Before I tell you about the Anker Prime DL7400 specifically, I need to make the case for desk docks in general, because I think a lot of people are sleeping on how much of a difference one makes. I’ve been a fan of KVM switches for years. The flexibility of being able to flip between machines using the same keyboard, mouse and monitors is brilliant. But the KVM never solved the problem that quietly annoyed me the most: charging.
Not charging one thing. Charging everything. Laptops, phones, headphones, tablets, a spare battery pack that always seemed to be flat when I needed it. Chargers going walkabout. Power bricks piling up. The wrong cable in the wrong drawer. If that sounds familiar, a good dock sorts it in one go, and the DL7400 sorts it better than most.
What the Anker Prime DL7400 actually does
This is a 14-port docking station with triple-display support, 140W upstream charging to your laptop, and 100W available from the front USB-C ports. That front-facing 100W means fast-charging an iPad Pro or a laptop isn’t something you have to plan around. You plug in, it charges fast, done. And I have multiple high-powered devices, even two tablets, charging at once – the device never struggles.
It’s important to note that the cable running from the back of the hub is intended to be the main device. I have this running to the side of my desk for what ever laptop I have plugged in at the time, assuming I’m not using my gaming PC.
As I said, plethora of devices being charged, though naturally the gaming PC isn’t included in that list!
The port count alone doesn’t tell the story. What makes this dock feel different is that all the charging technology is built into the unit itself. There is no separate power brick sitting on the floor or stuffed behind the desk. A standard AC cable comes off the back of the dock and that’s it. If you’ve ever tried to manage under-desk cable runs, you’ll know how much that simplifies things. The brick is the dock.
DisplayLink
The DL7400 handles requires DisplayLink, a software-driven display technology that installs via a driver. Setup is straightforward and works well for everyday productivity use. It’s important to note that having this driver installed can make or break this hub working for you. DisplayLink is widely used in companies, but if your IT team won’t let you install this driver, the hub might not work at all for you.
Naturally, if you are buying for personal use – you should be able to work this out on both Windows and Mac – both I’ve tested and work perfectly.
The front screen is more useful than it sounds
There is a small LCD on the front of the DL7400 that shows live power draw across the ports, fan mode, and basic diagnostics. I know that sounds like a minor detail, but I’ve noticed a dead phone connection more than once because my eye caught 0W on the port I’d plugged into. Dust in the connector, a slightly loose cable; whatever the cause, the screen catches it immediately where you’d otherwise only realise an hour later.
The dock also has an active cooling fan, which keeps temperatures stable under load. It runs quietly and you’ll mostly forget it’s there. Some docks get warm enough that you start to wonder about longevity; this one doesn’t give you that concern.
Is the Anker Prime DL7400 worth the price?
It is on the pricier side for a dock, and there are cheaper options if all you need is a few extra ports. For most people though, and certainly for anyone working from a MacBook Air or a mid-range Windows laptop, the DL7400 hits a sweet spot between functionality, build quality and cable management.
The unit itself is taller than a typical dock. If you have a monitor riser with limited clearance underneath, check the dimensions before buying or be ready to move things around. It’s not a problem for most setups but it’s the one gotcha worth knowing about upfront.
To be honest, I was already sold on the idea of a desk dock long before I reviewed this specific unit. What the DL7400 does is make the case even easier. Everything charges. Everything connects. One cable to the laptop. And no brick on the floor.
The Goosed verdict
The Anker Prime DL7400 is the kind of product that changes how your desk works rather than just adding to it. If you’re running a multi-device setup, working across different machines, or just tired of hunting for the right charger at the end of the day, a dock like this is one of the better investments you can make for your workspace. The DisplayLink triple-monitor support is well-implemented for Mac users who need it, the charging spec is genuinely generous, and the built-in power supply keeps cable runs clean. The price is real, but so is the upgrade.
The Anker Prime DL7400 is available from Anker directly and through major electronics retailers and Amazon.co.uk.
Disclosure: This product was gifted to the author. This means it was provided free of charge to be reviewed but the brand supplying it did not insist on a review, nor do they have any control over the content within this review.
