1

I have worked in several Dell shops and love their products. Their business class laptops have remained sturdy and relativity trouble free compared to other brands I have worked with. The time from quote to config to waiting at my office has always been a selling point.

But, I was surprised recently when I spoke to my Dell rep to find out they are no longer going to be using the traditional port on the bottom style docks. Instead going to USB!?

In all the times I have implemented USB style docks that are heavily dependent upon software. I have always come back unhappy with the results. Please tell me I am not the only one annoyed with this decision.

Dell, what are you doing!?

How do you feel about USB style docking stations?
  • I think USB docks suck.
  • I think USB docks are great.
0 voters
103 Spice ups
2

Tried one when i was told the E docks are going away. Spent over an hour trying to set it up. In the end went on Amazon and bought an E dock. The usb one went in the garbage because Dell would not take it back.

21 Spice ups
3

The size and proprietary technology in the older style docks are just outdated. I am very happy with the USB docks and am glad to see the technology with laptop docks moving forward albeit a bit slowly.

29 Spice ups
4

The D1000 USB docks are complete and utter trash. I will buy my e-port docks as long as possible. If USB docks actually charged the laptop, i might change my tune, but as it is, all it does is add unnecessary cabling and clutter to already cluttered desks.

47 Spice ups
5

Agree with Computer Chip. In fact my most recent Dell laptop refreshes came with Thunderbolt docks. These not only allow for port replication but can supply power to the laptop, a great improvement.

19 Spice ups
6

They are trying to make laptops lighter. HP has gone this route as well and I really don’t care for it.

5 Spice ups
7

You can still buy the E-Port docks on Dell’s website. I almost bought one today, but then I realized I had a spare.

And I’ve heard nothing but bad things about Dell’s USB docks. I’ve only heard good about Startech’s, though.

6 Spice ups
8

I have only used one usb dock from dell or anyone else. It works flawlessly, charges the laptop, and has the connections to support 2 displays. Maybe i got lucky so far. I have read several threads about the issues people have seen with the usb docks though, it got me nervous. The position it got deployed to has a high visibility. I think it was the WD15 on a Dell XPS 15 9550.

4 Spice ups
9

I prefer the E dock. However, had to go with the USB dock for our Lenovo Yoga laptops. Kensinton SD3500v USB 3.0 Universal Dual Docking Station works pretty well.

4 Spice ups
10

We should be able to add other options to this poll. Like this has already been discussed and everyone is going away from E-dock style docks. You’ll have to get used to the port replicator style external “docks” for better or for worse.

The current Latitude doesn’t have the connector either so you will have no choice if you want a dock

2 Spice ups
11

I am working with a relatively small sample size, but I have had nothing but problems with Dell’s traditional docks. The sound stops working, the display blacks out until the laptop is pulled off the dock, etc… I now have about half-a-dozen Dell USB 3.0 docks in use at the moment and other than a user accidentally unplugging the power cord once I haven’t even thought about them since I set them up.

2 Spice ups
12

I loved the E-docks. they always worked. The D3100 usb dock is eh. heavily dependant on software that breaks every update. The new USB3/thunderbolt docks seem to be much better. One connection to the laptop for everything. (its about time)

3 Spice ups
13

I understand the push for USB, it’s much more interchangeable and you don’t have proprietary ports and pins to mess up

4 Spice ups
14

The new Dell docks are USB C. The laptops also have to be USB C ready. The laptop will then charge over the cable as C has a higher wattage capability. The E-docks have been having flashing and blank screen issues with the latest tech. Not to mention their size has stayed the same while the laptop size has decreased. This caused them to start shipping this ridiculous plastic spacer to make mounting easier.

When we started having issues with the e docks, we evaluated the Wi-Gig wireless dock. It’s a neat idea, but it has some terrible disconnect issues. Mine has this new behavior where all the screens go blank and the laptop screen won’t turn on. Only way out is to hold in the power button on the laptop.

I was at an event where they were showing the USB C docks and the new compatible laptops. A couple customers who where early adopters said they were having disconnect issues. Hopefully that gets resolved.

Advantages to the new docks is that they can be mounted to the backs of Dell monitors. No desk space usage. The old E docks took up a solid 4 sq/ft with the laptop.

16 Spice ups
15

What @pat said

You need the new usb-c docks, the older usb-3 ones are a bit crap
Moving to usb-c Im seeing no issues so far

17 Spice ups
16

This is the exact problem I’m having with an E5570. Is there a dock you recommend?

4 Spice ups
17

We went through support and they had us do a combination of updates to the BIOS and the graphics driver. It helped in some instances. I still have one that I know of that the issue is not resolved. Fortunately that user is a heavy traveler and doesn’t use the dock much.

Our laptop refresh is next year so we’re moving to USB C.

3 Spice ups
18

I’ve got it on the latest BIOS as of last week, and I do a full uninstall, reboot, and reinstall of the graphics drivers every time a new one comes out. I even sent it off to Dell’s advanced support lab, and they couldn’t figure it out. It seems to only happen when returning from a screen saver.

1 Spice up
19

Well we also noticed that there were a few groups within Dell pointing the finger at each other. So I’m thinking they have no idea and that’s why you are seeing EOL for the E docks.

2 Spice ups
20

I get why they did it (size, laptop thickness, ect) however I think they could have built a new connector and docking station. Not really happy to see them go. Guess well see how Thunderbolt works out.

I liked that you could drop the laptop into the dock and go, now its a cable to get messed up or broken.

2 Spice ups