Dell at present affords greater than 25 completely different docking options inside its personal branding. They’re made to work throughout Dell’s broad suite of laptops, with choices for USB-A, USB-C, Thunderbolt, and extra. One of the current additions is the Twin Cost Dock (HD22Q) that Dell touts because the “world’s first laptop computer docking station with a wi-fi charging stand” constructed for telephones with Qi charging capabilities. It additionally boasts eight complete ports and a few additional options like PXE assist, MAC deal with passthrough, and as much as 90W of charging energy again to the host laptop computer. I have been utilizing it in my each day workflow for a few weeks to see how profitable the mashup actually is and, finally, whether or not or not it is price your cash.
Dell Twin Cost Dock: Value, availability, and specs
Dell equipped Home windows Central with a assessment unit of its Twin Cost Dock (HD22Q). It at present prices about $266 at Dell’s official web site, although it has been having fun with a 30% low cost there for a while. The common worth at Dell with out the low cost is $379.
Dell Twin Cost Dock (HD22Q)
Connection: USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) DP Alt Mode
Fastened cable (0.8m)
Ports: USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) PD 3.0
4 USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1)
RJ45 Ethernet
DisplayPort 1.4
HDMI 2.1
Energy: As much as 90W to host
Qi 1.3 (as much as 12W quick cost)
Max show res: 4K @ 60Hz
8K @ 30Hz
Dimensions: 4.46 (H) x 3.56 (W) x 4.62 (D) inches
(113.2mm x 90.5mm x 117.35mm)
Weight: 1.48 kilos (0.67kg)
Guarantee: 3 years
The dock has additionally been noticed at third-party retailer Amazon, the place it at present prices about $303. Your buy comes with a reasonably beneficiant three-year guarantee from Dell, masking exchanges and restricted {hardware} protection.
The Dell Twin Cost Dock depends on USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) with DisplayPort Alt Mode to attach correctly to your laptop computer. It’s best to be capable of get some performance from the dock with a extra primary model of USB-C, although exterior show assist will undergo. Should you’re spending this a lot cash on a dock, I like to recommend you will have a laptop computer with the right host port.
The dock may even work positive with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 host ports, as each requirements assist DisplayPort Alt Mode. I primarily examined the dock utilizing laptops with Thunderbolt host ports with no points.
Dell Twin Cost Dock: What I like
Dell’s Twin Cost Dock is not like another I’ve examined, in that it combines a Qi wi-fi charging portion with the same old glut of ports that these equipment are identified for. It is constructed primarily from what appears like a magnesium alloy, the identical stuff that many high-end laptops additionally use, weighing in at about 1.48 kilos (0.67kg). The majority of the dock rests behind the vertical charging stand, itself coated in a sturdy mesh material that undoubtedly lowers the possibility of your telephone (or different accent outfitted with Qi capabilities) getting scratched up when charging. It offers the dock’s in any other case austere look a little bit of persona as effectively, one thing that is welcome in an adjunct that you will see day-after-day.
Having my telephone charging subsequent to me on the good angle to see any incoming alerts, whereas my laptop computer additionally will get eight additional ports, is a luxurious I do not need to quickly surrender.
The vertical portion has a small lip on the backside to carry your telephone in place, in addition to a tiny LED beneath that offers you a charging standing. This manner you needn’t wake your telephone to test that it is nonetheless charging correctly; it is also superb for different units with no display screen (like wi-fi headphones).Â
The stand leans again only a bit. It is the proper angle to see any incoming messages or calls through the day. I am now within the behavior of setting my telephone down within the morning after I go to work and leaving it there for many of the day. Life will get even simpler in the event you use a tool that helps Microsoft’s Cellphone Hyperlink characteristic, which lets you management all the things out of your close by laptop computer. The Qi charger can run at as much as 12W if Quick Cost is supported in your telephone.
Three charging coils stay contained in the stand, permitting for various {hardware} sizes to however obtain energy. It even labored with a set of Apple’s AirPods Professional, although I needed to set the case on its aspect for the wi-fi sign to hyperlink up. Not a giant deal.
Port choice is not as spectacular as I’ve seen in different docks, but it surely’s nonetheless sufficient to deal with most of my workflow that includes a webcam, keyboard, mouse, and exterior monitor. The one factor lacking that I often use is an SD card reader.
The fitting aspect of the dock has two USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1) ports with 5Gbps speeds and as much as 4.5W of charging energy, whereas the left aspect has one USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) port with 10Gbps switch speeds and as much as 15W of charging energy for linked equipment. The again aspect of the dock holds nearly all of ports, in addition to the AC adapter enter and the mounted (non-removable) USB-C host cable. There are two extra USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1) ports right here, RJ45 Ethernet with Gigabit capabilities, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 1.4.
As a result of the USB-C port on the aspect of the dock is reserved for information and charging solely, HDMI and DisplayPort are the unique exterior monitor hookups. Because of this there’s at all times baseline twin monitor assist. Issues get a bit trickier past that, as you will must daisy-chain displays on the DisplayPort aspect. These displays have to be outfitted with Multi-Stream Transport (MST) and Show Stream Compression (DSC) assist, two options that are not extraordinarily widespread.
Should you do daisy-chain displays with out DSC, decision on the DisplayPort aspect drops down to simply 1280×720 at a 60Hz refresh fee. The utmost potential setup with all parameters met is quad QHD shows at 60Hz, or two 4K shows at 60Hz every.
There is a energy button on the aspect of the charging stand that enables for Wake-on-Dock performance. This basically means that you can get up your linked laptop computer with out having to open the lid. That is little doubt a welcome characteristic when you’ve got a full suite of equipment at your disposal and like to go away your laptop computer off to the aspect of your desk.
With out the vertical stand, the dock can be lots like another compact desktop possibility on the market, providing a number of ports and host charging. However together with the baked-in Qi charging characteristic, the Twin Cost Dock has a number of extra goodies to tempt these utilizing fashionable Dell laptops.Â
Wake-on-LAN is on the market if linked to an Ethernet cable, and MAC deal with passthrough can also be potential. Then there’s Preboot Execution Setting (PXE) assist, wi-fi vPro, and Kernel Direct Reminiscence Entry (DMA). I do not use any of those options, however IT admins managing a fleet of laptops linked to those docks will be capable of take benefit. Dell has a full record of its appropriate PCs that you may test to see whether or not your gadget is listed; lots of the greatest Dell laptops are included.
It needs to be talked about that setting the dock up was as straightforward as plugging within the AC adapter, host laptop computer, and equipment. I did not want to put in any drivers, although Dell does suggest updating the dock’s firmware and your laptop computer’s BIOS, graphics driver, and Ethernet driver. That is little doubt particularly vital in the event you’re utilizing the PXE, wake on LAN, and MAC deal with passthrough options.
Dell Twin Cost Dock: What I do not like
One factor that irks me about costly docking stations is a set host cable that can not be eliminated on the dock finish. Whereas it does not stand in the way in which of transporting the dock — it is meant to stay on a desk with dependable AC energy — it would trigger issues if it turns into broken. As a substitute of simply with the ability to use a special USB-C cable to connect with your laptop computer, likelihood is you will should both substitute the whole dock or ship it away for repairs.
Port choice is not too unhealthy right here, particularly with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, however I might like to see an SD or microSD card reader included. Having to connect one other dongle to the dock for my workflow is not superb. Extra USB-C ports would even be welcome as extra equipment change over from USB-A.
A model of the dock with Thunderbolt 4 would additionally seemingly be fairly in style. Many laptops have already moved on from normal USB-C, and although this dock is appropriate with Thunderbolt, you aren’t getting all the identical high-performance perks. Sooner downstream ports and higher show assist are two instant advantages.
Dell Twin Cost Dock: Competitors
There are many nice docking stations available on the market right now, and choosing the proper one might be tough. Whereas the Dell Twin Cost Dock has a bunch of additional administration options made particularly to work with Dell laptops, it additionally appears to work positive (generally) with different OEM techniques. However take into account you’re paying for the additional options whether or not you employ them or not.
As a substitute for laptops with Thunderbolt 4, I like to recommend testing the CalDigit TS4. As talked about in my assessment, it is the “pinnacle of Thunderbolt 4 docking stations” due to providing an incredible quantity of ports, 98W charging, a number of show assist, and an general high-quality construct. When you have a laptop computer with Thunderbolt 3, the CalDigit TS3 Plus is sort of nearly as good, although it is now getting tougher to seek out.
Should you’re sticking with USB-C, Plugable’s Triple 4K Dock brings extra ports (together with an SD card reader), extra handy show assist for greater than two screens, and as much as 100W charging. It does not boast all the identical distant administration options, however that is not a giant deal in the event you’re shopping for it for dwelling use.
Lastly, HP’s Thunderbolt G4 Dock is a superb different in the event you’re utilizing an HP laptop computer with Thunderbolt. It has lots of the identical safety and administration options, tons of ports, and non-obligatory 280W charging for cell workstations. In any other case you are taking a look at 120W.
Do you have to purchase Dell’s Twin Cost Dock?
Who it is for …
- These with a Dell laptop computer that may reap the benefits of all options
- Those that want extra ports for equipment, shows, and Ethernet
- Those that prefer to have their telephone close by and charged always
Who it is not for …
- Those that need to take full benefit of Thunderbolt
- Those that cannot spend about $300 on a docking station
- These with laptops missing USB-C with DP Alt Mode
Dell’s Twin Cost Dock is not seemingly going to go away my desk anytime quickly. Whereas I usually alternate between the mighty CalDigit TS3 Plus and CalDigit TS4, utilizing Dell’s dock with my XPS 13 has been a clean expertise. I do not want greater than two shows and thus do not want any specialised displays that may correctly daisy chain, and the USB-C host cable works completely with Thunderbolt. Having my telephone propped up subsequent to me at an ideal angle to learn messages and alerts — whereas additionally charging — can also be a luxurious I do not need to quickly surrender.Â
The dock is constructed effectively, it is compact sufficient that it hardly takes up any desk area, and it may cost my laptop computer with as much as 90W of energy. The shortage of SD card reader and the mounted host cable are a bit irksome, however nothing I am unable to take care of.
Pricing is pretty excessive, and also you’d little doubt be capable of avoid wasting cash on a competing dock in the event you do not want the additional distant administration and safety features which might be baked in to be used with Dell laptops. That is, in the long run, a dock that is greatest reserved for Dell laptops, however it would nonetheless supply its foremost options to simply about any laptop computer you join so long as it has USB-C with DP Alt Mode.
Dell Twin Cost Dock (HD22Q)
Dell’s Twin Cost Dock works greatest with a Dell laptop computer, particularly if it’s essential use the built-in distant administration options. However it may additionally deal with different PCs, and the Qi charger is a superb addition that I need to carry on my desktop for each day use.
