There are currently only a few Thunderbolt 5 docking stations available on the market. Anker has now entered the space with its first model, the Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station. It is designed to convert a compatible PC into a fully equipped desktop workstation via a single cable, supporting multiple displays and fast charging.
Thunderbolt 5 connectivity has gradually been introduced across desktops, laptops and tablets over the past year, including the M4 MacBook Pro. The standard offers bidirectional bandwidth of up to 80 Gbps, one-way speeds of up to 120 Gbps, fast charging up to 240W, video output at up to 8K resolution or 480 Hz, and the ability to daisy-chain up to five devices. It uses the same Type-C port as Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 and USB4, allowing users to connect high-speed storage, high-resolution monitors, and other peripherals through a single cable.
At present, only a limited number of PCs support Thunderbolt 5, and all are backwards-compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 devices, which remain more widely available and affordable. As a result, the market for Thunderbolt 5 accessories is still relatively small. Nonetheless, Anker’s Prime TB5 Docking Station presents a compelling new option.
Features and Connectivity
The Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station is intended to expand a laptop into a desktop workstation using one cable. It includes two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, two 10Gbps USB Type-C ports, three 10Gbps USB Type-A ports, SD and TF card readers, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, a 3.5mm audio jack, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 2.1. The downstream Thunderbolt ports can be used to connect additional Thunderbolt devices or function as standard USB Type-C ports.
Anker states that the dock supports one HDMI or DisplayPort output along with two Thunderbolt 5 video outputs. It can handle a single 8K display at 60Hz or dual 8K displays at 60Hz on Windows systems. The exact configuration of displays and resolutions depends on the connected device’s hardware and software capabilities. For example, base model M1, M2 and M3 Macs are limited to one external display.
Charging Capabilities
Anker is well known for its charging products, and this dock continues that focus. The two front-facing USB Type-C ports provide a combined output of 45W, while the upstream port can deliver up to 140W to a connected laptop. According to Anker, this is sufficient to charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro to 50% in 26 minutes and to full capacity in approximately 90 minutes. Some high-performance laptops, particularly gaming models, may require more than 140W, in which case a separate power connection can be used.
Anker Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station Price & Availability
The Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station is available now for £399.99 on Amazon.co.uk and via Anker’s official online store. A 1 metre)Thunderbolt 5 cable is included for connecting the dock to a computer.
