Anker 563 Dock vs CalDigit TS4 Comparison

Anker 563 Dock

Ports include two HDMI, one DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5 mm audio jack, a USB-C port with 30 W charging, one 5 Gbps USB-A and two USB-A 2.0. Wired Ethernet improves video call stability compared with Wi-Fi in busy offices. The audio jack is handy for a wired headset without adding a separate adapter.

CalDigit TS4

There are 18 ports in total, including three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A and USB-C data ports at 10 Gbps, 2.5 Gb Ethernet, DisplayPort 1.4, UHS-II SD and microSD readers, and separate audio in and out. The 2.5 Gb Ethernet port is worth noting for video calls. A wired network link keeps Teams and Zoom stable when office or home Wi-Fi is busy.

Anker 563 Dock

The dock is a flat, horizontal unit measuring 170.1 x 80.1 x 24.5 mm, with ports on the front and back. It runs from its own mains power rather than drawing power from the laptop. The casing feels solid and stays put on a desk, with frequently used ports at the front.

CalDigit TS4

The aluminium chassis stands upright or lies flat, and the finned design acts as a passive heatsink. There is no fan, so it runs silently on a desk. Ports are split sensibly between front and back, with SD and microSD readers, audio jacks and a couple of USB ports at the front for things you plug in daily.

Anker 563 Dock

The Anker 563 Dock is a USB-C docking station. Official features include DisplayLink triple display, 100 W laptop charging. It is listed for Windows, macOS, ChromeOS. The official connection is USB-C. Port layout is listed as 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x USB-C (30 W), 1 x USB-A 5 Gbps, 2 x USB-A 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5 mm audio.

CalDigit TS4

The TS4 is a Docks & Hubs. Official features include 98 W charging, 2.5 Gb Ethernet, up to two 4K displays (host dependent). It is listed for macOS, Windows. The official connection is Thunderbolt 4. Port layout is listed as 18 ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 downstream, USB-C and USB-A 10 Gbps, 2.5 GbE, DisplayPort 1.4, SD and microSD UHS-II, audio in, audio out, combo audio.

Anker 563 Dock

The dock works with USB-C laptops including Windows, macOS and ChromeOS devices. Anker markets it for triple displays on M1 MacBooks, which normally drive one external screen. Display modes vary. One monitor gets 4K at 30 Hz on HDMI 1, 2K at 50 Hz on HDMI 2, or 2K at 60 Hz on DisplayPort.

CalDigit TS4

The dock works with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 hosts on macOS and Windows, and in a reduced mode with plain USB-C laptops. It is certified for Thunderbolt 4. Display support depends on the host. Apple silicon base chips may run only one external display, while Windows Thunderbolt laptops can drive two 4K screens through the dock.

Anker 563 Dock

A single USB-C cable connects the laptop, providing power, data and video. Triple displays on macOS require the DisplayLink Manager app. Windows laptops work with native display output on the first HDMI port and DisplayLink for others. On a Mac, install DisplayLink before connecting the extra monitors, and allow screen recording permission when asked.

CalDigit TS4

Plug the TS4 into a Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 laptop and your displays, webcam, mic and network come up together. Macs need no drivers, and Windows only needs updates for some features. For a hybrid worker that one-cable connection is the real benefit. Arrive at the desk, plug in, and your USB microphone and webcam are ready before the meeting starts.