Best dock for XPS 15 9575

Question

I am looking to get a dock for the XPS 15 9575 2-in-1 laptop.

The one I noticed and was looking like a contender is the WD19TB. But I see there are several other models which may or may not work too... like WD19TBS, WD19DC, or WD19DCS.

Which of these is better for my laptop? Or if they have strengths and weaknesses, it would be useful to know what these are, to help me pick based on my own priorities.

If any of these is not really suitable... or worse completely incompatible... it would be useful to know that too! (happy to narrow my list if needed!)

I'm happy to buy second hand off ebay, so it doesn't have to be a current model of dock.... just the one likely to be the most reliable and easy to use with this laptop.

Highest priorities in (most important first) are:

- consistent power delivery. (The warning messages about insuffient power are annoying!)

- simple & reliable operation. (The Kensington dock my colleague has is horrendous!)

- external monitor connection.

- variety of USB ports for accessories.

- wired ethernet

- sound output is maybe useful, but isn't a deal breaker.

Which of these have you used? and would recommend?

jphughan · Accepted Answer

@emardee The models ending in S are the same as their non-S predecessors except that the S models removed the 3.5 mm audio jack. The global semiconductor shortage was affecting production of that jack or the audio chipset that runs it, which prevented Dell from making docks. So they introduced new variants of their WD19 dock family models that didn’t include that jack to avoid a huge order backlog.

So your real choices are WD19(S), WD19TB(S), and WD19DC(S).

Forget the DC(S). That’s designed for Precision 7000 Series systems that require up to 210W of power. When connected to other systems it will function like a regular WD19(S), not even a WD19TB(S). So unless you have a Precision 7000 Series system you’ll also want to use with this dock, the DC(S) will just waste money.

That leaves the WD19(S) vs. TB(S). The difference is that the former is USB-C whereas the latter supports Thunderbolt. So when paired with your system, the former will run dual displays up to 1920x1200 each or a single display up to 2560x1440 (or 4K but only at 30 Hz). The latter will run dual displays up to 4K 60 Hz or triple displays up to 2560x1440 each. The latter can also allow you to connect a Thunderbolt peripheral to the dock, as long as you aren’t using that port for a display, which you may have to depending on your display setup based on how the dock allocates video bandwidth.

Finally, if you get the regular WD19(S), make sure you get the version that is 180W w/ 130W PD to the system, not the one that is 130W w/ 90W PD. Your system is designed for a 130W power source. The TB(S) only comes as 180W w/ 130W PD.

jphughan · Answer

@emardee By the way, if you want audio output but can't get your hands on a non-S dock, you can always get a basic USB audio adapter like this one and plug it into the dock.

emardee · Answer

Thanks. Confirms I want a WD19TB then ideally. Great detailed info on the different options, thanks!

emardee · Answer

Have been struggling to find the WD19TB for a good price (they've shot up to crazy prices in the last 2 months second hand). Have seen the older TB16 models for better prices... but would one of those older docks work OK with the XPS 15 9575?

jphughan · Answer

@emardee  Yes because the TB16 was Dell's current TB3 dock at the time the XPS 15 9575 was introduced, and the two were compatible, but the TB16 in general got far more than its fair share of complaints about stability and reliability, so I personally wouldn't recommend it.

jphughan · Answer

@emardee  You might also try looking for the WD19TBS.  It's identical to the TB except that it drops the headset connector because some aspect of the global semiconductor shortage affected production of that connector or the audio chipset that runs it, so Dell dropped it in order to be able to continue producing docks.

emardee · Answer

There appears to be quite a few K20A001 units being listed as WD19TB on ebay, but I suspect these are actually WD19 180W units being misadvertised. Can anyone confirm if K20A001 units are WD19 or WD19TB ?

emardee · Answer

Ah. Good to know! Was worried, as the label on the bottom of them don't list them as being WD19TB... just WD19. Same for Dell website eg this was the tag for one last week:

... which only lists it as WD19 (not WD19TB), but was advertised on ebay as WD19TB and K20A001.

What is the difference between K20A001 and 210-ARJD / 210-ARPM? Or are they just regional variations or different naming schemes for the same thing? Are all of those Regulatory models equally valid to hunt for? (I've seen them all for sale recently, albeit the price keep climbing higher and higher at the moment!)

XPS_Man · Answer

K20A001 are WD19TB Please do register the product and check it's warranty at support.dell.com  Most of these eBay docks are refurbished.

XPS_Man · Answer

yup they are regional product sub names (EU/AUS)  I am warning you again. In order to avoid future warranty issues please contact the seller on eBAY first

xxhiyanxx · Answer

for what its worth, i'm still using the TB16 that i got way back in 2018, and after they figured out the drivers, its been rock solid for me.

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Best dock for XPS 15 9575

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