Docking station for Inspiron 15 3530

These are the ports

• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 
• 1x USB 2.0 
• 1x SD Card Reader  
• 1x HDMI 1.4
• 1x Headset Jack

But the spec say USB- C data only. 

@ejn63​ 

These are the ports

• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C data only
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 
• 1x USB 2.0 
• 1x SD Card Reader  
• 1x HDMI 1.4
• 1x Headset Jack

@ejn63​ 

I added all specs below. One site says USB -C is data only the other does not. IDK. Thanks for all your help. 

Processor & Memory:​

• ​13th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1335U Processor
• 16GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM
  
   

Drives:

• 512GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 Solid State Drive
• No Optical Drive
  
   

Operating System:

• Microsoft® Windows 11 Home (64-bit)
  
   

Graphics & Video:

• 15.6" Touchscreen Anti-Glare LED Backlight WVA FHD (1920 x 1080) Display
• Integrated Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
  
   

Audio:

• MaxxAudio Pro with Stereo Speakers
  
   

Communications:

• Wi-Fi 6 (2x2/160) Gig+ and Bluetooth® 
• Integrated Widescreen FHD 1080p Webcam 
  
   

Keyboard:

• Standard Keyboard
  
   

Ports & Slots:

• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 
• 1x USB 2.0 
• 1x SD Card Reader  
• 1x HDMI 1.4
• 1x Headset Jack
  
   

Power Supply:

• 3-Cell 41WHr Battery

Don't expect to use a docking station for video output -- it sounds like your system doesn't have display over USB-C.

You can likely use an external displaylink adapter, but that's about it for external video.

That is Disappointing. Thank you for your help. 

@ejn63​ 

Thank you in advance.

I also have an Inspiron 15 (3530).

Left Side:
• 1 power input port

• 1 HDMI port

• 1 USB 3.2 ("SuperSpeed" 5 Gbps)

• 1 USB-C (weaker version / no display output / "SuperSpeed" 5 Gbps)

Right Side:

• 1 Headset Jack

• 1 USB 2.0

• 1 SD Slot

I spoke with Arkey B****, one of the IT Support Supervisors, over the phone.
I have also done some research on my own to try to make sure I have the best answer possible before spending any extra money.

1. Arkey confirmed that my USB-C port does not support display / video output.
2. He suggested that the USB 3.2 port may not provide sufficient power output for multiple displays through an external displaylink adapter.  He stated that it may work intermittenly or it may stop working completely after a while.
3. He at one point looked into compatible docks for my device and stated that nothing is listed; but he suggested a Universal Dock, specifically a D6000.  (I am unsure if it was a confident suggestion, or if he was just brainstorming.  I just emailed him to confirm before I spend any money, and I am awaiting a reply.)
4. I have looked into HDMI hubs / splitters / switches . . . and I am pretty sure that is not what I am looking for . . . ?  (I want my desktop extended onto multiple externals -- not duplicated.)

What do you think, my friend?
• Do you think I should buy & try the D6000?

• Or do you think I should shop around and try an external displaylink adapter?

• Or do you think I should just get used to having my desktop extended onto only (1) external monitor instead of (2) ?

I think you're going to find any dock won't provide what you're looking for, and even if you get one to work, you're going to run up against the limitations of the extreme budget nature of this notebook.  If you're satisfied with a single external display, you've got about all you can out of this system.  If you really need multiple displays, start with a higher-line notebook.  

My Inspiron 3530 has the following ports

1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port
1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C full function*
1 USB 2.0 port ​
1 Headset jack *
1 HDMI 1.4 port

What docking station can I use for power and external monitor support?

By the way what is the difference between 

Type- C™ (DisplayPort/Power Delivery) port vs Full functionality USB C port

An Inspiron 14 5440 has the first kind and an Inspiron 15 3530 has the second kind

The 3530 has video out over USB-C if it has an aluminum chassis or a discrete GPU -- otherwise, it has no video out over USB-C.

The 5440 has different USB-C support depending on the CPU you have

for computer shipped with 1305U/1334U/1335U processors

• Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) ports
• One USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-C port (Data only)

for computer shipped with 120U/150U processors

• Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) ports
• One USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort™ 1.4 port

Only the 120U/150U will do video out over USB-C.

"Full function" should allow for video out over USB-C (or a dock connection).  

@ejn63​ I am looking at buying either a 5440 with a 120U processor or a 3530 with an Aluminum chassis.  Will the USB-C ports on both give me the same functionality with a Dell dock?

The 5440 model I am looking at says "Type- C™ (DisplayPort/Power Delivery) port"

The 3530 model I am looking at says "Full functionality USB C port"

I cannot figure out the difference in functionality between them

Thanks

There probably is no real difference usb-wise.  Do you want the smaller 14" screen or the larger 15" one is the real difference between the two.