Anker Prime TB5 + MacBook Pro M5 Max: Can It Run 2 Monitors?
Yes. DeskCheck returns PASS for a MacBook Pro 14-inch with M5 Max connected to the Anker Prime TB5 A83B5 with two external 4K displays at 60 Hz. Anker specifically documents dual extended displays on M5 Max through the dock's two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports.
Setup checked
Anker Prime TB5 for this setup
Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station (14-in-1, 8K, Thunderbolt 5)
The A83B5 provides two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports and is specifically documented by Anker for dual extended displays with M5 Max.
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Why this setup passes
Anker specifically identifies the A83B5 as compatible with MacBook Pro models using M5 Pro and M5 Max.
For M5 Max, Anker documents two extended displays through the dock's two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports.
Anker's published M5 Max examples go substantially beyond DeskCheck's 4K 60 Hz target, including dual 6K 60 Hz and dual 4K 144 Hz configurations.
Apple independently documents that M5 Max can support two external displays at resolutions and refresh rates well above the 4K 60 Hz target checked here.
How to connect the two monitors
For the documented M5 Max dual-display configuration, use the two rear downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports.
A monitor with a compatible USB-C or Thunderbolt video input can connect directly. For monitors using HDMI or DisplayPort, use an appropriate video adapter that supports the requested resolution and refresh rate.
Anker documents the front USB-C ports for charging and data transfer only. They do not provide monitor video output.
Does this setup require DisplayLink?
No.
DeskCheck models this as a native Thunderbolt multi-display configuration.
The documented M5 Max dual-display setup uses the two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports and does not rely on DisplayLink software to create the two displays.
macOS requirement
Anker specifies macOS 15 or later for this Thunderbolt 5 dock.
If the Mac is running an older version of macOS, update the operating system before relying on the documented configuration.
Can the dock supply power to the MacBook Pro?
Yes. Anker documents up to 140W from the upstream Thunderbolt 5 host port using USB Power Delivery 3.1.
DeskCheck treats 140W as the dock's documented host power capability. It does not claim that a particular wattage guarantees charging performance under every workload or operating condition.
What about the HDMI and DisplayPort ports?
The A83B5 also includes HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1, but Anker states that those two ports cannot be used simultaneously.
For the M5 Max dual-display configuration covered by this page, the cleanest documented path is the pair of downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports.
DeskCheck does not treat the presence of HDMI, DisplayPort, and two Thunderbolt outputs as proof that every combination of three or four displays is supported.
Can you connect three monitors instead?
This page does not claim triple-display support for the M5 Max through this dock.
Anker states that triple-display operation on the A83B5 is highly dependent on the host computer and that very few laptops have been verified for the dock's three-display configuration.
Because DeskCheck requires exact evidence for a laptop-and-dock combination, this guide remains limited to the documented dual-display configuration.
What you need
- MacBook Pro 14-inch with M5 Max.
- Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station A83B5.
- macOS 15 or later.
- Two external monitors capable of the requested 4K 60 Hz mode.
- Two compatible display paths from the downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports.
- Suitable Thunderbolt, USB-C video, HDMI, or DisplayPort adapters and cables where required.
- The supplied Thunderbolt 5 host cable or a certified Thunderbolt 5 replacement.
Important limitations
- This PASS applies specifically to the MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 Max, Anker Prime TB5 A83B5, and two external displays at 4K 60 Hz.
- It does not imply that every laptop connected to the A83B5 supports two displays.
- macOS 15 or later is required by Anker.
- The front USB-C ports do not support monitor video output.
- HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 on the dock cannot be used simultaneously.
- Monitor inputs, cables, and adapters still need to support the requested resolution and refresh rate.
- This page does not claim that the M5 Max can run three displays through this dock.
- PASS reflects documented pre-purchase compatibility. It does not guarantee against defective hardware, cable faults, firmware problems, or operating-system issues.
Sources
Anker documents M5 Pro/M5 Max compatibility, dual extended displays on M5 Max, two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, macOS requirements, display restrictions, and up to 140W host charging.
Anker documents dual-monitor operation, monitor-port restrictions, macOS 15 or later, and the requirement to use the rear display-capable ports rather than the front USB-C ports.
Apple documents that M5 Max supports up to four external displays and supports two external displays at substantially higher resolutions and refresh rates than the 4K 60 Hz target used here.
Verification status
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Related guides
DeskCheck evaluates documented pre-purchase compatibility. PASS means the documented capabilities support this exact configuration when the documented connection and operating-system requirements are followed. It does not guarantee against defective cables, damaged hardware, firmware problems, or operating-system faults.
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