Latitude 7490 DisplayPort / USB-C question

Question

Hi, all. I've had a 7480 for a while and now also have a 7490. I noticed that the 7480 has the lightning bolt logo/icon next to the USB-C port on the left side of the machine and I have regularly charged the machine through that port. The 7490 has the DisplayPort logo next to it instead of the lightning bolt. Does this mean that I cannot charge the machine through this port and can only use it as a conduit/connection for my USB-C dock? Thanks for your time.

jphughan · Accepted Answer

The lightning bolt relates to Thunderbolt 3, which is optional on the Latitude 7480 and 7490.  Sounds like the 7480 has Thunderbolt 3, whereas the 7490 only has regular USB Type-C.  Both systems support charging via USB-C as standard.  The 7490 just won't be able to use most Thunderbolt 3 peripherals.  There are some new Thunderbolt 3 peripherals just coming to market that are backward compatible with regular USB-C with reduced functionality (such as the new Dell WD19TB dock), but that's because they use a relatively new Thunderbolt controller chip from Intel that enables that. Most Thunderbolt 3 peripherals currently on the market do not work at all with regular USB-C systems, other than being able to provide power if they happen to offer that (e.g Thunderbolt 3 docks), since even Thunderbolt 3 devices provide power over regular USB Power Delivery.