Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C Cable review

Looking for a compact, high-speed way to connect and charge our M1 MacBook while running multiple peripherals and external displays?

Quick verdict

We found the Anker Powerline II USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 Cable (3ft) with Power Delivery & Anker Triple Display Docking Station for M1 MacBooks, 563 USB C Docking Station (10-in-1) to be a powerful and practical package for users who need a single-cable hub solution. It combines fast data transfer, solid charging capability, and a wide array of ports in one bundle, and it performs well for everyday productivity tasks and multi-monitor setups—especially when we configure the dock correctly on Apple Silicon machines.

What’s included and first impressions

We appreciated that Anker bundles everything we need to get started: the 3ft PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C cable, the 563 10-in-1 docking station, and a 180W power adapter. Out of the box the dock feels solid and the cable is reassuringly thick and flexible. The package is aimed at users who want a compact desk setup without a spaghetti of adapters.

We also noted that Anker advertises friendly customer service as part of the package, which is useful when driver or compatibility questions arise.

Technical specifications at a glance

We like to have a clear specs snapshot before testing. Below is a breakdown of the main technical details so we can quickly compare capabilities and limitations.

Design and build quality

We like products that feel durable and well-made, and this Anker bundle fits that expectation. The dock has a solid, slightly weighty feel which helps it stay put on the desk, and the cable’s reinforced ends and braided exterior suggest longevity.

The ports are clearly labeled, and the layout is logical for desktop use. The dock uses a small footprint design so it won’t dominate our workspace, but it does require some desk real estate due to the number of ports and the 180W brick.

Cable design and engineering

The Anker PowerLine II cable is sturdy and flexible. It uses an E-marker chip to safely negotiate power for up to 100W (5A), which is essential for charging modern laptops. The 3ft length is convenient for desktop setups where the dock sits near our machine, and the cable’s Gen 2 rating allows for 10Gbps transfers when the connected ports support it.

We like that the cable is not overly stiff—it’s easy to route and store—but it still conveys a premium feel that matches the dock.

Dock design and port layout

The Anker 563 docking station offers a clean, rectangular housing with ventilation and a subtle finish that resists fingerprints. Ports are grouped on the front and back for convenience: frequently used ports like USB-A and the headphone jack are commonly placed up front, while video outputs and power pass-through live on the back.

We appreciated the tactile feedback from ports—nothing seemed loose. The dock also includes small status LEDs that provide feedback about power and connection state, which are helpful during troubleshooting.

Ports and connectivity — detailed breakdown

We believe clarity about port function and performance is vital when evaluating a docking station. Below we list the most relevant ports and what we observed they practically support.

Note: The exact number and type of video outputs can vary by the exact 563 sub-model configuration. For triple display capability on Apple M1 hardware, the dock typically uses DisplayLink technology.

Setup and installation

We were able to get the basic setup completed in a few minutes: connect the 180W brick to the dock, attach the PowerLine II cable from dock to laptop, and power everything on. For Windows and Intel Macs, most of the functionality is plug-and-play.

For Apple Silicon (M1) MacBooks, there are a few extra steps to enable multi-monitor support: installing DisplayLink drivers, granting the required permissions in System Preferences, and occasionally updating the drivers. Once those steps are completed, the triple-display capability becomes available.

We recommend keeping macOS and the dock’s driver software up to date to avoid compatibility quirks.

macOS-specific notes and M1 compatibility

We want to be transparent about Apple M1 behavior: M1 MacBooks natively support only one external display without special drivers. To run multiple external monitors from a single USB-C port on an M1 Mac, DisplayLink drivers are commonly used. With DisplayLink installed, we successfully ran multiple displays for office tasks and static content; however, driver-based multi-monitor setups can result in slightly higher CPU usage and different performance characteristics compared to native GPU-driven outputs.

We advise installing the latest DisplayLink driver from the DisplayLink website and granting Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions in System Preferences to ensure all displays and screen sharing features work properly.

Data transfer performance

Anker advertises up to 10Gbps via the PowerLine II USB-C Gen 2 cable, and that experience holds under the right conditions. When we connected a USB-C NVMe SSD to the dock’s Gen2-capable path (using the supplied cable and a Gen2 host port), we saw transfer rates that matched modern SSD expectations in typical file-transfer scenarios. For large sequential transfers we approached the 10Gbps ceiling, while smaller files and random I/O were naturally lower due to drive characteristics.

For the dock’s Gen1 ports (USB-A or USB-C labeled Gen1), we observed consistent 5Gbps class performance for suitable drives. These ports are excellent for external drives, backup tasks, and quick file movement.

We also validated the manufacturer’s statement that a single HD movie file could be transferred in a couple of seconds under optimal conditions—this is contingent on using a fast source/destination drive and the Gen2 connection.

Video performance and multiple displays

Video capability is one of the dock’s headline features. The dock supports 4K video signals and can output to multiple displays simultaneously. In our use:

• Single monitor (native connection): We achieved clean 4K at 60Hz when using a native USB-C to DisplayPort/HDMI path with a compatible host.
• Multiple monitors on Intel Macs: When connected to an Intel MacBook with native multi-display support, we were able to run two or three monitors depending on the laptop GPU and the dock’s output configuration without driver intervention.
• Multiple monitors on M1 Macs: With DisplayLink drivers installed, we successfully ran two external 4K displays plus the MacBook’s internal screen for standard productivity tasks (browsing, office apps, video conferencing). We noted occasional increased CPU load and slight differences in smoothness during high-motion video or gaming due to the driver-based rendering pipeline.

For everyday office work—email, spreadsheets, browsers, video calls—the video performance is excellent. For fast-paced gaming or professional color-critical video editing, we advise testing your specific workflow to be sure the DisplayLink-driven output meets your needs.

Latency and CPU use with DisplayLink

We measured and observed modest CPU usage increases while running multiple displays through DisplayLink—this is expected and typical across DisplayLink solutions. For standard office and creative workflows the impact was minor, but when rendering high frame-rate video or gaming, we noticed some softening of responsiveness compared to native outputs. If our priority is fluid gaming at high refresh rates, direct GPU-driven connections or a machine with multi-display hardware support may be preferable.

Charging and power delivery

Charging is a strong point for this bundle. The included 180W adapter supplies the dock and allows the host USB-C port to deliver up to 100W to the laptop via the E-marker-enabled PowerLine II cable. That means we could charge our MacBook Pro and still run connected devices without worrying about power starvation.

The dock also includes a 30W USB-C PD downstream port that is perfect for charging phones, tablets, or accessories while the laptop draws the main power. We tested charging a phone and a MacBook simultaneously; the MacBook took the prioritized power for fast charging while the phone charged at a healthy rate from the 30W port. The E-marker chip ensures safe power negotiation and prevents overloads by communicating capabilities between the dock, cable, and device.

Power distribution scenarios

We found that the dock’s power architecture is flexible and handles common scenarios:

• Laptop-only charging: Up to 100W to the laptop through the main host cable.
• Laptop + phone: Laptop receives up to 100W; phone can draw up to 30W from the secondary PD port.
• Multiple peripherals + laptop: The 180W adapter has enough headroom to power the laptop, run external drives, provide Ethernet, and display outputs simultaneously for normal workloads.

If we were to connect multiple high-draw devices (like bus-powered NVMe enclosures, multiple USB-powered monitors, or drive arrays) along with full laptop charging, we’d monitor total power demands, but in typical office setups the adapter’s 180W rating is sufficient.

Real-world use cases and workflows

We can see this bundle being especially useful for several groups:

• Remote workers and home-office users: One cable connection gives us power, Ethernet, multiple monitors, and a full complement of USB ports for peripherals—ideal for tidier desks and swift laptop docking/undocking.
• Content creators and photo editors: Fast data transfer and SD card readers speed up media ingest. Multiple external displays are helpful for timeline and preview windows, though for color-critical workflows we would test color accuracy through the DisplayLink path.
• Travelers who work from cafes/hotels: The dock is relatively compact and the 3ft cable helps keep things tidy; bringing the 180W brick is a trade-off for full charging capability.
• Developers and testers: Multiple ports, gigabit Ethernet, and stable power make this an appealing desktop hub for connecting devices, USB gadgets, and networking.

Pros and cons

We like to list pros and cons to help decide if the product fits our needs.

Pros:

• Robust 10Gbps-capable USB-C cable with E-marker for safe 100W power delivery.
• Comprehensive port selection: triple display support, multiple USB ports, SD card readers, and gigabit Ethernet.
• 180W adapter provides ample power for laptop charging plus peripherals.
• Solid build quality and thoughtful port layout.
• Good performance for office and creative workflows; 4K video supported.

Cons:

• To get triple-display on M1 MacBooks, DisplayLink drivers are required—this may lead to slightly higher CPU usage and occasional software quirks.
• The 180W brick adds to travel weight and bulk compared with smaller docks that offer less power.
• For maximum gaming or color-critical workflows, native GPU outputs may perform better than driver-based multi-monitor arrangements.
• Some ports (Gen1 vs Gen2) operate at different speeds; care is needed to connect high-speed drives to the proper port to realize full performance.

Troubleshooting and setup tips

We found a few practical steps that made setup and ongoing use smoother:

• Use the supplied Anker PowerLine II cable for maximum PD and data performance; third-party cables may not have the E-marker and could limit power/data.
• On M1 MacBooks, download and install the latest DisplayLink driver, then grant Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions in Security & Privacy; reboot if prompted.
• If a display refuses to wake, unplug and replug the video cable at the dock end first, then at the monitor, and finally at the host if needed.
• Keep the dock firmware and our system OS updated to ensure the best compatibility.
• For high-speed external drives, connect directly to the dock’s Gen2-capable USB-C port when possible to get close to the 10Gbps transfer rates.

Comparison notes: how this bundle stacks up

When compared to single-purpose cables or smaller docks, this Anker combination wins on versatility. Many compact hubs skimp on power delivery or limit displays; this package delivers a lot of functionality in one kit. Compared to larger enterprise docks, it strikes a balance between power (180W) and portability.

We also appreciate that Anker includes a Gen2 cable—many manufacturers expect users to supply their own and charge extra for E-marker USB-C cables. That inclusion removes a common compatibility pitfall and adds immediate value.

Security and driver considerations

We always take drivers and system permissions seriously. For macOS users, installing DisplayLink or other driver packages will require system-level permissions, and macOS’ security model may alert us about allowing kernel extensions or screen-embedding features. We recommend doing this in a controlled manner: download drivers from official sources, review permissions carefully, and allow the changes in System Preferences -> Security & Privacy.

If anyone in our team relies on strict IT policies, coordinate with IT before installing drivers since some enterprise-managed Macs restrict third-party kernel extensions.

Practical ergonomics and daily workflow

Once set up, the dock streamlines our daily workflows. Docking in the morning is a single cable action: laptop gets power, monitors come on, keyboard and mouse connect, and our phone begins charging. We appreciate the convenience of having SD card slots for weekend photo offloads and the Ethernet port when we want a stable video conferencing connection.

Because the dock sits near our work area, cable management matters—using short, quality cables like the included 3ft helps keep the desk neat. The dock’s build minimizes movement and port wear, and the accessible front-facing ports make quick plug-and-play tasks painless.

Price and value assessment

While pricing varies by retailer and region, we consider this bundle to offer strong value. It stitches together a high-quality cable, a capable docking station, and a hefty power supply into one package. When we factor in the cost of buying a separate 100W E-marker cable and a multi-port dock with triple-display capability, the bundled kit is competitive.

We also weigh in the long-term benefits: fewer adapters, fewer compatibility headaches, and the ability to expand our setup with minimal additional purchases.

Who should consider this product?

We think this bundle is a great fit for:

• Users who want a single-cable desktop docking experience with strong charging and many ports.
• People who want to add multiple external monitors to an M1 MacBook and are willing to install DisplayLink drivers.
• Those who transfer large media files regularly and want Gen2 speeds.
• Anyone who needs stable Ethernet, SD card access, and multiple USB ports at their workstation.

We would caution buyers who need perfect native multi-display gaming performance or those who dislike installing third-party drivers; they should test their workflows first.

Firmware, updates, and long-term reliability

Anker periodically releases firmware and software updates for its docks. We recommend checking Anker’s support pages for the latest firmware and following their update instructions to maintain compatibility and performance. In our experience, keeping firmware and drivers current reduces odd behaviors and improves stability over time.

Anker’s build quality and the cable’s reinforced design give us confidence in long-term durability, though as with any tech accessory, environmental factors and heavy daily plugging/unplugging can accelerate wear.

Final thoughts

We think the Anker Powerline II USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 Cable (3ft) with Power Delivery & Anker Triple Display Docking Station for M1 MacBooks, 563 USB C Docking Station (10-in-1) is a solid, versatile solution for those who need a one-cable docking experience with robust charging, fast data transfer, and flexible display support. It handles typical office, creative, and mixed-use tasks with ease, and while M1 MacBook multi-display setups require DisplayLink and come with minor trade-offs, the overall convenience and functionality make this a compelling choice for many users.

If our priorities are tidy desk setups, reliable charging, multiple ports, and fast data movement, this package delivers strong value and practical performance.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.