Anker 563 vs Prime DL7400: DisplayLink Dock Comparison

Anker 563 DisplayLink vs Anker Prime DL7400

The Anker 563 DisplayLink and Anker Prime DL7400 are USB-C desk docks for a specific kind of setup: you need more screens than your laptop can natively provide, and you are comfortable installing DisplayLink software to get them.

That shared premise matters. Neither dock is a native Thunderbolt dock. The Anker 563 has a 5Gbps USB-C host link, and the Prime DL7400 moves to 10Gbps USB-C. Both use DisplayLink for their multi-monitor output. Windows and macOS need the driver, and macOS needs Screen Recording permission before the DisplayLink screens work normally. If you want a driver-free dock for a high-refresh display, gaming, protected video, or very fast external storage, start with our USB-C vs Thunderbolt docking stations guide instead.

For the productivity desk this comparison targets, the Prime DL7400 is the clear overall winner. It supplies more charging power, triple 4K at 60Hz support, 2.5GbE, card readers, more downstream USB ports, and a two-year warranty. The older Anker 563 still has a place. Its 100W host charging, compact vertical design, 30W USB-C charging port, and more modest display targets make sense for a basic three-screen office setup where the main monitor does not need more than 4K at 30Hz.

Quick specs

The table is less about finding a surprise than identifying the gap. The 563 is a 2022-era DisplayLink dock with a constrained 5Gbps host connection and display modes aimed at documents and general office work. The DL7400 is a newer, higher-power model with a more complete desktop port selection. Both can add screens to a base Apple Silicon MacBook through DisplayLink, but the screen quality and peripheral headroom are different.

Display support: triple monitors, very different ceilings

Both docks can connect three external monitors, which is why they are easy to confuse. The distinction is not monitor count. It is the resolution and refresh rate available after the third display is attached.

The Anker 563’s first HDMI port can run one 4K display at 30Hz. Its DisplayPort can run one 2560x1440 display at 60Hz, while the second HDMI is rated for 2560x1440 at 50Hz. In the three-display configuration, Anker lists one 4K at 30Hz screen plus two 2048x1152 at 60Hz screens. A monitor that does not accept 2048x1152 can fall back to 1920x1080. That is workable for email, browser windows, accounting software, messaging, and documentation. It is less appealing if your primary screen needs smooth scrolling or if all three displays are 4K panels you want to use at their native resolution.

The DL7400 has the same three-output layout of two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort, but its practical three-screen target is triple 4K at 60Hz through DisplayLink. Its DisplayPort is also rated for a single 8K display at 60Hz on compatible equipment. Each HDMI 2.1 output is rated for 8K at 30Hz, although Anker notes that HDMI above 4K uses YUV 4:2:0 and recommends 4K at 60Hz for the better desktop experience. Those are meaningful limits, not marketing filler. Most buyers will get more useful results from three 4K screens at 60Hz than from chasing a single 8K mode.

DisplayLink gives both products an advantage over plain USB-C MST docks on many MacBooks. A base M-series MacBook that normally supports only one external monitor can use DisplayLink to add more productivity displays. The compromise is software and a compressed display path. Neither dock is intended for fast-action gaming, color-critical review, or other latency-sensitive work. The best docking stations for MacBook Pro page explains why the Mac’s native display limit still matters when you pick a dock.

Display winner: Anker Prime DL7400. It supports the same number of displays at a much higher useful ceiling: triple 4K at 60Hz instead of one 4K at 30Hz with lower-resolution companion screens.

Ports and desk setup

The 563 covers ordinary desktop peripherals without excess. It has one USB-C 3.2 port with 30W charging, one USB-A 3.2 port with 7.5W charging, and two USB-A 2.0 ports. A keyboard, mouse receiver, webcam, phone, and one fast enough USB accessory can all fit. It also includes Gigabit Ethernet and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. There are no SD or microSD readers, so camera cards require a separate reader.

That port mix has an intentional limitation. Only one downstream USB-C port is available, and the 5Gbps host link has to carry its USB traffic and the display workload. The 563 works better as a desk dock for routine peripherals than as the center of a fast-storage workflow. Its 180W external power adapter is included, which is helpful when you do not already own a USB-C charger with enough headroom.

The DL7400 has four USB-C ports and three USB-A ports. The YAML lists one USB-C port at 140W and three more at up to 100W, with two USB-A 3.2 ports and one USB-A 2.0 port. Its front USB-C ports handle charging and data, not video. That is worth knowing before buying a portable USB-C monitor for the desk. Use the two HDMI ports or DisplayPort for displays.

The DL7400 also adds 2.5GbE, SD and microSD readers, and the same style of 3.5mm combo jack. The card readers are UHS-I class rather than UHS-II, so they are convenient for casual transfers but do not replace a dedicated fast reader for regular large-card offloads. Its built-in AC power also avoids an external brick sitting beside the dock. For a desk with wired networking, card media, several charging devices, and multiple USB peripherals, that is a real reduction in adapters.

The Prime model has a front status display and support for Anker Dock Manager. According to the product YAML, the screen can show charging, data, display, resolution, refresh rate, and fan information. That is a convenience feature, not a reason to overlook the DisplayLink constraints. Still, it gives you a direct way to check what the dock is negotiating without opening system settings.

Port winner: Anker Prime DL7400. The higher USB-C count, 2.5GbE, card readers, and built-in power make it more capable as a permanent desk dock. Choose the 563 only if its smaller set of ports covers your actual peripherals.

Charging and host bandwidth

The 563 sends up to 100W to the connected laptop. That is enough for many USB-C laptops and gives it a practical edge over compact hubs with 65W or lower delivery. It also has a separate 30W USB-C charging and data port, which can be useful for a phone or tablet while the dock powers the laptop.

The DL7400 raises maximum host charging to 140W. That figure has two conditions stated in its YAML: the laptop needs USB-C PD 3.1 support, and heavy use of the front USB-C ports can reduce the available charging rate. It is still the better option for a larger MacBook Pro or a workstation-class USB-C laptop that can negotiate the higher rate. A laptop that does not support 140W will charge at its own negotiated rate, not at a forced 140W.

Host bandwidth matters alongside charging. The 563 uses USB-C at 5Gbps. The DL7400 doubles that to 10Gbps. Neither figure equals Thunderbolt 4’s 40Gbps class, and both docks are fundamentally designed around productivity monitors plus common peripherals. The extra headroom on the DL7400 is welcome for USB devices and networking, but it does not make DisplayLink a native high-bandwidth video path.

Charging and bandwidth winner: Anker Prime DL7400. Its 140W ceiling and 10Gbps host connection are useful upgrades, as long as the connected laptop supports PD 3.1 and your workload suits DisplayLink.

Compatibility and day-to-day trade-offs

The two docks share several caveats because they share the same display technology. Both support Windows and macOS with DisplayLink software. On macOS, the DisplayLink Manager application needs Screen Recording permission. If the driver is missing or permission is denied, the extra DisplayLink screens will not appear normally. Both are most at home with office apps, dashboards, browser windows, and communication tools.

The 563 adds a specific limitation on its secondary video outputs: the 2K HDMI and DisplayPort paths do not support HDCP. Protected streaming can fail there, so use the laptop display or the first HDMI path when possible. The dock’s common issue notes also mention black screens, sleep reconnection problems, and 2K monitors falling back to 1080p when they do not accept the 2048x1152 mode.

The DL7400 has its own protected-video warning. HDCP-protected services such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ can show black video on external DisplayLink displays while audio continues. It is also not officially supported on Linux or ChromeOS in its compatibility table. Its active cooling and Dock Manager controls may appeal to an enthusiast desk, but they do not remove the DisplayLink driver requirement.

Neither dock should be your first choice for high-motion games or protected-video playback on the connected monitors. For standard office work, those caveats are easier to live with. For a driver-free native display solution, look at the best docks for dual monitors and prioritize a product whose host connection and monitor needs match the laptop.

Value and warranty

The product YAML lists the Anker 563 at a $199.99 MSRP and records an 18-month limited warranty. Its value is straightforward: it is a focused DisplayLink dock that provides three productivity monitors, 100W laptop charging, Ethernet, audio, and a compact vertical chassis. Buy it because those capabilities are enough, not because it matches a premium dock’s port count or display ceiling.

The DL7400 earns its higher 8.1 score through the practical upgrades in its own YAML: triple 4K at 60Hz, 140W charging capability, 2.5GbE, more USB ports, card readers, a built-in power supply, and a 24-month limited warranty. The DL7400 also has more requirements to get the most from it. You need the DisplayLink driver, macOS permission where applicable, and a PD 3.1 laptop to reach the 140W maximum.

Value winner: Anker Prime DL7400 for demanding multi-monitor desks. The 563 remains the more restrained choice when you only need basic productivity screens and 100W charging.

Verdict: choose the DL7400 for a serious DisplayLink desk

The Anker Prime DL7400 wins this comparison because its strengths align with the reason people buy a large DisplayLink dock in the first place. It runs three 4K displays at 60Hz, delivers up to 140W to a compatible PD 3.1 laptop, and has the ports for a full desk setup: 2.5GbE, card readers, four USB-C ports, three USB-A ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio. Its 8.1 score and 24-month warranty reinforce that it is the more complete option.

Choose the Anker Prime DL7400 if:

• You need three 4K displays at 60Hz for productivity work.
• Your laptop supports USB-C PD 3.1 and benefits from up to 140W charging.
• You want 2.5GbE, SD and microSD readers, and more downstream USB ports.
• You want a dock with built-in AC power and status information on the front.
• You understand the DisplayLink driver and protected-video limitations.

Choose the Anker 563 DisplayLink if:

• You need an affordable three-screen productivity setup, not three 4K displays at 60Hz.
• Up to 100W host charging is enough for your laptop.
• One 4K at 30Hz screen plus lower-resolution companion displays fits your work.
• You want the 30W USB-C charging port and compact vertical layout.
• You can accept its 5Gbps host link and lack of card readers.

For a broader view of the trade-off, compare these reviews with the docking station buying guide before deciding whether DisplayLink is the right display technology for your desk.