- Anker’s Station’s Thunderbolt 5 Ultra-Purpose
- Includes HDMI 2.1 and Displayport 2.1, but only one video port works natively at the same time
- Two additional Thunderbolt ports allow you to connect 8K monitors
Anker has introduced a new laptop coupling station that uses a primary Thunderbolt 5 connection to the host machine, along with two additional lightning ports for peripherals such as 8K monitors.
Thunderbolt 5 offers compatibility with previous standards of Thunderbolt and USB and admits a bandwidth of up to 120 Gbps in optimal conditions, so a single cable handles data, food and video, which helps reduce the desk cable disorder.
Minimachines reports that the dock is aimed at users who need extensive I/O flexibility, which supports the configurations of multiple high resolution monitors and a wide range of peripherals.
Multiple connectivity options
The spring includes a range of connectivity options: 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, three USB 3.2 type A ports, two USB 3.2 type C ports, a 3.5 mm combined audio connector and SDXC card readers.
It also has HDMI 2.1 and Displayport 2.1 outputs, although only one can be used at the same time for native video output unless additional monitors are connected through Thunderbolt or USB protocols.
The external power supply is classified in 180 watts, with up to 140 watts delivered to a connected laptop, ideal for feeding devices while handling demanding work loads, everything without a separate charger.
A subtle LED ring on the upper edge provides state feedback. The dock is housed in an sand aluminum chassis, although passive cooling is not enough, so a compact internal fan is included.
While fan based on the fan is common on mini PCs, prolonged use could lead to problems such as fan misalignment or noise increase.
The dock does not seem use to the user, which could be an inconvenience for users related to long -term maintenance or durability.
With a price of € 419 (about $ 474), it is not the most friendly option with the budget, but it can attract users looking for a premium coupling solution all in one for high -end screens and peripherals focused on performance.
