Super Speed USB 3.0 Docking Station - No power to laptop?

The documentation for the Super Speed USB 3.0 docking station does not state the laptop must be charged by a separate power source.  The images in the documentation show only the USB uplink between the two devices with power going to the docking station.  This is the docking station Dell states is supported by the Latitude 3440 I just purchased.  Having to crawl under a desk and unplug and plug in an AC adapter every time I take or return my laptop defeats the purpose of having a docking station.  Calling this a docking station is false advertisement.  Label it what it is, port replicator, and disclose the fact that it will not power a laptop.  Customers do not like to me lied to or misled as you have done here.

Sure,

My wife and I have 60 years of combined IT experience. We've never heard of a docking station that doesn't pass the voltage to a closed-lid laptop's (usually proprietary) AC contact dock--which also has AC-DC transformer(s). As I type this note, I'm looking at my wife's HP and Lenovo docking stations that are charging the inserted laptops, in addition to provided peripheral connections. Devices that only connect peripherals are called "Port Replicators."

We've never bought computers in any form for personal use; we build them. But the work notebooks we've used since the 1980s, including my last Dell circa 1998--have all come with Docking Stations to charge the battery, run the notebook computer and drive the Dock peripherals like monitors, keyboards, mice, external drives, etc.

So, you are absolutely, positively, unequivocally, undeniably, incontrovertibly incorrect about Dell never manufacturing and providing power via their docking stations. Hell man, what do you think the point of a docking station if you can't plug and unplug the notebook without worrying about power supply cords?

I've got the Super Speed USB 3.0 "Docking Station" (read: Port Replicator), that I use with my modified Dell Inspiron 7720 17R. I scrapped the idiotic hybrid drive and installed two SSDs and use the micro SSD chip from the hybrid drive as a third SSD drive. I also replaced the slow 4GB of RAM with fast 16GB to better run Windows 8.1 and Linux virtual machines. The point is there is less of a power demand with all these changes because there are no moving parts, except for the optical drive which I rarely use, and the cooling fans. Still the 7720 has poor battery life-perhaps one hour. I attribute that to the NVidia and Intel HD4000 graphics combination and HD LED LCD screen.  So when using the laptop, I inevitably have to connect it to the 130 watt power supply. This computer screams for a real docking station. With the external monitor drawing the most power, the Super Speed should still be able to power the notebook and charge the battery. I've done the watt calculations for my setup.

Also, the Super Speed documentation setup guide DOES NOT show the 130 Watt power supply connected to the notebook; just the USB 3.0 connector. So the documentation is either misleading or shoddy--pick one.

The Super Speed 3.0 is a port replicator. Period. The 7720 17R has quad core 8 thread power, and screams with the SSDs. But it makes a poor work notebook without a dock power connector and docking station. It's annoying having to tote power supplies everywhere.  Especially since Dell sent a second power supply rated at only 90 Watts. I'll have to buy a second 130 Watt supply. Hell, I won't pay Dell--I'll make my own extra power supply.

BTW, I do like your Cardinal icon. Does that represent the Louisville Cardinals? Welcome to the ACC. I'm having a good time razzing some relatives who thought Louisville would win the ACC football title in their first year. I predicted a .500 record. Bingo, 3-3 with no chance to play in the Championship Game. But as long as you beat Notre Lame, it's all good. :)

Cheers,

Eric Webb

UNC, Astrophysics Cosmology Department

PC64 I've used Dell docking stations for years at work, and they always charged the laptop so I didn't require an additional cord.  I kept my power chord at home because I didn't need it at work. I also assumed this was one of the advantages of using them.  I'm disappointed, because now I need to use an additional outlet for the dock.  I can't seem to find the same type of station for home use.   To be clear, even the standard docking stations require an additional power cord.  The only difference is that those docking stations include the power cord when you purchase them, and the power cord connects into the docking station itself rather than directly into your laptop. You didn't specify what model laptop you have, but if you have one of the standard Dell docking connectors on the bottom, finding a docking station should be easy.  If not, a USB 3.0 docking station such as this is your only option, and any of them will require you to supply a power cord if you wish to charge your laptop while using it.

To re-clarify the standard "docking port" does NOT use an additional power cord. It uses a single power cord to both power it's various ports, and runs power across the docking port pins to charge the laptop.

A port replicator uses an additional cord. You plug one into the replicator to power that unit, then one into the laptop to keep it charged.

The unit in question is wrongfully called a "docking station". It is not a docking station. You can't plug it into your "docking port".

It uses a power cord just to power itself, and if you want to charge the laptop, you must connect an "additional" power cord (two power cords).