Article Number: 000124295
Guide to Dell Docking Stations
Summary: Learn about Dell docking stations. Find information about different types of docking stations, features and learn how to find a compatible docking station for your Dell laptop.
Article Content
Symptoms
A docking station or port replicator provides a way to plug your laptop to external devices like mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitor, Ethernet. Using a docking station that is connected to external devices helps gain the benefits of a desktop computer without sacrificing the portability of a laptop.
Cause
Types of Dell Docking Stations
Docking stations work with specific ports - a proprietary dock connector (Dell E/Port), USB 3.0, USB Type-C, or Thunderbolt 3 and so on. The following table can help identify a Dell docking station that is compatible with your computer:
| Docking station type | Model numbers | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dell E/Port docking station |
|
Proprietary docking solution for Dell Latitude and Dell Precision E-series. Dell docking stations provide efficient connectivity to all desktop peripherals and devices with a simple click into the dock. |
| Dell universal USB docking station | Universal docking stations work with DisplayLink technology that enables docking features over USB. The universal docking solution enables multiple monitors, audio, Ethernet, and other USB devices to be connected to laptops through USB. Works best with USB 3.0 ports on the laptop. |
|
| Dell USB Type-C docking station | USB Type-C docking station links all external devices to the laptop using a single USB Type-C cable. Extend the traditional USB capabilities with native multi-display video, audio, data, and power delivery (on select Dell laptops) to charge the laptop with a single USB Type-C cable. The reversible connector is convenient to use USB Type-C, with no wrong orientation.
Note: USB Type-C docking stations work with a USB Type-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB Type-C or Thunderbolt 3 protocol. To learn how to identify if the laptop supports DisplayPort over USB Type-C or Thunderbolt 3, see the faq section.
|
|
| Dell Thunderbolt™ docking station | Thunderbolt 3 docking stations link all external devices to the laptop using a single USB Type-C cable. Extend the traditional USB capabilities with native multi-display video, audio, data, and power delivery (on select Dell laptops) to charge the laptop with a single USB Type-C cable. The reversible connector is convenient to use USB Type-C, with no wrong orientation.
Note: Thunderbolt 3 docking stations work with a USB Type-C port that supports Thunderbolt 3 protocol. To learn how to identify if the laptop supports Thunderbolt 3, see the faq section.
|
|
| Dell wireless docking station | Dell wireless docking stations work with Intel WiGig 1.1 or 2.0 cards. While D5000 docking station works with Intel WiGig 1.1, WLD15 docking station requires an Intel WiGig 2.0 card. | |
| Dell rugged docking station | Dell rugged docking stations are designed to be used specifically on select Dell Latitude rugged series laptops only. | |
| Dell tablet or slate dock | Dell tablet or slate docks are designed for specific Dell tablets or slate devices. |
Resolution
Frequently asked questions
Docking stations come with different types of docking interface. It is important to identify if the type of docking interface that is available on the computer. Below are the different types of docking interfaces on Dell laptops.
- Dell E-port or D-port - Proprietary docking solution for Dell Latitude and Dell Precision E-series. Dell docking stations provide efficient connectivity to all desktop peripherals and devices with a simple click into the dock. Available mostly on Dell Latitude laptops and certain Precision mobile workstations.
- Thunderbolt 3 - Thunderbolt 3 docking stations link all external devices to the laptop using a single USB Type-C cable. Extend the traditional USB capabilities with native multi-display video, audio, data, and power delivery (on select Dell laptops) to charge the laptop with a single USB Type-C cable. The reversible connector is convenient to use USB Type-C, with no wrong orientation.
- DisplayPort over USB Type-C - USB Type-C docking station links all external devices to the laptop using a single USB Type-C cable. Extend the traditional USB capabilities with native multi-display video, audio, data, and power delivery (on select Dell laptops) to charge the laptop with a single USB Type-C cable. The reversible connector is convenient to use USB Type-C, with no wrong orientation.
- USB 3.0 - Universal docking stations work with DisplayLink technology that enables docking features over USB. The universal docking solution enables multiple monitors, audio, Ethernet, and other USB devices to be connected to laptops through USB. Works best with USB 3.0 ports on the laptop.
To learn about Dell docking stations based on the docking interface, see Types of Dell Docking Stations section of this Dell knowledgebase article.
Look for the Thunderbolt icon next to the USB Type-C port to identify if the laptop is equipped with a Thunderbolt 3 port.
To learn more about Thunderbolt 3, see the Dell knowledgebase article Guide to Thunderbolt over USB Type-C
Look for the DisplayPort icon next to the USB Type-C port to identify if the laptop is equipped with a USB Type-C port that supports DisplayPort alternate mode.
To learn more about DisplayPort, see the Dell knowledgebase article Guide to DisplayPort over USB Type-C
Universal docking station
Universal docking stations work with DisplayLink technology that enables docking features over USB. The universal docking solution enables multiple monitors, audio, Ethernet, and other USB devices to be connected to laptops through USB. Works best with USB 3.0 ports on the laptop.
USB Type-C docking station
USB Type-C docking stations like Dell Docking Station WD19 or WD15 are designed to work with laptops that have a USB Type-C port with DisplayPort alternate mode enabled. Look for the DisplayPort icon on the USB Type-C port to identify if the laptop is equipped with a USB Type-C port with DisplayPort alternate mode.
To learn more about DisplayPort over USB Type-C, see the Dell knowledgebase article Guide to DisplayPort over USB Type-C
Thunderbolt docking station
Thunderbolt docking stations like Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB16, TB18DC, WD19TB/WD19TBS are designed to work with laptops that have a Thunderbolt 3 port. Thunderbolt 3 defines a superset of capabilities that runs on a USB Type-C connector and cable. In brief, Thunderbolt 3 brings Thunderbolt technology to USB Type-C.
To learn more about Thunderbolt 3, see the Dell knowledgebase article Guide to Thunderbolt over USB Type-C
- At 40 Gbps, Thunderbolt 3 is the fastest connection available. By comparison, native USB 3.1 operates at 10 Gbps.
- Thunderbolt 3 is bi-directional with four lanes of PCI Express Gen 3 and eight lanes of DisplayPort 1.2.
- Now with a Thunderbolt 3 port, you can connect to any dock, device, or display, including billions of USB devices.
USB Type-C docking station
USB Type-C docking stations like Dell Docking Station WD19/WD19S or WD15 are designed to work with laptops that have a USB Type-C port with DisplayPort alternate mode enabled. Look for the DisplayPort icon on the USB Type-C port to identify if the laptop is equipped with a USB Type-C port with DisplayPort alternate mode.
To learn more about DisplayPort over USB Type-C, see the Dell knowledgebase article Guide to DisplayPort over USB Type-C
You can connect/dock or disconnect/undock a laptop without first powering off the laptop or even logging out of Windows. This method is known as hot docking. There is no need to create docked or undocked profiles on the laptop. When a laptop is connected to the docking station, the operating system recognizes the connected devices and adjusts.
Dell recommends using the highest-quality USB Type-C cable that was shipped with the docking station. These cables can deliver power while maintaining optimum signal quality for USB data and video. Some third-party USB Type-C cables are found to have quality issues, which may affect the performance.
Out of warranty? No problem, click the following link, enter your Service Tag and view our offers.
Article Properties
Product
Dell Performance Dock – WD19DCS, Dell Dock – WD19S, Dell Thunderbolt Dock – WD19TBS
Last Published Date
03 Feb 2021
Version
5
Article Type
Solution