Anker Nano 13-in-1 Laptop Docking Station (A83C3) review

This is a compact dock with a twist: the hub section detaches. The removable hub adds a USB-C PD-in, a 5Gbps USB-C port, a USB-A port and one HDMI output. Owners single out the detachable hub as useful for travel, and they also like the small footprint on a desk.

It connects through one USB-C upstream port rated at 10Gbps. The laptop needs DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery, and Anker lists Windows 10/11 and macOS 13.5 or later as supported. This is not a Thunderbolt dock.

The dock offers two HDMI outputs and one DisplayPort output, each rated for 4K@60Hz, for up to three external displays. Running two 4K screens at 60Hz requires DSC, so check that your laptop supports it before you plan a dual-4K setup. Anker says the removable hub adds another HDMI output.

Video goes out natively through HDMI and DisplayPort. There is no DisplayLink and no Thunderbolt. The laptop therefore needs DP Alt Mode for the dock to work with it.

Mac owners need to read this section twice. External displays on macOS mirror rather than extend, and owners flag this as a recurring complaint. If you want separate desktops on several screens from a Mac, this dock does not deliver that. On Windows, the three-output layout is the main draw.

The dock has its own supply, with a 140W DC-IN adapter included, and passes up to 100W to the laptop. That covers laptops that charge at 100W or less.

Owners report slow charging, so check your laptop's charging needs against that feedback. The dock also needs a laptop connection to power its ports and the blue light strip, so it is not a standalone charging hub. Anker supplies a USB 3.2 Gen 2 cable and recommends using it.

Beyond the display outputs, the dock has a 100W USB-C PD port, the USB-C upstream port, a 10Gbps USB-C port, two USB-A ports, an SD slot, a TF/microSD slot and a 3.5mm audio in/out jack. The 10Gbps USB-C port suits fast external drives. The two USB-A ports run at 480Mbps, so they suit keyboards, mice and receivers better than storage.

The upstream connection to the laptop is a single USB-C port rated at 10Gbps. Buyers with several fast peripherals should keep that rating in mind alongside the 480Mbps USB-A ports.

Anker also warns that the hub may block adjacent ports on some laptops. Check the layout of your laptop's side ports before buying.

There is a single Gigabit Ethernet port on the dock. Buyers who want a faster wired connection should note that Gigabit is the only Ethernet option listed.

Anker's US page states the dock is not compatible with Linux devices. That rules it out for Linux laptops on the manufacturer's word. Anker's own support site also carries an article on monitor flicker when casting from this dock, so display flicker is a known issue to read up on before you commit.

Owners also describe the dock as expensive. Separately, owners flag that macOS mirrors rather than extends, which matters because Mac buyers cannot use the three outputs as extended desktops.

The Anker Nano 13-in-1 works best on a Windows laptop with DP Alt Mode and 100W charging. The detachable hub and small footprint suit people who move between desk and travel. The mirroring-only behaviour on macOS, the Linux warning, the Gigabit port and the 480Mbps USB-A ports narrow its appeal. Check your laptop's specifications first, and treat it as a Windows-first dock.