For professionals and avid gamers, this docking station is designed to provide a seamless and high-performing workspace experience.
Unleash your ultimate work or play experience with the Anker Prime TB5, a powerhouse docking station. Boasting Thunderbolt 5 and a whopping 14 connection options, this bad boy offers peak performance and eliminates the need for extra charging gadgets for your pro laptop or gaming rig.
But does it truly stand the test of time? Let's find out!
Power on Demand
This petite powerhouse measures 1.6 x 11.6 x 7.5 cm, weighs just under 1.1 kg, and houses a built-in power supply unit. That's right, no additional, bulky chargers needed! This ultra-compact design packs a punch as it powers even power-gobbling notebooks, up to 140W, ensuring they stay tucked away in your desk drawer.
Sleek and Stylish
With a high-quality design reminiscent of mini-PCs, the Anker Prime TB5 is constructed using a combination of aluminum and plastic. It stands firm on four rubber feet and releases heat through large vents on the back, while drawing in fresh air from finer ribs on the underside.
The Show Must Go On
The topcover comes equipped with a showy LED strip that lights up when in operation. While visually pleasing, it may be a distraction - but you can easily turn off this feature with a quick press of the power button. When connecting a compatible Thunderbolt 4 or 5 device, the LED strip lights up twice, adding a nice touch.
Front panel features include two USB-C ports delivering 10Gbps data transfer speeds and the ability to power devices with up to 45W, as well as a USB-A input for 10Gbps data transfers, but without power delivery.
Connect Anything and Everything
On the left side, SD and microSD card readers allow for data transfer rates of up to 312 MB/s. Connecting a 32GB camera memory card takes a mere two minutes in optimal conditions.
Moving to the back, you’ll find two more USB-A ports with 10Gbps data transfer speeds, the upstream USB-C Thunderbolt 5 connection, charging power up to 140W, and bidirectional data transfer rates of up to 80 Gbps (when using Thunderbolt 5). With Thunderbolt 4, only 40 Gbps becomes available along with reduced data transfer capabilities.
By utilizing Bandwidth Boost, speeds can surge to 120 Gbps in one direction, while maintaining up to 40 Gbps in the other. Automatic adjustments keep your setup running smoothly.
Monitor Marvels
If you own a Windows computer, you can power an 8K monitor with refresh rates of 60 Hz or a 4K display with 240 Hz. Two screens can share the same love, with the same combinations offered for each. MacBook users can enjoy up to 6K/60 Hz and 4K/240 Hz with a single external monitor, while double-screening provides up to 6K/60 Hz and 4K/144 Hz.
But wait, there’s more! Where two monitors meet their match, a Thunderbolt-enabled monitor can make its way onto the scene. This results in an abundance of possibilities for connecting various screens.
Thunderbolt 3? Nah, We're Talking TB5
While you'll be thumbing your nose at Thunderbolt 3 with this bad boy, it has limitations if used on Thunderbolt 4 systems. Data transfers top out at 40 Gbps, and there’s no Bandwidth Boost. Macs also face resolutions limits, only reaching max refresh rates at 2K.
Cables Count
Incompatible cables can leave your displays black, so opt for certified Thunderbolt 5 cables that clearly display their maximum speeds, such as 80 Gbps (Gbps) and 240 W, as recommended by the Universal Serial Bus Implementer Forum (USB-IF). During testing, Anker Prime TB5 showed great performance with compatible cables, providing full charging power to the MacBook Air M4 and maximum speeds to the Seagate Ultra Compact SSD.
In terms of its cooling performance, the system proved to be a quiet whisper during the noise test.
The Future's So Bright, We Gotta Wear Shades
While few modern households boast Thunderbolt 5 ports, the market is gearing up for a monumental rise in the coming year. After all, Thunderbolt 6 isn’t on the immediate horizon.
So, curious about the latest tech? Go for the gold and snatch up the Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station. Already own a Thunderbolt 5 machine? This beast is tailor-made for you, offering a top-tier, high-quality companion for pros and gamers alike, provided you don't mind shelling out a few extra bucks.
For everyone else, hang tight – as the price of this powerhouse is bound to drop once the market floods with Thunderbolt 5-equipped notebooks.
The Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station, with a compact design and 14 connection options, supports power-gobbling notebooks, making it an ideal choice for a home office setup. This same docking station, capable of 140W power output, stands as a versatile gadget that supports various technical tests, such as data transfer speeds and monitor connections.
