Dell USB-C and Thunderbolt Docks

I thought these might deserve their own thread to keep the laptop posts separate from the dock related posts...

I just ordered my WD15 (the non thunderbolt version) today! I liked the smaller form factor and smaller price. Plus I don't expect to connect to gigantic resolution screens.

FYI, they have a 30% off coupon they are still advertising on their website that is expired. After doing the online chat, they offered to call me, and give me the $200 dock for $140. There are stackable 10% off coupons too if you'd rather do it online. (Extra10/gain10) I had a $150 off coupon that I used instead, plus my dell advantage rewards gift card, so I got my dock for free

One thing I'm curious about is whether these docks will be compatible with usb-c macbooks like the new 12" one. My wife prefers apple laptops.

 

I just received my WD15 dock in the mail and hooked it up last night. I have the 4 newest drivers from Dell's website, but not the ASMedia driver. (I don't see the the ASMedia usb controller hardware ID come up when I plug in my dock, and when I try to install it, it says there is no hardware to support it.)

Overall, the dock works well for my purposes. There are some good things and not so good things, but no deal breakers... yet.
My observations so far:
- Both the HDMI and mDP display perfectly on my 2560x1080 screen. I am encountering a minor issue where the mismatched DPI on the laptop vs the screen means I have to log out every time I disconnect, if I want the DPI in some apps (particularly, Chrome) to change back.
- The HDMI audio works well to my screen. The mDP audio crackles when it is working, and then would occasionally just stop working immediately. I'm ok with sticking to HDMI for my screen, but I could see how this could be really bad for someone using mDP only.
- I plugged in a logitech unifying receiver into one of the 2.0 ports, and my mouse and keyboard work perfectly without lag
- Plugged in a USB drive, and it works without issue accessing those files
- The front 3.5mm audio for headphones doesn't work at all... not sure how to fix that one.
- The ethernet connects to my computer instantly. The download speeds I got were upwards of 120 mbps compared to the 60 I was getting over Wifi. However, each time the upload test ran, about 3/4 of the way through, I would hear the device disconnect sound, and it would slow down to a standstill. Otherwise, ethernet seemed stable after the test. If I stopped the speedtest, and restart, it would still work as well as before on download, but do the same thing over again on upload.
- The USB-C Cable is a little less than a meter in length. Good enough for looping around to the back of my laptop that sits to the left of the screen and plugging in.
- Charging works as expected from the cable.
- The powerbrick for the 180W version is huge and heavy. Not a big issue as it sits behind my desk, but it is heavier than the dock itself!
-The dock is a nice small form factor.

 

I have the WD15 as well. I don't own a 4K display - figure once I do I can use the dock as an alternate desktop setup in another room (for playing PC games on a big screen).

I haven't fully tested my unit, just HDMI out and the USB ports. No issues so far. Haven't tested audio out.

The only big nuisance is the fact using any USB-C accessory, including this dock, spurs the internal fans to run at a higher than average speed. In a louder room, it's not big deal, but in a quiet office or bedroom it's quite audible. This isn't just because the dock is charging - I've fully tested and can recreate this issue on a whim with any USB-C/TB3 accessory. Hopefully with more folks getting a dock this complaint will get a little louder. I'm about 99% certain it's a BIOS level, or firmware level problem - there's no need for the fans to spin at this rate that I'm aware of monitoring all internal temperatures in HWInfo64.

One interesting thing - when the device is closed and asleep, plugging in the dock causes the unit to turn on. So those hoping for clamshell operation are in luck. This could set up some interesting docked desktop operation for those who would prefer to tuck the laptop out of site. Too bad the cord isn't longer as this would mean I could tuck the laptop out of site for quieter operation.

 

I'm on an XPS 15 9350, Bios 1.1.7, and I can't hear the fan spin at all using the WD15. I also bought a separate dell USB-C to HDMI adapter, and didn't notice the fan either. I wonder what the difference is.

In other news, I updated to the newest thunderbolt firmware, and now the 3.5mm jacks are working well.

I also like that the dock has a little on/off button if your computer is plugged in but asleep.

Overall I'm very pleased!

 

Did you mean XPS 15 9550? Or do you have last year's model?

Frustrating if your USB-C port doesn't cause fan-ramps. This means that many of us might just have a faulty chip in some way.

I didn't notice a power button on the WD15 - am I blind?

 

Oops, meant to say xps 13 9350... Edited above.

I'm afraid you might need to get your eyes checked... The button is on the top of the unit, in the lower right hand corner (assuming the side with the power light is facing towards you).

 

Well I'm not at home right now - so couldn't look right at it. Was trying to go from memory.

So I guess all along Dell intends this to be like any regular dock of old. You can operate in clamshell, and use that external power button to turn the unit on from sleep or even fully off? I guess you could use it to put it to sleep or shut it off as well?

I wonder if I could find an extension cable for USB-C. If I can put the XPS15 further away from my desktop the annoying fan ramps would bother me less! Plus it would be nice for gaming as well since it gets loud regardless during games.

I wonder if the XPS13 has a later firmware for the TB3 port in place? What's your TB3 firmware/software version numbers look like. I think you can pull that up by looking at the TB software in the taskbar and right clicking?

 

FYI, I have just taken delivery of WD15 with 180w power supply
Connected to XPS 15 9550.
Worked perfectly out of the box.
9550 was up to date with all updates, so that probably helped.

Currently have the following connected

• Samsung 32" 2560x1440 monitor - via HMDI (USB 3.0 for built in hub, though nothing connected to that)
  
• WD Ultra 2gb USB drive - via USB 3.0
• Microsoft Sculpt Keyboard and mouse - via USB 2.0
• Gigabit ethernet
• Bose Companion speakers
• 180w power supply (which has a non-standard connector)

So far, the fans seem to be working at a higher level than normal, as others mentioned - but nothing obtrusive. Will monitor. (closing the lid on the laptop makes it a lot quiter)
Nice to have all now connected via a single cable to laptop.
Got it at a really good price from PCBuyIT via Amazon

(update: fans quiet this morning)

 

Spoke too soon
Today, every 30 minutues or so I get erratic mouse/keyboard behavior, followed by a blue screen
DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (wdf01000.sys) or (USBXHCI.SYS).

I checked through the list of updates that dell suggests on http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/p/19677048/20902008?rfsh=1461160255355 and it seems I already have these updates.
I tried installing them again, and it came up asking me if I wanted to repair (as it already had the version installed)

As it was the mouse/keyboard that seemed to be the first sign of the problem I have moved that back to one of the USB ports on the laptop. I will see how long it lasts with this

Update: It was definitely the mouse/keyboard dongle. Since moving that out of the dock I have had no issues. I then remembered I had the same issue with this dongle when I used it previously in a USB hub.

 

I've been using the TB15 with my XPS15 9550 (latest bios, drivers) for 3 months now, and while it works better than when I first received it, it still has problems. Ports I'm using on the TB15 - USB3, Display port, mini display port, Ethernet, speaker out.

I cannot use both Display port and mini display port at the same time, the TB15 gets hot and the Display port shuts down after only 30 minutes. As a work around I'm using vga dsub to drive the second external monitor, not optimal but works all day. I think this is a hardware problem and will probably request an exchange, anyone else able to drive two external monitors via DP/mDP without issue?

Ethernet still drops on a regular basis, and when it occurs I have to reboot multiple times to get the Realtek USB GbE controller to recover. I have found that if I turn off wifi and restart the pc prior to attaching the dock, it works better - I went three days without losing Ethernet until this morning. I use the laptop connected to the dock during the day, and wireless at night. What I want is to be able to put the laptop to sleep between uses and have it seamlessly switch between Ethernet/wireless without having to worry that I'll lose the GbE driver or have a blue screen. Currently this is not possible.

Still lose the USB drive attached to the TB15 once in a while, reboot fixes this.

One more note - purchased a 1m USB-C extension cable to allow better positioning of the TB15. It does not work with the TB15, laptop does not recognize a thunderbolt device plugged in, but it does work with the DA-200 to drive an external monitor and Ethernet.

btw, this is my second TB15, the first one had hardware problems with the speaker out - it would work for ~30 minutes then output loud static. Dell sent a new replacement, which is the one I'm using now.

 

Even worse here, TB15 exchanged, motherboard replaced, still completely unusabe, Displayport off after minutes. DA200 is unusable, too. Only working adapter so far is a cheap Aukey VGA from amazon.

 

I think Dell's USB-C implementation is problematic. I have exactly the same symptom except I am using CableMatters USB-C hub. From VGA, HDMI, USB to Ethernet, exactly the same symptom. I am considering of returning it. I think it is not just TB15. To use the Ethernet port of my CableMatters, I have to turn off Wifi otherwise it will be connected but not able to talk to Gateway(router) unless I restart the computer with Wifi turned off. So much trouble!

 

Does sound like a hardware issue since you have all drivers and bios updated. One question on the internet issue though. Are the Ethernet and WiFi the same network, I.E. have the same DHCP server? And have you installed the MAC pass through driver/software? Wondering if its an IP address issue and figured I'd suggest in case you haven't explored that yet.
FYI, USB-C extension cable are not allowed per the official USB specifications (really no USB-C female ends on cables are). This doesn't indicate whether or not it will work in isolation, but I would suppose if a company violates that part of the spec, it could (possibly) mean they are willing to ignore other specs leading to a poor performing cable.
And the TB15 will not work with many USB-C cables, regardless if they are per spec, extension cables, or otherwise. It requires the full Thunderbolt 3 connection (40 gbps, PCIe, etc.), which is only possible with an active Thunderbolt 3 cable. Passive USB-C cables will work but only to 20 gbps and without all Thunderbolt features.
https://thunderbolttechnology.net/sites/default/files/IDFSF15_HSTS004_100a_1.pdf