15 DC15250, dock, port replicator?

Question

Is there a docking station or port replicator compatible with my new Dell 15 DC15250?

ejn63 · Accepted Answer

The answer will depends on what you plan to connect to the dock and on the system configuration.

There are two different models - one with a plastic chassis and only USB-C data port (i.e., no video out over USB) and the other with an aluminum chassis that has a video-capable USB-C port. There is no Thunderbolt support on this model.

If you plan to use video out and have the aluminum chassis, a USB-C or Thunderbolt dock will work.

If you plan to use video out on the plastic chassis model, you will need a dock that supports Displaylink (a driver based solution that allows video out over non-video USB port).

vinci601 · Answer

@ejn63​ , thanks for the quick response. I have the aluminum chassis, so a USB-C dock should work (the 6-in-1 DA305 will suffice for my needs).

pwils025 · Answer

@ejn63​, does DisplayLink allow for Extended monitor view?  I have the plastic chassis and want to add 2 external monitors in Extended view.Thanks.

ejn63 · Answer

It does, but be reasonable in your choice of monitors -- you don't want two high resolution extended monitors on a system with a very limited GPU.

pwils025 · Answer

@ejn63

Thanks for the quick response. I was able to do more research and find out that in fact a DisplayLink hub would allow for Extended view. I decided to return my plastic chassis (black color) and purchase the Platinum Silver (Aluminum) chassis. It comes with faster ram and no touch screen.

DubbsAU · Answer

I must say I was issued this laptop by my company, so I had no choice in the laptop decison. I have always used dual head displays. It was incredibly difficult to work out why I couldn't get dual monitors to work. Dell documentation on this is also poor. (I guess when you go cheap on your customers you don't publicize it eh!. )

I just assumed that Dell quality would have had standard display functionality with usb-c. To the product manager that saved 10 cents. "This will definitely influence my brand choice in future"

ejn63 · Answer

How will it affect a product you don't choose, though? And if anyone is responsible, its whoever chose the cheapest system possible without investigating the fact that the feature set matches the price.

You don't buy a $500 washing machine expecting a huge capacity, multiple cycles, steam, and WiFi. You don't buy a bottom-line notebook expecting a full feature set, either.

Finnibone · Answer

Is my new Dell 15 DC15250 compatible with my WD19S docking station?

ejn63 · Answer

It depends on the system you have. This model is available in two distinct versions -- the entry one starts under $400 and is far more limited than the higher line one that's priced twice that or nearly so.

If you have the latter (which has a metal casing), it should be fine with that docking station (including video out).

If you the former (plastic casing) it will work with that dock except for the ability to drive an external monitor through the dock.

Finnibone · Answer

@ejn63​ Thank you so much for your quick response. The laptop indeed has a plastic casing but the cost was about $1200, so I'm still not sure if it is compatible.

ejn63 · Answer

The plastic model cannot output video other than directly through HDMI (it does not support video over USB, which is why you can't use an external monitor over a docking connection). And the HDMI is only capable of FHD (1024X768).

The other thing the plastic chassis model cannot do is charge over USB-C -- it can only be charged through the Dell round barrel connector.

I'm surprised at that price for the plastic model -- Dell shows these starting at $379. Only the metal ones are $800+ That's assuming US dollars.

Finnibone · Answer

@ejn63​ Thanks again for your help, I am in Canada and our dollar does stink (against the USD) but not quite that bad :)

DubbsAU · Answer

@ejn63 I sort of agree with your response.

I didn't have a choice, however. There were two decisions that affected me:

First, Dell, by making this decision, has in my view lowered their standards - decent ports should meet a minimum standard. It cost me hours researching the issue as I expected that minimum standard, and I haven't experienced anything like this with other brands like Microsoft.

Second, the person in my organization who chose the cheaper model has cost me both time and money. I hope Dell gets the message: just increase the price and set a minimum standard.

In conclusion, after having probably 20+ Dell laptops over my career, I am really disappointed with the brand.

DubbsAU · Answer

@ejn63​ I have a Comsol USB 3.0 to Dual Display HDMI Adaptor.  It works ok. Don't have massive processing requirements all I use is Teams Word Excel and various platforms. I had to get a powered USB 3.0 Hub for Camera, Mouse/Keyboard. It works just fine. Resolution 1920 X 1080. At the cost of this laptop you couldn't expect much more. For those considering buying this hardware don't if you want to have dual monitors. Spend the extra on a better model, the extra cost and time I spent to fix this issue would have been better spent on a better laptop.

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15 DC15250, dock, port replicator?

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