@jenny5 The only docks that connect to the underside connector are Dell's E-Port docks, and their design was never changed to address the gap issue that occurs when docking newer systems that have their underside connector at the edge of the system rather than closer to the middle. I suspect the reason is because not long after such systems were introduced, dockable systems transitioned to USB-C/TB3 instead, so it was probably just too late in the E-Port dock's lifecycle to justify a redesign. And an E-Port dock design that removed the gap with such systems would probably be completely incompatible with the older style systems, which would complicate matters for businesses that buy and stock docks by the dozens or hundreds.
So if you don't have a Thunderbolt 3 port, your only option is a gapped E-Port dock. If you DO have a Thunderbolt 3 port, look at the Dell WD19TB.
@jenny5 The underside docks would be Dell's E-Port docks, which are the E-Port, E-Port Plus, E-Port II, and E-Port II Plus. The second-generation docks upgraded the two USB ports at the rear to 3.0 instead of 2.0 and added support for DisplayPort 1.2 rather than 1.1 in order to run higher-end display setups and/or daisy chains. The difference between the E-Port and E-Port Plus models is that the latter has some legacy ports and can also run two digital displays (any combination of 2x DVI and 2x DisplayPort), whereas the E-Port can only run 1 digital display plus I believe a VGA display. The gap issue does exist, and was sort of worked around by Dell including a "spacer". It's a bit of plastic that covers the gap and makes it a bit easier to align the system with the docking connector, but it still causes your system to stick out more. It's not a functional part, though, so if you have an E-Port dock that's missing it, you'd still be able to use the system.
According to the Precision 3510 Owner's Manual on support.dell.com, it has an optional Thunderbolt 3 port. If you have that port, that would open up dock options like the Dell WD19TB. That dock attaches via a cable as opposed to the system physically "docking" to the docking station, so you get a bit more placement flexibility in terms of how you arrange your desk. For example, you might want to keep your dock at the rear of your desk and aligned parallel to the desk edge, while pulling your laptop farther forward on the desk and angling it toward you if it's off-center. This would be harder to do with an E-Port dock.
Note also that depending on the types of peripherals you want to use, one dock may be a better choice than the other. If you want to use any Thunderbolt peripherals through a dock, you'd need the WD19TB. And I'm not sure what the highest-end possible display setup is through an E-Port dock when paired with that particular system. It would be either dual 4K 60 Hz or dual 4K 30 Hz (or 1440p 60 Hz), depending on which GPU controls the outputs wired to the docking connector. With the WD19TB you'd definitely be able to run dual 4K 60 Hz or triple 1440p 60 Hz.
well... does the older Pro1z dock also work with this, because the voltage and amps are exactly the same too? it says under that dock that its for use with pa10/13 adapter, but if those have the same exact power specs, then any other/newer adapter should work too? or is the number of pins not the same or smth...
@jenny5 It sounds like you’re referring to the older E-Port docks. They’re supposed to be used with at least a 130W adapter, which I think is sufficient for that system. But they were sometimes used with higher wattage adapters because the docks could also be used with laptops that required more power. Any Dell 130W adapter that has the standard 7.4 mm barrel tip connector (not the 4.5 mm slim tip) should be fine, since as you say, Dell has kept their voltage consistent at 19.5 V for their barrel tip adapters.
@jenny5 I’m not sure what connector you’re talking about there, but if you’re referring to the system connector on the dock and the docking connector on the underside of the system, they fit.
jphughan
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October 13th, 2020 13:00
@jenny5 The only docks that connect to the underside connector are Dell's E-Port docks, and their design was never changed to address the gap issue that occurs when docking newer systems that have their underside connector at the edge of the system rather than closer to the middle. I suspect the reason is because not long after such systems were introduced, dockable systems transitioned to USB-C/TB3 instead, so it was probably just too late in the E-Port dock's lifecycle to justify a redesign. And an E-Port dock design that removed the gap with such systems would probably be completely incompatible with the older style systems, which would complicate matters for businesses that buy and stock docks by the dozens or hundreds.
So if you don't have a Thunderbolt 3 port, your only option is a gapped E-Port dock. If you DO have a Thunderbolt 3 port, look at the Dell WD19TB.
jphughan
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October 13th, 2020 09:00
@jenny5 The underside docks would be Dell's E-Port docks, which are the E-Port, E-Port Plus, E-Port II, and E-Port II Plus. The second-generation docks upgraded the two USB ports at the rear to 3.0 instead of 2.0 and added support for DisplayPort 1.2 rather than 1.1 in order to run higher-end display setups and/or daisy chains. The difference between the E-Port and E-Port Plus models is that the latter has some legacy ports and can also run two digital displays (any combination of 2x DVI and 2x DisplayPort), whereas the E-Port can only run 1 digital display plus I believe a VGA display. The gap issue does exist, and was sort of worked around by Dell including a "spacer". It's a bit of plastic that covers the gap and makes it a bit easier to align the system with the docking connector, but it still causes your system to stick out more. It's not a functional part, though, so if you have an E-Port dock that's missing it, you'd still be able to use the system.
According to the Precision 3510 Owner's Manual on support.dell.com, it has an optional Thunderbolt 3 port. If you have that port, that would open up dock options like the Dell WD19TB. That dock attaches via a cable as opposed to the system physically "docking" to the docking station, so you get a bit more placement flexibility in terms of how you arrange your desk. For example, you might want to keep your dock at the rear of your desk and aligned parallel to the desk edge, while pulling your laptop farther forward on the desk and angling it toward you if it's off-center. This would be harder to do with an E-Port dock.
Note also that depending on the types of peripherals you want to use, one dock may be a better choice than the other. If you want to use any Thunderbolt peripherals through a dock, you'd need the WD19TB. And I'm not sure what the highest-end possible display setup is through an E-Port dock when paired with that particular system. It would be either dual 4K 60 Hz or dual 4K 30 Hz (or 1440p 60 Hz), depending on which GPU controls the outputs wired to the docking connector. With the WD19TB you'd definitely be able to run dual 4K 60 Hz or triple 1440p 60 Hz.
jenny5
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October 13th, 2020 11:00
jenny5
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December 5th, 2021 14:00
well... does the older Pro1z dock also work with this, because the voltage and amps are exactly the same too? it says under that dock that its for use with pa10/13 adapter, but if those have the same exact power specs, then any other/newer adapter should work too? or is the number of pins not the same or smth...
jphughan
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December 5th, 2021 18:00
@jenny5 It sounds like you’re referring to the older E-Port docks. They’re supposed to be used with at least a 130W adapter, which I think is sufficient for that system. But they were sometimes used with higher wattage adapters because the docks could also be used with laptops that required more power. Any Dell 130W adapter that has the standard 7.4 mm barrel tip connector (not the 4.5 mm slim tip) should be fine, since as you say, Dell has kept their voltage consistent at 19.5 V for their barrel tip adapters.
jenny5
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December 5th, 2021 21:00
ok, but it maybe looks like the pin layouts are both like female, so they probably wont actually fit.. (pro1x)
jphughan
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December 6th, 2021 05:00
@jenny5 I’m not sure what connector you’re talking about there, but if you’re referring to the system connector on the dock and the docking connector on the underside of the system, they fit.