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Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station vs Microsoft Surface Dock 2: Comparison
Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station vs Microsoft Surface Dock 2: the host power delivery difference
The gap that matters here is host power delivery: Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station 85 W against Microsoft Surface Dock 2 120 W, which puts Microsoft Surface Dock 2 29% ahead. Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station also leads on total ports, 13 on the Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station versus 7 on the Microsoft Surface Dock 2.
Who each one is for
Buy the Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station for work laptops where installing drivers is not allowed, though it is not the pick for Mac users who want more than one extended display and charging laptops that need more than 85W. The same goes for Windows laptops driving one 4K 60Hz monitor or up to three 1080p monitors. It is not the one for two 4K monitors at 60Hz, since dual 4K runs at 30Hz. The Microsoft Surface Dock 2 is the one to take for Surface Pro and Surface Laptop fleets in Windows-only offices and desk setups that value the fast magnetic snap-on connection, though it is the wrong buy for Mac or Linux users and buyers who want more than two simultaneous external displays. It is equally the pick for IT admins who want a single-SKU dock across a Surface deployment. It is the wrong buy for any non-Surface laptop, since it has no generic USB-C or Thunderbolt host port.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: ethernet, ethernet speed, thunderbolt version, bus powered and video path are identical here. They match on 6 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station and Microsoft Surface Dock 2 differ on connection type?
Yes. Connection Type reads USB-C on the Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station versus Surface Connect on the Microsoft Surface Dock 2.
Is the DisplayLink Driver Required the same on the Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station and Microsoft Surface Dock 2?
It is. Both are listed at No, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- Anker
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Microsoft
Connection Type
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Surface Connect
Model Number
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 575 USB-C Docking Station (A8392)
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Surface Dock 2
Port Configuration
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 1x USB-C upstream, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort, 3x USB-A 5Gbps, 2x USB-C 10Gbps data, SD + microSD UHS-I, 1GbE, 3.5mm combo audio, DC-in
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 1x Surface Connect host cable, 2x front USB-C 10Gbps (15W), 2x rear USB-C 10Gbps with DP 1.4 Alt Mode, 2x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x GbE, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
Thunderbolt Version
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- None
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- None
Max Display Support
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- Triple external (3x 1080p)
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Dual 4K
Max Display Resolution
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- Single 4K@60Hz, dual 4K@30Hz, triple 1080p
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Dual 4K@60Hz
Host Cable Length
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 0.9 m
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 0.8 m
Total Ports
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 13Best
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 7-46%
Host Power Delivery
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 85 W-29%
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 120 W
Ethernet
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- Yes
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Yes
Bus Powered
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- No
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- No
Video Path
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- DisplayPort Alt Mode
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- DisplayPort Alt Mode
DisplayLink Driver Required
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- No
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- No
Max Displays Windows
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 3
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 2
Max Dual Display Resolution
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 4K
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 4K
Max Dual Display Refresh
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 30 Hz
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 60 Hz
DisplayPort Port Count
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 1
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 0
Downstream Thunderbolt Port Count
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 0
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 0
USB-A Port Count
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 3
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 2
USB-C Data Port Count
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 2
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 4
Max USB Data Rate
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 10Gbps
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 10Gbps
Max Downstream USB-C Power
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 18 W
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 15 W
Ethernet Speed
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- 1GbE
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 1GbE
Audio Jack Configuration
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- Single Combo
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Single Combo
Windows Supported
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- Yes
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Yes
OS Compatibility
- Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
- macOS 10.12+, Windows 8/10/11 (no driver required)
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Windows (Surface devices)
Which one should you pick?
Choose Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station if you want the higher total ports (13 vs 7).
Choose Microsoft Surface Dock 2 if you want the higher host power delivery (120 W vs 85 W).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station | Microsoft Surface Dock 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | $220.00 View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A driver-free 13-port dock with 85W charging and three video outputs.
Microsoft Surface Dock 2
7 / 10 Expert Rating
The right dock only if your fleet is already standardized on Surface hardware.