Anker's Detachable 13-in-1 Dock Promises Triple-Display Desks, With a macOS Caveat

Anker has discounted its Nano 13-in-1 docking station, and the deal is getting attention less for the price than for how the hardware is put together. According to TechRadar, the dock is now $119.99 at Amazon, down from $149.99, while UK buyers pay £100 instead of £130.

What the dock does

The unit combines 13 ports with display outputs, wired networking and power delivery. Anker's setup pairs two HDMI ports with a DisplayPort connection, which TechRadar notes covers most common monitor arrangements without extra adapters. A single screen can run at up to 4K at 60Hz, or two at 2K at 60Hz.

Charging is rated at 100W over the same cable that carries display and peripheral data, enough for many laptops to leave their own charger in a bag. Ethernet is included, which matters for anyone whose home office depends on a more stable connection than Wi-Fi provides.

The detachable hub is the real hook

Most docking stations are either on your desk or in your bag. Anker's design splits the difference: the smaller 6-in-1 hub separates from the main body, so the bulky portion stays behind while a lighter piece travels. TechRadar's reviewer called this the standout feature, describing it as a useful design choice rather than a gimmick.

That framing is fair on its face. A dock that never leaves the desk is a poor fit for hybrid schedules, and one that travels permanently means replugging everything at home. A two-part design addresses both, at least in principle.

Where it falls short

Two caveats are worth flagging before buying.

First, macOS. TechRadar states that Apple's platform does not support Multi-Stream Transport over USB-C, so external monitors attached through this single-cable dock will mirror the laptop screen instead of extending it. Windows machines do not have this problem. For Mac users, much of the triple-display pitch does not apply.

Second, charging headroom. User reviews cited by TechRadar report that charging slows when the dock is simultaneously driving multiple displays and peripherals. Owners of power-hungry laptops should not assume they will always see the full 100W under load.

On the price

The $30 reduction works out to roughly 20 percent off. TechRadar notes that third-party price tracking shows the dock has previously fallen to $104.49, so this is a solid discount rather than a record low.

Who this suits

If your goal is running two or three monitors from one laptop cable, adding wired Ethernet, and having a smaller hub available when you work elsewhere, this fits the brief. If your laptop cannot drive that many displays, if you need more than 100W, or if a basic USB-C hub would do, the extra ports and the detachable design are money you do not need to spend.

The practical question is not whether 13 ports sound impressive. It is whether your machine can use them.