Anker 563 Dock vs OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock Comparison
Compare Anker 563 Dock vs OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock side by side: specs, ratings, pros and cons, and which one fits your room best.
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At a Glance
Want three monitors from a MacBook Air with a base M1 or M2 chip? The Anker 563 is a 10-in-1 USB-C dock that adds screens over DisplayLink, with 100 W laptop charging, Gigabit Ethernet and a 3.5 mm jack.
- Best For
- Laptop users who need multiple monitors
- Accessory Type
- USB-C docking station
- Launch Price
- $259.99
- Works With
- Windows, macOS, ChromeOS
- Connection
- USB-C
Want a full dock that travels without a power brick? The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock builds its power supply into a fanless aluminium case and adds 11 ports, including HDMI 2.1 and 2.5GbE, with 90 W laptop charging over one Thunderbolt cable.
- Best For
- Travelling professionals and hot desks
- Accessory Type
- Thunderbolt docking station
- Launch Price
- $399
- Works With
- macOS, Windows, iPadOS, ChromeOS
- Connection
- Thunderbolt (USB-C host port)
Review Scores Compared
Expert Score
Primary Output Performance
Build & Desk Ergonomics
Software Suite & Automation
Universal Compatibility
Setup & Installation
Editorial Reviews Comparison
Primary Output Performance
- Anker 563 Dock7.7/10
- OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock8.5/10Leader
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. Spec-based reasoning: Gigabit Ethernet takes busy office Wi-Fi out of the call path. The 3.5 mm jack takes a wired headset without a separate adapter.
OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock
The 11 ports include three Thunderbolt ports, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE, USB-A and USB-C ports, an SD card reader and an audio combo jack. Spec-based reasoning: wired 2.5GbE takes venue Wi-Fi out of the equation on video calls. HDMI 2.1 drives high-resolution displays, and the audio combo jack takes wired headsets.
Build & Desk Ergonomics
- Anker 563 Dock—
- OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock8.5/10
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. Compared with the CalDigit TS4, it is a flat desktop unit with fewer ports and no Thunderbolt bandwidth.
OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock
The dock uses a rugged, fanless aluminium case with the power supply inside, so it needs only a standard two-prong figure-8 power cord and a Thunderbolt cable. A fanless design adds no fan noise near a desk microphone. Figure-8 power cords are a common standard, so a replacement is easy to source.
Software Suite & Automation
- Anker 563 Dock6.0/10
- OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock8.0/10Leader
Anker 563 Dock
The DisplayLink Manager app is what drives the second and third screens on macOS; Windows uses the DisplayLink driver.
OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock
OWC lists MDM compatibility and its Dock Ejector software, which unmounts connected drives in one click.
Universal Compatibility
- Anker 563 Dock9.3/10
- OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock9.3/10
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.
OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock
The dock works with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, USB4 and USB-C hosts, including Mac, Windows PCs, iPad and Chromebook. OWC lists support for one 8K or up to two 4K displays. Display support depends on the host. Apple's base-chip Macs differ here: base M1 and M2 models support one external display, and later base models support two in some configurations, so check Apple's tech specs for your Mac.
Setup & Installation
- Anker 563 Dock10.0/10
- OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock10.0/10
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.
OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock
One Thunderbolt cable connects the dock to a laptop and delivers up to 90 W charging. A certified 0.7 m OWC Thunderbolt cable comes in the box. Setup is power cord, laptop cable, then displays, Ethernet and a headset. MDM compatibility lets IT teams manage Go Dock workstations remotely, which suits hot desks and travelling staff.
Why Anker 563 Dock Beats OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock (and Vice Versa)
Why Anker 563 Dock beats OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock
- Power Delivery: 100 W to laptop, 30 W USB-C vs 90 W
Why OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock beats Anker 563 Dock
- Better software suite & automation: 8.0 vs 6.0 out of 10
- Better primary output performance: 8.5 vs 7.7 out of 10
- Ports: 11 ports: 3 x Thunderbolt, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE, USB-A, USB-C, S… vs 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x USB-C (30 W), 1 x USB-A 5 Gbp…
- Video Output: One 8K or up to two 4K displays (host dependent) vs HDMI 4K30, HDMI 2K50, DisplayPort 2K60
Review-score leads of 0.5+ points out of 10 first, then specs where only one comes out ahead.
Full Specifications
General
| Anker 563 Dock | OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Laptop users who need multiple monitors | Travelling professionals and hot desks |
| Release Year | 2021 | 2023 Better |
| Launch Price | $259.99 Better | $399 |
| Use Case | Multi-monitor laptop desk | — |
| Model Number | A8395 | OWCTB4DKG11P |
Primary Output Performance
| Anker 563 Dock7.7/10 | OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock8.5/10 Better | |
|---|---|---|
| Accessory Type (Lighting, Mounts & Stands, Docks & Hubs, Capture, Backdrops, Other) | USB-C docking station | Thunderbolt docking station |
| Power Delivery | 100 W to laptop, 30 W USB-C Better | 90 W |
| Video Output | HDMI 4K30, HDMI 2K50, DisplayPort 2K60 | One 8K or up to two 4K displays (host dependent) Better |
| Data Speed | 5 Gbps | — |
| Key Features | DisplayLink triple display, 100 W laptop charging | Built-in power supply, fanless design, MDM compatible, Dock Ejector software |
| Materials | — | Aluminium |
Build & Desk Ergonomics
| Anker 563 Dock | OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock8.5/10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 170.1 x 80.1 x 24.5 mm | — |
Universal Compatibility
| Anker 563 Dock9.3/10 | OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock9.3/10 | |
|---|---|---|
| OS Support | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS | macOS, Windows, iPadOS, ChromeOS |
| Connection | USB-C | Thunderbolt (USB-C host port) |
| Compatible Devices | USB-C laptops | Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, USB4 and USB-C hosts |
| Works With | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS | macOS, Windows, iPadOS, ChromeOS |
| Ports | 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 | 11 ports: 3 x Thunderbolt, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE, USB-A, USB-C, SD card reader, audio combo jack Better |
Setup & Installation
| Anker 563 Dock10.0/10 | OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock10.0/10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Plug and Play | — | Yes |
| Cables Included | — | 0.7 m OWC Thunderbolt cable, power cord |
| Power | — | Built-in power supply |
Takeaways
- Anker 563 Dock costs the least ($259.99), and OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock the most ($399).
- Our pick: OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock, with the highest spec-based rating (4.3/5).
- Choose Anker 563 Dock for laptop users who need multiple monitors.
- Choose OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock for travelling professionals and hot desks.
Pros and Cons
Anker 563 Dock
PROS
- Up to three external monitors
- 100 W laptop charging
- Gigabit Ethernet and audio jack
- Works with base M1 and M2 MacBooks
CONS
- 4K limited to 30 Hz
- Data limited to 5 Gbps
- DisplayLink driver required for extra screens
OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock
PROS
- No external power brick
- 2.5GbE for stable calls
- HDMI 2.1 and Thunderbolt display outputs
- Rugged fanless aluminium body
CONS
- Pricier than many docks
- Heavier than USB-C hubs
- Display support varies by host
Similar Comparisons
OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock8.7/10
CalDigit TS47.9/10OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock vs CalDigit TS4
Anker 563 Dock8.0/10CalDigit TS47.9/10Anker 563 Dock vs CalDigit TS4
Quick Verdict
- Anker 563 Dock 8.0No outright category lead
- OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock 8.7Best overallLeads in Primary Output Performance, Software Suite & Automation