Precision 3551, charging, using DisplayPort with Thunderbolt 3 USB Type-C

Question

I am considering getting a monitor for my just purchased Precision 3551 workstation.  As best as I can determine, none of the Dell USB Type-C monitors have power supplies sufficient to charge the Precision 3551 via the Thunderbolt 3 USB Type-C port. The only way to transmit DisplayPort protocols from the Precision 3551 is via the USB Type-C cable. But the AC adapter provided with the Precision 3551 also connects via the TB3/USB Type-C port. Does this mean that if I want to use DisplayPort protocols to transmit to monitors I must acquire a separate 7mm round barrel AC adapter to power the Precision 3551? Because the TB3/USB Type-C port will be occupied providing the display data feed? I don't understand why Dell would make the default charging port for Precision 3551 be the USB Type-C port (even though it has a 7mm charging port) and thus effectively eliminate using that port with their entire family of USB Type-C monitors?  I suppose it drives Thunderbolt docking station sales to overcome this dilemma. I'd appreciate any recommendations from Precision users that have addressed this issue without a docking station.

DELL-Cares · Accepted Answer

Thank you! We have received the required details. We will work the issue. You may also receive assistance or suggestions from the community members.

We can see in the online Precision 3551 Setup and Specifications Guide page 5 that a separate 7mm round barrel AC adapter is used to power the laptop.

Precision Mobile Workstations

Was this post helpful?