XPS 15 9560 and TB16 Dock - still need power connection?

AFAIK the TB16/TB15/WD15 supply 100W via USB-C. While this is a bit less than 130W of the default AC charger, the 9550 seems to work fine with just the dock connected, and the 9560 is not likely to draw more power.

Be warned that Dell was doing pretty miserably with the TB15 dock for the XPS 15 9550 - unstable connection, devices not working or disconnecting periodically, inability to drive 4K displays at 60Hz due to overheating... Probably most of this to be blamed on Intel, because most other vendors also had issues or delayed their TB3 docks and are reaching the market very slowly. I hope the issues are mostly resolved by now with the TB16 (containing an extra fan) after about a year of woes, but I'd surely delay purchase until there are enough positive user reports. You can also check the competition, as TB3 docks are supposed to be cross-compatible, though I'm not aware of any which would supply 100W, and again make sure that the vendor lists the 9560 as compatible and that you see enough positive user reviews with the 9560.

Hi Brian,

Sorry to dredge this up three months later, but I just received my 9560 + TB16 combo, and when powered via the dock, the charge level slowly withers away to nothing. It claims "plugged in - charging" but it isn't. I found I have to have the 130W AC adapter plugged in as well.

I have the 240W TB16 so that should be enough... any thoughts? Does it make any difference that the dock has two P2715Q 4K monitors plugged into it...?

This must be a malfunction of dock charging. I'm writing this on a 9550 powered solely via the WD15.

When using an AC adapter it seems to have priority over USB-C PD. I've got a small 45W Dell AC adapter for travel with which the 9550 works with restricted performance. If I plug the 45W along with the WD15, the same restricted performance sets in.

> AFAIK the TB16/TB15/WD15 supply 100W via USB-C. While this is a bit less than 130W of the default AC charger,

USB-C PD standard defines max 100W, but the wattmeter indicates that the WD15 actually feeds 130W.

I have an XPS 15 9560 (2017) / 4K / 32GB / 1TB SSD, hooked up via the single cable to a 3GMVT / TB16 dock with 240W power supply. I have a single P2715Q monitor plugged into the dock as well.

The 240W power supply and the TB16 combo keeps the laptop 100% charged -- never drops below that when connected via the Thunderbolt cable.

Did you make sure to update to the latest BIOS (1.2.4)? Then there are a few files Dell recommends we install when using the TB16 with the XPS 15:

Intel(R) Thunderbolt(TM) Controller Driver View details

Chipset_Driver_J95RR_WN32_16.2.55.275_A01.EXE (67.16 MB)

Intel-HD-Graphics_DDP4T_WIN_21.20.16.4627_A03.EXE (255.63 MB)This file will automatically self-install after

Docks_Stands_Driver_CH1P1_WN32_1.16.41.3_A03_01.EXE (16.6 MB)This file will automatically self-install after

Audio_Driver_DTW9T_WN32_6.3.9600.50_A03.EXE (24.93 MB)This file will automatically self-install after downloading.