As an owner of both Dell XPS 13 2in1 and Samsung TabPro S ( and likely a Dell XPS 15 2in1 or new 8th Gen Dell XPS 15? (6 core??) I find a couple of things important with USB-C docks
1. Pass through USB-C Power ability is extremely important 2. I would love for the docks to work the same on each computer. 3. Thunderbolt 3 support is important to me now
I have issue with getting docks to work with both the Dell and XPS. I have settle on Dell TB-16 Doc for my Dell - and have Samsung USB-C adapter ( with HDMI and USB 3 ) for the Samsung I believe the TB-16 should work with Dell XPS 15 2in1 in which I hope to get - or if possible Dell release a new XPS 15 with rumor Intel 6 core mobile CPU. I might have to purchase a 240w external power supply for TB-16
I also have a Chuwi HiPro 8 that is USB-C - but honestly it pretty much a piece of junk for $100 but also has USB-C for power and connection.
Same here. I have a Dell Latitude 5289 and a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet, and I got an Anker USB-C Dock with USB Power Delivery, HDMI (via Display Port Alternate Mode) and USB-A. It works well on the ThinkPad (which is why I bought it).
Different story with the Latitude though. USB-C Power Delivery works only with the Dell charger (not with any other), very unreliably at that, and if it does, HDMI doesn't work. Without USB-C PD, HDMI works fine, but plugging in the Dell charger into the dock has no effect then.
Even the Dell USB-C docks have all sorts of issues (unreliable network, flaky DusplayPort connections with picture that intermittently flashes or jitters,...) with the Latitude.
USB-C is a mess at this point. Not just from a labelling point of view - who can tell what capabilities a USB-C port has, even if they know the difference between DisplayLink and USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode, between USB-C Power Delivery and USB Charging, ThunderBolt, USB-C and USB 3.0 and 3.1 Gen.1 and Gen.2? - but from a compatibility point of view as well. Even if all required features are supported, there's no way of knowing if they'll work on your device without trying.
Calling this a standard is, to put it mildly, optimistic. Here's to hoping the USB-IF will sort this out sooner than later instead of just continuing the chase for the next performance jump and feature checkmark.
I think at least for USB-C there is multiple manufactures that make the components are implemented in different ways. Part of this is because standard is possible too open and cheap manufactures make components especially cables. But at least with Thunderbolt - it at least started out restricted in development. Also that supports multiple platforms (not referring to Intel vs AMD but x86 vs ARM ) add to the complexities of the components.
It's always been the case, mainly with USB and power. I can remember back in the USB2.0 days hunting for specific NEC USB chipsets because the very common VIA USB cards would not supply enough voltage to run the very popular at the time USB ADSL modems.
@jabber that sounds like one of those devices was out of spec. A USB 1.0 or 2.0 port delivers a maximum of 5 volts at 500 milliamps, or 2.5 watts. If the VIA chipset couldn't deliver that, it was broken. If the DSL modems wanted more than that, they were broken.
Not until modern days with USB-PD is there legitimate space in the spec for two devices to be entirely compliant but incompatible based on power output.
I'd lean towards the DSL modems pulling more power than they should have, but that's just a kneejerk reaction because every experience I've ever had with DSL has been bad.
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HStewart - Friday, March 9, 2018 - link
As an owner of both Dell XPS 13 2in1 and Samsung TabPro S ( and likely a Dell XPS 15 2in1 or new 8th Gen Dell XPS 15? (6 core??) I find a couple of things important with USB-C docks1. Pass through USB-C Power ability is extremely important
2. I would love for the docks to work the same on each computer.
3. Thunderbolt 3 support is important to me now
I have issue with getting docks to work with both the Dell and XPS. I have settle on Dell TB-16 Doc for my Dell - and have Samsung USB-C adapter ( with HDMI and USB 3 ) for the Samsung
I believe the TB-16 should work with Dell XPS 15 2in1 in which I hope to get - or if possible Dell release a new XPS 15 with rumor Intel 6 core mobile CPU. I might have to purchase a 240w external power supply for TB-16
I also have a Chuwi HiPro 8 that is USB-C - but honestly it pretty much a piece of junk for $100 but also has USB-C for power and connection.
arne.klein - Saturday, March 10, 2018 - link
Same here. I have a Dell Latitude 5289 and a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet, and I got an Anker USB-C Dock with USB Power Delivery, HDMI (via Display Port Alternate Mode) and USB-A.It works well on the ThinkPad (which is why I bought it).
Different story with the Latitude though. USB-C Power Delivery works only with the Dell charger (not with any other), very unreliably at that, and if it does, HDMI doesn't work. Without USB-C PD, HDMI works fine, but plugging in the Dell charger into the dock has no effect then.
Even the Dell USB-C docks have all sorts of issues (unreliable network, flaky DusplayPort connections with picture that intermittently flashes or jitters,...) with the Latitude.
USB-C is a mess at this point. Not just from a labelling point of view - who can tell what capabilities a USB-C port has, even if they know the difference between DisplayLink and USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode, between USB-C Power Delivery and USB Charging, ThunderBolt, USB-C and USB 3.0 and 3.1 Gen.1 and Gen.2? - but from a compatibility point of view as well. Even if all required features are supported, there's no way of knowing if they'll work on your device without trying.
Calling this a standard is, to put it mildly, optimistic. Here's to hoping the USB-IF will sort this out sooner than later instead of just continuing the chase for the next performance jump and feature checkmark.
Myrandex - Friday, March 9, 2018 - link
I'm excited for this one: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hypershop/hyp...The idea of it having a built in wireless phone charger will be great for my desk.
wr3zzz - Friday, March 9, 2018 - link
Why is it so hard for USB/TB docks to work with all the brands? Aren't USB/TB industry standards?HStewart - Friday, March 9, 2018 - link
I think at least for USB-C there is multiple manufactures that make the components are implemented in different ways. Part of this is because standard is possible too open and cheap manufactures make components especially cables. But at least with Thunderbolt - it at least started out restricted in development. Also that supports multiple platforms (not referring to Intel vs AMD but x86 vs ARM ) add to the complexities of the components.jabber - Sunday, March 11, 2018 - link
It's always been the case, mainly with USB and power. I can remember back in the USB2.0 days hunting for specific NEC USB chipsets because the very common VIA USB cards would not supply enough voltage to run the very popular at the time USB ADSL modems.wolrah - Tuesday, March 13, 2018 - link
@jabber that sounds like one of those devices was out of spec. A USB 1.0 or 2.0 port delivers a maximum of 5 volts at 500 milliamps, or 2.5 watts. If the VIA chipset couldn't deliver that, it was broken. If the DSL modems wanted more than that, they were broken.Not until modern days with USB-PD is there legitimate space in the spec for two devices to be entirely compliant but incompatible based on power output.
I'd lean towards the DSL modems pulling more power than they should have, but that's just a kneejerk reaction because every experience I've ever had with DSL has been bad.