings.
The 100W of Energy Supply presented by way of Anker’s dock was once superb for my productiveness laptops (which usually require 45W or 90W chargers), retaining them crowned up right through the day with none trouble. In a similar way operating with out factor have been the dock’s a lot of ports, all in a position to in my view handing over at the anticipated speeds in comparison to their marketed rankings. Then again, whilst those ports are masses instant, they bottleneck thru a unmarried USB Kind-C port is capped at 10Gbps.
A fuller setup that calls for a large number of knowledge visitors may just undergo with regards to this bottleneck, particularly whilst additionally managing an exterior show. Then again, for those who’re much more likely to make use of the ones legacy ports for peripherals, then this would possibly not be a topic you run into steadily.
Base line
The Anker 675 isn’t simply an ideal docking station, it’s additionally a in fact helpful display screen stand and table tidy — to not point out a cast all-around charging answer. It’s superb for making probably the most use of smaller areas, nevertheless it additionally gained’t glance misplaced taking middle degree on a bigger table.
It’s, on the other hand, a single-monitor answer, so for those who’re aware of the use of an array of presentations, then a extra typical providing just like the dual-screen supporting UGreen 9-in-1 USB-C Docking Station or the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 Quad Show Docking Station for max display screen enlargement may well be a greater have compatibility.
For those who like a decent setup, want extra ports, and are in search of a cast charging answer, multipurpose USB Kind-C docking stations have a lot to provide. However few do it in addition to the Anker 675. It’s out-standing.
Allow 48h for review and removal.