Questions on new WD22TB4 Module and WD19TB Dock

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DELL-Cares, can you please tell if an upgraded WD19TB with WD22TB4 module will have the identical to new WD22TB4 dock features: USB 3.2, maximum number of connected monitors and the way they can be connected?

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Hi, We haven't heard from you. I'm Sushmitha , the case owner for this case. Please drop us a message so that we can help you further

@rootee  I can’t speak from direct personal experience here, but I would expect that a WE22TB4 module added to any WD19 dock model (not just a TB/TBS) that had at least a 180W power supply would perform exactly like a brand new WD22TB4. As you say, Dell’s documentation indicates that this upgrade is possible (see this article), and I think it would be very confusing if there were differences between a “new WD22TB4” and an “upgraded WD22TB4”. It would be even MORE confusing if this difference existed even though there is nothing in the User Guide indicating any such differences between those two setups. So again, I can’t speak from experience, but if I had a WD19 dock family model and needed WD22TB4 capabilities, I would purchase the upgrade module fully expecting it to work as the documentation suggests.

@rootee  The headphone jack is a difference between the models that end in S (no jack) and the ones that don’t. The latter came first (like the WD19, WD19TB, WD19DC) but somehow the semiconductor shortage created a problem for Dell getting those jacks or maybe the audio chipsets that ran them. So Dell introduced the S models (WD19S, TBS, DCS) that didn’t include that feature in order to continue producing docks. But since the jack doesn’t live on the sealable module, that could indeed be one difference, if that matters to you. But I guess for the WD22 they dropped the jack and also dropped the S on the model. That is a bit confusing.

I would never expect Dell Support to give reliably correct answers about technical questions like this. Real-world experience is the best source of information here IMHO.

@jphughan:

The referenced wd22tb4 manual indicates that you can indeed upgrade the wd19tb dock with the wd22tb module, but it says nothing about any spec/technical differences btwn either a (wd19tb + wd22tb4 module) and the standalone (and expensive, $469) wd22tb4 docking station.  Are there any technical or specification differences between an upgraded wd19* and the standalone wd22tb4?

The only difference I can make out is the obvious one of no audio/mic 3.5mm jack on the standalone wd22tb4 (or wd19tbs), versus a wd19tb + wd22tb4 module.

Documentation always seems to be an issue with Dell stuff (in general across the industry, as well).  I just got off a Dell support chat, and they had no idea what I was asking.  I suppose I'll just have to buy/try and see.  Thanks @jphughan, your posts on the wd19tb hbr2/hbr3 configurations was super informative, so I thought I'd ask you about this too.

What you say does make sense, the HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.4 versions remained the same, USB 3.2 basically renamed USB 3.1 with the same speed. However I noticed on a disassembly video that 99% of the componects are located in the main module (https://youtu.be/j918K3wlrm4, https://youtu.be/iOi1rm5RkUM), including all the controllers. PCB or controllers may have been changed but the overall specs remained the same.

So the upgrade will most likely bring only one extra thunderbolt port at $150, which could be useful for external monitors. In both docks TB3 and TB4 have the same maximum speed of 40Gbps.

Btw, Dell-Cares did not respond to my private message with the question about it. 

@DmitryP​ i got my update wd 22 tb4 module and it works great!  I like the fact that i get to keep my headset port.  if you get the new docking station, it does not have it.