Dell Business Thunderbolt Dock - Tb16 With 240w Adapter Review

Besides charging, the Thunderbolt 3 port on my Dell XPS 15 is mainly used for one thing: To connect to the Dell Thunderbolt Dock, or short TB16. Using the dock I tin connect all of my peripherals I have set up in my home office with simply a single cable. No split USB hubs or chargers and no awkward docking station are needed. Ane cable does information technology all. A seemingly perfect setup.

Thunderbolt three and USB Type-C promised so much: Blazingly fast file transfers (twoscore Gbit/south), external GPUs, universal chargers using USB Power Commitment and so much more. Despite the seemingly universal detest the latest Macbooks have received, I've been quite pleased to see Apple and Google going all-in on these new technologies. After all, I'grand currently charging my Dell XPS 15 using an Apple tree power brick. The same charger can also top upwardly my Google Pixel, my GoPro, and my Fujifilm Ten-T4. The single-port future can't come up quickly enough for me.

What came before the Dell TB16

Dell'south previous Thunderbolt 3 docks haven't been a delinquent success. The TB16'southward predecessor was discontinued rather quickly after users experienced a myriad of issues.

The TB16 hasn't been perfect in the past year or and so I've been using it. Though a few faulty updates and another quirks oasis't been enough for me to give it upwards. What I similar about the TB16, and what I don't similar, will exist discussed in this review.

Thunderbolt three and USB Type-C: a Quick Explainer

There's some confusion over the differences between USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3. Think of USB Type-C as just a connector or cable. Information technology'll replace the old school USB Type-A port on your PC and laptop over the coming years. In fact, many newer notebooks, like the MacBook, aren't fifty-fifty equipped with the older USB Type-A ports anymore.

Because it's a lot smaller than older USB types, it'll also be the default port on just about whatever electronic devices. Be it cameras, phones, or headphones. At some signal, everything will be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

USB Power Delivery

A large advantage USB Type-C brings with it is USB Ability Delivery, assuasive for up to 100W of power to pass through the cable. The hope many share with me is that we'll be able to elevation up all the chargeable devices we own using the same cable.

USB Blazon-C alternating modes

USB Type-C also supports a number of so called alternating modes. This allows a Type-C port to likewise act as a DisplayPort, HDMI port or Thunderbolt iii port.

Thunderbolt 3 brings the the Thunderbolt technology to USB. Thunderbolt has long been winning the transfer-speed race only hasn't seen as wide an adaption equally USB. Thunderbolt 3 is still four times faster than the latest of USB technology. This makes Thunderbolt iii the perfect port for docks. Everything, including video and ability, can exist delivered to a notebook with but a unmarried cable. Thunderbolt iii capable USB Type-C ports are marked with a pocket-size lightning bolt.

Dell Thunderbolt Dock 16 (TB16) overview

The Dell Thunderbolt Dock (TB16) is specifically designed to be in utilise with Dell notebooks (what a surprise). I've not tested the dock with any other notebook than my Dell XPS 15. Therefore I can't confirm or deny whether it works with notebooks from other notebooks than Dells.

Thanks to all of the to a higher place mentioned advantages Thunderbolt 3 brings with information technology, the TB16 manages to cram in all of the following ports:

Ii USB 2.0 ports, Iii USB 3.0 ports
Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port
Speaker output (rear), Philharmonic audio (front end)
Gigabit ethernet

Thank you to USB Power Commitment (PD), at that place is no need for a charger when connected to the TB16. Having a home part while at the same time staying mobile has never been easier. Simply unplug the single Thunderbolt 3 cable and yous're set up to go. The TB16 allows the connection of ii 4K displays at 60Hz. My XPS 15 (9560) is well known to have a rather shoddy WiFi card (which could be replaced), thanks to the TB16's ethernet I'g finally connected to the network without whatsoever dropouts.

Things to like About the Dell TB16

There'south non much to say almost the advantages of owning this dock. 95% of the time it does what it should. I've permanently got an external keyboard, my Wacom Tablet, a massive external drive assortment and a USB Type-A to Type-C for my external SSD connected.

The ethernet port allows for a stable connection to my network. The TB16 isn't too large and I similar the simple design. I don't demand anything more than flashy than the blackness box it is. Sadly though 95% isn't all of the time.

The problems I've had and am having will exist discussed shortly. After the disaster that was the TB15 many were property off purchasing some other Thunderbolt dock from Dell. Me included. Nonetheless, I bit the bullet and bought the TB16. So, let's see why this isn't the perfect Thunderbolt 3 dock.

Issues AND ODD QUIRKS

As mentioned, Dell has seemingly had a few bug with previous Thunderbolt docks. My TB16 runs every bit expected for the almost parts. In the past in that location has been a lack of quality control when it comes to updates and I would definitely recommend checking out the Dell forums before every BIOS update. 1 such update somehow disabled all the USB ports on my TB16, rendering information technology useless for more than a week.

My TB16 has a rather strange quirk when my XPS 15 is under heavy load. I haven't read of anyone else experiencing this, and then it could simply be mine. At fourth dimension'south, when I'chiliad running multiple applications such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro and the XPS 15 is struggling, my keyboard (attached via i of the USB 2.0 ports to the TB16) loses its connection. The connection appears to be dead and is just resolved by unplugging the keyboard and plugging information technology in again.

Speaking of devices under heavy load: Buyers should exist aware that the TB16 has got a fan and does need to be actively cooled. You lot'll hear that fan spinning, even when your notebook is silent.

A lack of ports?

Despite seemingly being littered with ports, I can't aid only feel that the TB16 could accept fit in fifty-fifty more. Having just iii USB 3.0 ports can be a bit slim when working with multiple external drives. I as well would've loved to have another couple of Thunderbolt iii/USB Type-C ports on the front of the unit. Some other port I would've appreciated is a seperate 3.5 mm microphone input. Equally things are, y'all're forced to use a headset with a combined audio in/out jack.

That TB16 cablevision…

Last simply not least, I absolutely hate one specific decision that was taken when designing the TB16. The cablevision which connects your notebook to the dock is rather short and located on the TB16's left side. However the XPS 15'due south Thunderbolt iii port is also located on the notebooks left side. Meaning the TB16 and the XPS15 need to exist located close to each other or you're forced to use the TB16 dorsum to front.

Newer XPS models with multiple Thunderbolt 3 ports won't take this problem. But for me and anyone else using an older XPS 15 or XPS thirteen this tin can be a right bother. With the setup I've got, the cable barely reaches.

Summary

Despite its faults, I've come to capeesh the TB16. It's perfect for my habitation office setup and the issues I've mentioned are not something I struggle with on a daily footing. If I could cull, I'd still prefer a dock that stays silent and had a few more ports. The TB16 will do for now and the foreseeable future. Being able to plug in a single cable and get-go working is and then much easier than faffing effectually with USB docks and display connectors.

Dell TB16 Thunderbolt iii Dock

Supports upwardly to iii-Displays, Gigabit Ethernet Port, Speaker output

Dell WD19TB Thunderbolt Docking Station

1x USB-C 3. ane (Gen 2), 1x USB-A 3. 1 (Gen one with power Share), 1x combo Audio/headset, 1x audio out.

Dell TB16 Pros

1 cablevision for data, video, power and networking.
Gigabit Ethernet for a more than stable network connexion compared to WiFi.
Wake-on-LAN (WOL) from S3, S4 or S5 sleep states.

Dell TB16 Cons

The Thunderbolt 3 cable is positioned on the wrong side of the unit.
No separate microphone in port.
The unit is noticeably loud.

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Source: https://liamalexcolman.net/2018/02/18/dell-thunderbolt-dock-tb16-review-a-promising-look-at-the-future/