Safe docking station for XPS 13 9380?

Question

My home computer is a Dell XPS 13 9380 , and my work computer is a Lenovo ThinkPad. I was using the Lenovo docking station with my Dell laptop (a USB C / Thunderbolt port), and the USB ports burned out. They are welded to the motherboard and so Dell had to replace the motherboard itself - expensive!

I do not know for certain that the docking station was the cause, but I am nervous about using it again. I don't know much about USB C / Thunderbird charging.

Does anybody have advice how I can know what docking stations are going to be OK?

jphughan · Accepted Answer

@Tom Stephen Sorry to hear about this experience, but you absolutely do NOT need to limit your search to docks that only supply 45W. The XPS 13 is indeed designed for a 45W source, but Dell's own current docks are designed to be able to supply 60-210W, depending on the model. And that's fine because the industry standard USB Power Delivery specification is designed to deal with this. Very basically, the way it works is that a USB PD source advertises the voltage levels it supports and the max amperage levels of each. And then if the attached device wants power, it's allowed to choose from among those offered options. This prevents the source from sending a voltage level that the attached device can't support, and it also prevents the attached device from trying to draw more amperage than the source is designed to provide. (Voltage is controlled by source, amperage is controlled by device receiving power.) So I'm not sure what happened in your case, but I doubt it was the dock.

In terms of dock options, Dell and Lenovo both have a solid range of docks depending on whether you need Thunderbolt for the peripherals you're running or can get by with just regular USB-C. If you don't have any actual Thunderbolt peripherals, the deciding factor will be the external display setup you've got. The other thing to consider is that the Power button built into the dock will only work with systems made by that brand, i.e. the Lenovo dock's button can be used to control Lenovo systems, but not Dell systems. And vice versa. There's currently no industry standard for an external power button. So if price, capabilities, and port selection is equivalent between the Dell and Lenovo docks you're looking at, you might want to decide based on which laptop you expect to have attached more often. The ability to power up a system from the dock while the lid is closed is a nice perk.

But if it reassures you, my wife and I each have a Dell system and a Lenovo system (one each for work and personal), and we each have desks at home. I have a Lenovo dock, and she has a Dell dock. All four of our laptops work just fine with both docks. The system models we have are designed for 45-90W inputs, and the docks are designed to provide 65-130W over the USB-C/TB3 cable.

Tom Stephen · Answer

(Sorry: Prajwal, not Prajal)

Tom Stephen · Answer

I got a helpful reply from Prajal of Dell Tech Support in a private message, but cannot see how to reply to that. So @Prajal - I am replying here instead. Prajal said that the XPS can handle only up to 45W of power from a charging source. Here is my reply. Hi Prajwal, Having the 45W number is a big help! Thank you for that - it provides something I can check. My existing docking station is a Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbird 3 dock. model number DBB9003L1 ant 'TYPE: 40AC'. It looks very much like this one: https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/acc100356-thinkpad-thunderbolt-3-dock-overview-and-service-parts.

jphughan · Answer

@Tom Stephen  Related to my above reply, this also means it's perfectly fine to connect the XPS 13 to a USB-C wall charger that is capable of providing more power than that.  I have mostly 90W USB-C power sources simply to maximize compatibility, and there's absolutely no problem using them to charge laptops designed for less power than that, or even smartphones designed for a LOT less power than that.  And in Dell's case, this was true even before USB-C charging.  Dell's 'traditional' AC adapters that use barrel connectors come with output capabilities of 45-350W.  But they're all designed for 19.5V, with the only difference being the maximum amperage they can provide.  Since amperage draw is controlled by the device being charged because it varies based on load, this means that it is absolutely fine to plug a 350W Dell charger into a system only designed for 65W, for example.  The laptop will only draw what it needs.

Tom Stephen · Answer

Thanks for this expert response @jphughan. As the USB ports got fried before I naturally wondered if it's the Lenovo docking station that caused it. I have a D-Link display port that I can use to hook up to a monitor as well, and I may use that plus the Dell charger to provide power, out of an abundance of caution, but I appreciate your response.

DELL-Cares · Answer

Hi,

Prajwal here from Dell community.

I'm following up with you to check if you have any other concerns that needs our attention.

Please get back to us with the status of the system so that we can take the case further.

Regards,

Prajwal

DELL-Cares · Answer

Hi,

Prajwal here from Dell community.

Unfortunately, we haven't received a response from your end.

We'll be archiving the case from our end.

Feel free to get in touch with us if you need any further assistance.

We'll be glad to assist you.

Regards,

Prajwal

Tom Stephen · Answer

I responded with the information and received helpful information, so I am happy with this exchange. Thanks.

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Safe docking station for XPS 13 9380?

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