Two new Thunderbolt 3 docks from Anker provide power, legacy ports, and video connectivity with one cable to your MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro.
A Thunderbolt 3 dock can help in any number of situations, from connecting legacy USB-A devices to your MacBook Pro to connecting multiple monitors for improved working spaces. Anker's PowerExpand docks come in two different sizes, a 7-in-1 docking station and a 13-in-1 docking station, both designed to expand the capabilities of your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.
PowerExpand 7-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock
The smaller of the two, the PowerExpand Mini Dock, offers seven different ports to broaden the potential of your Thunderbolt 3 laptop - such as the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro.
The included HDMI port allows you to connect to an external monitor in resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz. Perfect for those who prefer working in clamshell mode, or those who like to use an additional monitor while working.
The PowerExpand Mini offers 45W of charging, more than enough for a MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro. It will charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro, but at a much slower rate. Additionally, if you are doing anything process-intensive, the dock will not charge your laptop until resources are freed up.
The PowerExpand Mini is compatible with the MacBook Air produced in 2018 and onward, and the MacBook Pro produced in 2016 and forward. However, if you own a 16-inch, i9 MacBook Pro, we do not suggest using this -- or any other low-powered dock -- to supply power to your computer.
Input/Output on Anker PowerExpand Mini
- USB-C Port (10 Gbps, 5V/0.9A)
- USB-A Port (10 Gbps, 5V/1.1A)
- SD and microSD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II
- Thunderbolt 3 Upstream Port (40 Gbps, 45W)
- HDMI 2.0 Port
- Gigabit Ethernet Port
The PowerElite 7-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock retails for $199.99.
PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
The PowerExpand Elite offers 13 different ports, including SD card slots, audio input/output, USB-C ports, USB-A ports, and more.
This dock also offers 85W of charging power to keep your MacBook Pro topped up, as well as two 15W Thunderbolt 3 ports and an 18W USB-C Power Deliver (PD) port, perfect for keeping your iPhone charged. Except under periods of extreme load, the 85W that the PowerExpand Elite provides will keep a 16-inch MacBook Pro battery at full power
For those who use multi-display setups, The Thunderbolt 3 port supports 5K at 60Hz, while the HDMI port supports a resolution of 4K at 60Hz. Users can connect displays to both ports simultaneously. If you connect a USB-C to dual HDMI splitter, you'll be able to connect three displays at 4K at once.
Input/Output on Anker PowerExpand Elite
- SD Card Slot (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
- microSD Card Slot (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
- Audio In & Out
- USB-A Port (5 Gbps, 5V/1.5A)
- USB-C Port (10 Gbps, 5V/0.9A)
- USB-C Port (10 Gbps, 5V/3A or 9V/2A)
- Thunderbolt 3 Downstream Port (40 Gbps, 15W)
- Thunderbolt 3 Upstream Port (40 Gbps, 85W)
- USB-A Port (5 Gbps, 5V/0.9A)
- HDMI 2.0 Port
- Gigabit Ethernet
- DC-IN (20V/9A)
The PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 3 Dock is compatible with the MacBook Air from 2018 and onward and the MacBook Pro from 2016 and onward, and can be purchased from Amazon for $299.99.