Head-to-Head: Plugable UD-7400PD vs. Anker Prime 14-in-1

When comparing high-performance docking stations, two heavyweights usually get thrown into the ring together, both designed to redefine your professional workspace: the Plugable UD-7400PD and the Anker Prime 14-in-1 (DL7400) Dock. Although they are both built around the same DL-7400 DisplayLink chipset and offer features like 140W power delivery and 2.5Gb Ethernet, the two docks are designed with very different priorities in mind.

The core question for professionals today is: Which dock future-proofs your professional setup?

Let’s dive into a feature-by-feature breakdown to see where each contender excels.

Feature Comparison: Plugable UD-7400PD vs. Anker Prime 14-in-1 (DL7400)

Feature Deep Dive

Power: A High-Wattage Tie

Both the Plugable UD-7400PD and the Anker Prime 14-in-1 are built for demanding, modern laptops and support up to 140W Power Delivery (PD) to the host computer. This high-wattage charging ensures even power-hungry 16-inch laptops, like those from Apple, Dell, and HP, receive the power they need to perform at peak capacity while connected to the dock.

Display Support: The Deciding Factor

When maximizing productivity, nothing beats screen real estate. Which DL7400 dock supports five external displays? This is where the UD-7400PD sets a new industry standard.

The Plugable UD-7400PD offers an industry-first 5-display capability (supporting up to 3x 8K or 5x 4K @ 60Hz). Its video architecture is highly flexible, featuring 2x dedicated HDMI outputs and 3x USB-C ports with DisplayLink video output. This innovative design means the USB-C ports do it all: power, data, and video. Users with USB-C monitors benefit directly, but the ports are also flexible with appropriate USB-C video adapters such as the Plugable USBC-HDMI8K.

In contrast, the Anker Prime 14-in-1 only offers a standard triple-display limit (Max 3 displays) via 1x DisplayPort and 2x HDMI. Crucially, its downstream USB-C ports do not support video output, significantly limiting your expansion options.

Space-saving Design

A high-performance dock should enhance your workspace, not crowd it. The UD-7400PD achieves this with a sleek, space-saving design and simpler passive cooling through its aluminum shell.

The Anker dock, while providing solid charging, has a much bulkier design and includes more mechanical complexity with an active fan, which is an additional potential point of failure.

Unique Features: For IT Pros vs. Consumers

Plugable's DockTag™: This unique feature provides professional value for IT teams looking for a docking station for hotdesking and it asset management. This system uses an online portal to enable efficient asset management (tracking serial numbers, MAC addresses, and location) and allows end-users to reserve the dock instantly by scanning an on-screen QR code. Learn more about DockTag through our KB and blog.

Anker's Smart Display: This feature provides a real-time, built-in display to monitor performance metrics. It shows charging power for the host and front USB-C ports, along with the real-time resolution, refresh rate, and connection status for the video ports. It also displays fan performance and can function as a convenient clock. While this is a highly detailed feature for individual users seeking moment-to-moment metrics, it is primarily a consumer-focused tool.

Taken together, these features highlight two very different design philosophies. Plugable’s DockTag system extends the value of a dock into the workspace itself by helping users identify a dock, register it, or reserve a shared desk through a simple on-screen prompt. It supports IT-managed environments where clear asset identification and smooth hotdesking matter. Anker’s Smart Display, in contrast, delivers real-time performance data meant for the individual who wants immediate insight into power levels, resolution, and connection status.

Extensive Interoperability Testing and Support

Compatibility is a top priority for Plugable. The UD-7400PD has undergone comprehensive testing across Windows and macOS, evaluated with a wide range of laptops from leading brands (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Apple). Built for maximum interoperability, it is the ideal solution for mixed-device workplaces and hybrid teams.

Furthermore, Plugable offers Dedicated Customer Support staffed by the same engineers who design and validate the products. This hands-on expertise, coupled with the 24/7 intelligent chat assistant Watts AI, ensures you get instant troubleshooting and reliable product guidance whenever you need it.

Final Thoughts

The Plugable UD-7400PD and the Anker Prime 14-in-1 are both high-calibre docks that use the DL-7400 chipset. The choice between them comes down to a clear trade-off: unmatched screen real estate and sleek design vs. sheer port quantity and consumer features.

For the professional seeking the absolute best workstation capability and the easiest IT management (via DockTag™), the value of the Plugable UD-7400PD's 5-display capacity and space-saving, passively cooled design far outweighs the convenience of extra downstream ports or a consumer-focused display. The UD-7400PD delivers a powerful, versatile, and future-proof experience designed to meet current and evolving connectivity needs.