Dell XPS 9520 and Docking Station?

I just purchased a dell xps 15 9520 but haven't received it yet.


Specs are

Windows 11 Pro

i7-12700H 32gb ddr5 ram

1tb ssd

nvidia 3050

1920x1200 resolution




I notice that this laptop has 1 usb-c port, 2 thunderbolt 4 ports and that is all. My current laptop, the xps 15 9550, has hdmi port, thunderbolt port, 2 usb a ports.


With my xps 15 9550, I connect 2 external monitors without any dock station. The 32' 4k samsung monitor is connected by usb-c to displayport cable. The 24' 1920x1200 monitor is connected by hdmi to dvi cable. But my hdmi port got fried so i can no longer use this port but before this happened, no issue connecting 2 external monitors this way.


The 2 usb a ports I have. One port I connect a wireless mouse usb. The other port, I connect a sabrent four port hub to it. So with that, I connect wired keyboard, cable matters ethernet adapter so I could use wireless internet... and the other 2 ports, I would use it for usb flash drive and something else. Thus even if I had just one usb-a port on it, the sabrent port hub would be enough for the wireless mouse, wired keyboard and the ethernet for wired internet as one other port, I would not always use.


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1. Now how am i suppose to connect the same exact devices on this 9520? I read I will have to buy a docking station no matter what if i want 2 external monitors right since 1 of the thunderbolt has to be used for charging laptop and another one would be used for my usb a devices? However, heard its possible if daisychaining but possible here? But what about connecting the usb a devices? So I would use the usb-c port for charging my laptop? My old xps 9550 used a barrel charger and now they are going with usb-c on the 9520. So there would be 1 usb c port used.



1st Thunderbolt 4. So I would buy something like below this to connect 2 external monitors? This plugable seem to support 2 external monitors whether displayport or hdmi and up to 4k and 60hz.


https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Dis...08F2SZQYX/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8




2. 2nd Thunderbolt 4 Port - I would have to use this 2nd thunderbolt 4 port to connect the wireless mouse, wired keyboard etc right? However, what cable or adapter would I need for this because the sabrent usb four port hub cannot connect to the thunderbolt 4 port correct? Dell does seem to supply a usb-c to usb-a adapter but that would not work here? Also they give a usb-c to hdmi adapter but again useless here since I want 2 external monitors right? Now the easiest way to do this would get a dell dock station but those cost like $400 right?




3. Now the easiest way to do this would get a dell dock station but those cost like $400 right? But would either of these work that cost $200 or $161?


Visiontek vt4000

VisionTek VT4000 USB Dual 4K Docking Station | Dell USA



Dell D3100

Dell Docking Station – USB 3.0 (D3100) | Dell USA

newmann said:

heard its possible if daisychaining

Click to expand...

Daisy chaining is possible but not advisable. Of the 2 docks Dell is the better one but your problem is both docks connect to the laptop through usb C. The Dell dock specifically states
" this dock will not charge your laptop."

I read the specs on the Visiontech dock. It does not specifically state whether it will power your laptop or not.

So your conundrum is finding a dock that will also provide power to the laptop as it has only one usb-C port. Contact Dell sales and they should be able to suggest what dock you need.

I have the Dell XPS 9510 you see clicking on "My Computer" below.

I have a couple of USB A devices and found these useful...


I just leave them connected to the two USB A devices. I only connect these devices occasionally when needed.

I can't answer your question about a docking station as I have no need for one as I have no need for external monitors or an external mouse.

I did buy a second Dell USB C charger and find it quite useful.

I love this computer.

The issue we have at present is that the technical and actual availability of USB-C accessories and are in a state of flux

I use a Dell XPS17 that comes with four USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports only.

The USB-C specification applies just to the Connector, the manufacturer can connect the hardware on the Device / Dock / peripheral, to any of the available USB transmission standards. This can be USB3, USB3.1, or even USB2, and hubs can often use more than the one standard

I have found that the only way that you can ensure you are getting the maximum benefit from the system is to limit yourself to certified Thunderbolt 3 devices and peripherals.

The downside of this is of course that certified items are Premium price items - more so with USB-C Thunderbolt 4 which is only just coming on-stream

I manage with non certified hardware for my purposes but only by careful research into what I am buying [ok I will save money at times by buying a lower spec item when I know that this is all that is needed for the task]

There are a number of multi port "docks" available that include USB-C through ports and also USB-A , HDMI, ETC ports which are available for a lot less than the official Dell items

So my advice is to research before you buy

My response on your identical tenforums.com post is to ask in the Dell XPS support forum, linked in my response.

Well this dell xps 15 9520 is very fast so i want to go with that.


But i have to buy some kind of dock station to connect 2 external monitors. So want to know what is the cheapest way to do this without paying over $400 for a dell dock station. Could I buy that plugable 4k dock for $120 and that would work? Does the below work here?

It should work fine, assuming that you are using HDMI and /OR Display Port for your monitors.

There may be cheaper options if cost is a major factor, but with only a single USB-C port the cheaper options could be more work to maintain over time [they would likely involve a splitter and two converters which adds complexity]. Also splitters can get expensive as the USB-C outputs are still covered by patents and so can incur licencing costs

Of course using someone such as Amazon does give you a try before you buy facility

Thinking about your situation ... to reduce cost to a minimum ... get yourself two USB-C (thunderbolt 3/4 compatible) to HDMI or Display Port adaptors or Cables and plug those into the two Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Then get yourself a USB-C to USB-A Hub (standard is four outputs - this should be a lot less than the dock you mention or the Dell unit



If you already have suitable cables to fit your monitors you can get adaptors which are likely to be even less than the cables

[my examples are UK amazon but should be available at your local Amazon

barman58 said:

It should work fine, assuming that you are using HDMI and /OR Display Port for your monitors.

There may be cheaper options if cost is a major factor, but with only a single USB-C port the cheaper options could be more work to maintain over time [they would likely involve a splitter and two converters which adds complexity]. Also splitters can get expensive as the USB-C outputs are still covered by patents and so can incur licencing costs

Of course using someone such as Amazon does give you a try before you buy facility

Click to expand...

Hi there. So that plugable 4k dock that is $120, that should work here in my case? Yes would be using usb c to displayplay port with the 32' 4k samsung monitor and hdmi to dvi with the other 24' 1920x1200 monitor. So that would use one of the two thunderbolt4.


So the other usb-c port and thunderbolt4 port is fine with what i desribed? I thought this dock was actually the cheapest i could get 2 external monitors.... so it isn't?


Also i just thought about something else. If say on one of the two thunderbolt4 i have on this laptop, i connect the dell usb-c to usb a dongle to the sabrent usb four port hub. I would connect wireless mouse, wired keyboard and a cable matters ethernet adapter to it. Now let say the last usb port in that port hub, could I connect the plugable 4k dock to that 4th port in that sabrent port hub and then connect 2 monitors though there? Because that plugable 4k dock can connect either usb c or even usb. However, wouldn't it be too much power for the sabrent port hub to handle though?


I ask this because if that does work...wouldn't i be able to connect a 3rd external monitor to the 2nd thunderbolt4 port?


The usb-c port would be for laptop charging and obviously you need the laptop to charge. Does this make sense what i am asking here? However, is it 100% I could get 2 external monitors at least just with that $120 plugable 4k dock? Because those expensive dell docks cost $400 plus etc.

These are the current cables I actually have at the moment.


usb-c to display port - 4k resolution 60 hz - I had used this on my old xps 9550 when connecting usb-c to displayport and got 4k resolution on 4k monitor.


usb-c to hdmi - 4k resolution 60 hz


hdmi to hdmi - i believe its up to 4k resolution 60hz but not sure.


hdmi to dvi = I had used this on my old xps 9550 when connecting hdmi to monitor and that got 1920x1200 resolution



My thoughts are if i buy that 4k plugable dock for $120, I already have the usb-c to displayport cable for the 32' 4k samsung monitor. I also have the hdmi to dvi cable that I use to connect to the 24' 1920x1200 monitor. These were the two monitors i used on my old xps 9550 and did this without any dock station.


But this xps 9520 doesn't have an hdmi port which mean i cannot get 2 external monitor without buying some type of dock or adapter.


Right now, i want to be able to at least connect the 32' 4k samsung monitor and the 24' 1920x1200 monitor with the cables I have. But also... I want to be able to use two 4k monitors in the future. So wouldn't the plugable 4k dock for $120 do all that and I don't need to spend $400 or more for a dell dock now? I basically don't want to spend that much money on a dock as I already spent a lot on this 9520. But there is an even cheaper way with the adapters with this setup? Again if this xps 9520 had an hdmi port, I wouldn't even need to buy a dock at all but it doesn't.

HDMI is not a major issue, there are many variations of USB-C hubs available you could use something like this ...


which will provide a HDMI out and a number of USB-A ports
they also normally include a through USB-C port which can be used to add additional hubs or as a power input port [you need to check the exact functionality of the hub you get, as I stated in my first post as specs are varied ]

The convenience of a "Dock" is appealing but use of a number of hubs can give you exactly what you need and keep costs controlled

barman58 said:

HDMI is not a major issue, there are many variations of USB-C hubs available you could use something like this ...

Amazon.co.uk

which will provide a HDMI out and a number of USB-A ports
they also normally include a through USB-C port which can be used to add additional hubs or as a power input port [you need to check the exact functionality of the hub you get, as I stated in my first post as specs are varied ]

The convenience of a "Dock" is appealing but use of a number of hubs can give you exactly what you need and keep costs controlled

Click to expand...

Okay so in my situation, what is the cheapest or best option here for me with the 9520 then? I know the most expensive and easiest option would be buy a $400 dell dock and that would solve all the issues. I believe that expensive of a dock, I could even connect 3 external monitors without an issue... though I do not need that and I only need 2 external monitors.


So the 4k plugable dock that I posted for $120, that will surely work here correct? But could I do 3 external monitors if I put the 4k plugable dock into one of the four sabrent ports which would be connected to the dell usb c to usb a dongle which would be connected to one of the thunderbolt 4 ports?


But these adapters that you are suggesting, I am confused with it because even if those have an hdmi port or usb-c port, isn't the issue with it when connecting to an external monitor... either it might not do 4k resolution and even if it does, it might only do 30hz which i heard is very laggy?


I saw that 4k plugable dock at $120 as the cheapest dock I could buy that would work to get 2 external monitors compared to those expensive dell docks. But which adapters exactly would I need to get 2 external monitors without buying this 4k plugable dock then? You say i could buy 2 adapters but the cost of that each and total will be how much? Because I already have several cables already... but those are not good right? Now if I could get 2 adapters and say it cost like 20 dollars each for 40 dollars total and you say it works, obviously i would choose that compared to th 4k plugable dock for $120.


Do you know which specific devices i would need for this? I would also like if someone who has this exact laptop or even the 9510 or similar laptop with these exact ports... 1 usb c and 2 thunderbolt 4 could give advice on this.

I have exchanged lot of messages with another poster who is extremely knowledgeable about dell xps and dell dock stations.



He tells me that $119 plugable 4k dock isn't going to be good because it is a displayport. He said because my xps 9520 has a nvidia rtx 3050 video card this might be an issue. I had mentioned i saw a message on the plugable 4k dock on amazon that says not recommended for gaming or if you use a gaming graphics card. So the best options are



1. Dell wd22tb4 -$410+tax. Right now it is on sale now. But this would solve all my issues and if i wanted to, I could even connect three 4k monitors at 60hz. But I don't need to at this point as I don't even have that many monitors. This certainly is the most expensive option as it has enough usb a ports and ethernet port.




2. Wavlink -$100.


2 Displaylink to Displaylink cables so $10 x 2 = $20.

$17 Sabrent USB Four Port Hub.

$137+tax total




I had suggested this because someone else mentioned this and he said this would work. He said I would have to buy 2 displayport to displayport cables and that would be good enough. I also have to buy another sabrent usb four port hub probably. I would be connecting to a 32' 4k monitor that has displayport/hdmi port. The other monitor is a 24' 1920x1200 monitor that has displayport, dvi and VGA port. This would be the safest and simple way right? However, one big issue I have with this is I cannot this wavlink or the cables because I'm in the US now and those 2 monitors are outside the US. I do have a 20' 1600x1200 monitor that uses dvi or vga and a 43' LG 1080P tv that only takes hdmi I believe.



So would you recommend against this since if i buy 2 displayport to displayport cables and the wavlink, it isn't good because I can't test it out? I did consider getting a displayport to dvi cable instead of 2 displayport to displayport cables because that way I could test my xps 9520 with the 20' 1600x1200? Because if it works on this monitor, it will work on the 24' 1920x1200 monitor right? So might as well buy 1 displayport to displayport cable and 1 displayport to dvi cable?

3. The third and final option is an Anker usb c hub. But there are many of them.

Anker 655 C Hub 8 in 1 - $96

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Delivery-Ethernet-microSD-Charcoal/dp/B09MF6TJLW/ref=sr_1_11?crid=2FPFE...



Anker 555 C Hub 8 in 1 - $80

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerExpand-Adapter-Delivery-Ethernet/dp/B087QZVQJX/ref=sr_1_2?keywords...



Anker USB C Hub - Powerexpand 8 in 1 - $100

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerExpand-Adapter-Delivery-Ethernet/dp/B0874M3KW4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords...



Anker USB C Hub - Powerexpand 11 in 1 - $95

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerExpand-Adapter-Delivery-Ethernet/dp/B08NDGD2V5/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3LJ...



Can anyone explain to me what is the difference between the 555 and 655 which makes it cost a good amount less? The ports seem to be exactly the same? I am confused why the anker 11 in 1 only cost $95 since it gives an additional usb a port so it has 3 usb a ports?



Now would the anker usb-c hub be better or worst than the wavlink? With the wavlink, you would be connecting 2 monitors to it. Thus you will be using your thunderbolt4 port with it. Then you would be using the usb-c port on the 9520 for laptop charging. The last thunderbolt4 port could be used with your dell supplied usb-c to usb-a dongle and you connect the sabrent usb port hub to it to connect your wireless mouse, wired keyboard etc.



So with the anker. The setup will look like this. You will use the same usb-c port to charge the dell xps 9520 laptop. The thunderbolt4 port will be you connecting your usb-c to displayport link to the 32' 4k samsung monitor. Now with the anker... you would be connecting the hdmi to dvi cable to the 24' 1920x1200 monitor. So with this anker adapter, you connect only 1 external monitor as oppose to 2 monitors with the wavlink. There is the ethernet port for you to connect for wired internet. But with the 8 in 1 anker, there is only 2 usb a ports. I would want 3 or 4 usb-a ports. So could I plug the sabrent usb 4 port hub to one of the 2 usa port hubs int he anker to thus give it more usb a ports? Any concern about overload to it? Or not because it would only be 1 monitor, ethernet cable, and just the usb-a devices? But the anker 11 in 1 would have 3 usb a ports so that would mean I don't even need a sabrent 4 port hub?



The thing is if i get an anker usb-c hub as oppose to wavlink hub, not only do I don't need to buy new cables because I already have the cables needed, but I would be able to test my 20' 1600x1200 monitor here in the US with that anker usb-c correct? So if that works, it will work with the 24' 1920x1200 monitor that i don't have access to. Because I know when I connect the usb-c to displayport to the 32' 4k samsung monitor that I don't have access to now, well that would work because it is the same connection I used for it.



Now can anyone please take a look at my 2 posts and give me their opinion? Should i go with the simple more expensive Dell dock, the wavlink option... or the anker option? And if anker option, which anker out of those 4 anker usb-c? Thank you!

The major difference it would appear is that the one item is a newer model of the other, and is available in different colour finishes - as petty as it may be it is usual for the new version to cost more or the same of the two versions and the older item will be reduced to clear.

These days the variables of colour finish can also raise the price as this is a selling point to the buyer

barman58 said:

The major difference it would appear is that the one item is a newer model of the other, and is available in different colour finishes - as petty as it may be it is usual for the new version to cost more or the same of the two versions and the older item will be reduced to clear.

These days the variables of colour finish can also raise the price as this is a selling point to the buyer

Click to expand...

Okay so I am very confused right now as if the docking station is even required anymore.


I opened the dell xps 15 9520. It has the 1 usb-c port and 2 thunderbolt4 ports.


The usb-c port will be used for laptop charging with the 2 thunderbolt4 ports available.


I had thought dell supplied both a usb-c to usb-a cable and a usb-c to hdmi cable. What I notice in the box is... its actually a 2 in 1? It is a usb-c to usb a and hdmi cable.


So if this is the case, wouldn't that mean a dock station is not needed here to connect 2 external monitors?


Thunderbolt 4 Port - usb c to displayport with the 32' 4k samsung moitor.

2nd Thunderbolt 4 Port - Connect this usb-c to usb-a and hdmi port to it. Connect the sabrent usb 4 port hub to connect the wireless mouse, wired keyboard. You can also connect a cable matters ethernet adapter to one of the ports for ethernet. Then you have another port hub for anything you want.

But not only that... you could connect the hdmi to dvi cable to the 24' 1920x1200 monitor right?


So that way you could connect 2 external monitors without a dock station? I had thought it was 2 different cables.. usb-c to usb-a and usb-c to hdmi so i thought you could only plug 1 at a time which would meant you need a dock station for 2 external monitors?

you don't need a dock to do 2 external monitors. You can use those thunderbolt ports as you mentioned.

pparks1 said:

you don't need a dock to do 2 external monitors. You can use those thunderbolt ports as you mentioned.

Click to expand...

There is 1 usb-c port and 2 thunderbolt 4 ports on the xps 15 9520.

So how would you use the thunderbolt ports to do this without 2 external monitor if you still need few usb a ports below?


usb-c port will be used for charging the laptop with the dell charger.

thunderbolt 4 port -

2nd thunderbolt 4 port -


What would you connect to the two thunderbolt 4 port then without a dock?

I have to connect a sabrent usb 4 port hub and i want 4 usb a ports on it. I also need to have ethernet internet so also a cable matters ethernet adapter. I also have to connect a 2nd external monitor.

My plan was originally... because I thought dell would supply a usb-c to usb-a cable and a separate usb-c to hdmi cable. I thought there would be 2 different cables so I had to get a dock.


usb-c port - will be used for charging the laptop with the dell charger.

thunderbolt 4 port - usb-c to usb-a cable which has 1 usb a port. I would connect the sabrent usb 4 port hub to it. Then connect wireless mouse, wired keyboard and have 2 extra usb a ports.

2nd thunderbolt 4 port - wavlink thunderbolt 3 mini dock. It would connect 2 external monitors using a displayport to displayport for the 32' 4k samsung monitor and 24' 1920x1200 monitor. Wavlink also has ethernet port so connect wired internet. It also has 1 single usb a port available.



But because this cable dell supplied is a usb-c to usb-a/hdmi cable... then wouldn't I not need a dock such as a wavlink dock and do this below?



usb-c port - will be used for charging the laptop with the dell charger.

thunderbolt 4 port - usb-c to usb-a/hdmi cable which has 1 usb a port and 1 hdmi port. I would connect the sabrent usb 4 port hub to it. Then connect wireless mouse, wired keyboard, and cable matters ethernet adapter to it for wired internet with an extra usb-a port still available. It also has the hdmi as well on this adapter. So I would connect a hdmi to dvi cable for the 24' 1920x1200 monitor?

2nd thunderbolt 4 port - usb-c to displayport cable to the 32' 4k samsung monitor



Thoughts on either So because of how this dell adapter is... it is a 2 in 1, now I don't need a dock and don't need the wavlink dock or any dock. Is that correct? The one concern however would be I would either method I would be daisy chaining a sabrent usb 4 port hub to it so there might be overpower issues since it isn't a powered hub? But this shouldn't be a concern though if you are only connecting few usb-a devices into it? However I would be connecting the monitor as well to it... so would it be too much power? Or is thunderbolt 4 strong and powerful enough?


But with the wavlink dock, it might be safer because if using that... then the dell usb-c to usb-a adapter will only be daisy chain to the sabrent usb 4 port hub so it wouldn't be that much power to it?


The though is that wavlink does have 1 usb a port. But obviously connecting

2 external monitors
ethernet connection
sabrent usb 4 port hub to it with wireless mouse, wired keyboard

Could be Possible Too Much Power Or Not To a Single Thunderbolt 4 port?