Applies to: Anker 778 A83A9, using the manufacturer’s linked FAQ. Unlisted Mac generations are not certified by this guide.
Resolve the host question before the port count
Anker’s FAQ specifies Thunderbolt 4 on the computer. It explicitly lists MacBook Pro M1 Pro and M1 Max as compatible while excluding “M1 and M2 MacBooks”. That wording is not a complete matrix for later chips; obtain model-specific confirmation rather than interpreting silence as support. Anker: 778 Thunderbolt dock FAQ
Record the entire chip name. A MacBook Pro carrying a base chip is not equivalent to a Pro-series chip. A USB-C socket on a Windows laptop is similarly insufficient evidence of Thunderbolt support.
Why charging changes during the day
The same FAQ describes a shared power budget: up to 100 W for the host, falling to 65 W when both 30 W front USB-C ports are used. If a charging warning appears after connecting a phone and tablet, that sequence is useful evidence.
| Test | Keep constant | Observe |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop alone | Host cable and workload | Battery direction and any power warning. |
| Add front-port devices | Same laptop workload | Whether the warning begins with the added loads. |
| Original laptop charger | Same normal task | Whether the computer now maintains charge. |
A successful comparison identifies a power-budget issue; it does not measure exact delivered wattage.
Do not translate four sockets into four Mac desktops
The dock offers several video outputs, but the laptop’s native display count and supported output combinations still apply. Plan the whole arrangement before purchasing adapters. Use the exact host’s display specification, not a generic Thunderbolt maximum.
For an existing desk, establish one monitor first, add the second, and record the selected modes. If the additional output never appears independently, return to host support and output topology before trying a display utility.
What to ask before buying
- Is this exact laptop model and chip supported, with this operating system?
- Which output pair supports the two monitor modes I require?
- Will the remaining host power cover my workload while front charging ports are occupied?
- Can I return the complete dock and adapter bundle if the confirmed configuration does not work?
Sources & scope
These instructions combine published references with our proposed diagnostic sequence. This setup has not been physically tested by Connect Your Dock. Manufacturer documents can change; use the exact model and scope linked below.
How we assess evidence