Dell TB16 and Dell WD15 both are both devices used for connecting multiple devices to the Laptop without actually connecting them directly to the Laptop. These are known as docking stations.
Dell TB16 is an AC adapter that supports thunderbolt 3 technology only. This can connect peripherals such as external hard drives or mouses or keyboards or large screen displays etc. Without connecting all the things directly to the laptop. With the help of just one Type-C cable, if connected to a Laptop or PC, it can connect all the other devices.
Dell WD15 is an Ac adapter that can support the Display port over USB – C alternate mode or thunderbolt 3. Dell WD15 makes it possible to access other external devices without directly connecting them to the laptop or PC.
Dell TB16 vs WD15
The main difference between Dell TB16 and Dell WD15 is that one supports thunderbolt technology only while the other can USB – C alternate mode as well. Both docking stations have the same number of display support which is three but have a big difference in resolution and compatibility.
Dell TB16 has much more resolution in the case of the display. For a single display, we get 5120 x 2880 at 60 Hz. For dual display, we get 3840 x 2160 at 60 Hz, and lastly, for triple display, we get 2560 x 1600 at 60 Hz. The operating system is Linux, Windows with no UASP support. In Dell TB16, any DC Input power is not applicable.
Dell WD15 has much less resolution for display in comparison. For a single display, we get 3840 x 2160 at 30 Hz. For dual display, we get 2560 x 1600 at 60 Hz, and lastly, for triple display, we get 1280 x 1024 at 60 Hz. The operating system is of Linux Windows with no UASP support as well. Dell WD15 has a DC input power of 19.5 VDC at 3.34 A.
Comparison Table Between Dell TB16 and WD15
| Parameters of Comparison | Dell TB16 | Dell WD15 |
| Audio | Headphone with a line out | Headphone and microphone combo with output |
| Connection | The system is connected by a 1 x Thunderbolt 3 Type-C cable | The system is connected by 1 x Mini DisplayPort Female |
| Interface Data rate | Maximum Interface Data rate is 5 Gb/s | The maximum Interface data rate is 40 Gb/s |
| Power | Maximum power consumption for Dell TB16 is 180 W with AC adapters | Maximum power consumption for WD15 is 130 W with no AC adapter |
| Weight | The weight of TB16 is 26.1 oz or 740g | The weight of WD15 is 14.9 oz or422.42g |
What is Dell TB16?
Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB16 is a device that is used to connect all the needed but external devices to the Laptop or PC without making a series of messy wires. With the use of a single Thunderbolt 3, which is a C-type cable, it helps connect all the other external electronic devices.
Firstly all other external devices like keyboard, mouse, external hard drive, speakers, a screen display or any other technologies are connected to the docking station in a proper way. Then with the help of just one type-c cable, it can be connected to the Laptop or PC.
There are 1 mini Displayport, 1 Displayport, 1 HDMI, 1 VGA, 1 Thunderbolt 3 port. Along with this, we get 1 headset connector, 1 microphone connector, 1 Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45), and different USB ports. The power or Dc-in is 7.4 mm.
Problems like no video on the monitor attached or video on the attached monitor are flickering and distorted, or problems in audio or any USB port is not working might come. But all these problems are fixable with help. This performs as one of the best docking systems.
What is Dell WD15?
Dell Docking station WD15 is also a docking station that also helps in connecting other external devices. Dell WD15 also helps in connecting the external devices to the laptop or PC with a USB-c cable interface. Along with Thunderbolt 3 technology, this also supports Display Port over USB-c alternate mode.
Dell WD15 is compatible with Dell laptops which have a USB-c port and also support Display Port over USB-c alternate mode or thunderbolt 3. This does not work with all USB-c ports. Dell WD15 have 1 mini Display Port, 1 HDMI and 1 VGA port.
In Dell WD15, we also get 1 audio line-out, 1 headphone or microphone. For network ports, we get 1 Gigabit Ethernet. In USB ports, we get 2 USB 3.0 ports where one is with Power Share USB, 1 USB 3.0 port and 2 USB 2.0.
Every technology has problems, and this docking station with problems like video on the attached monitor is flickering and distorted, or no video on the monitor attached or problem in audio or any USB port is not working might come. This docking station is also put under one of the best docking stations with some different features from Dell TB16.
Main Differences Between Dell TB16 and WD15
- Dell TB16 have a much higher resolution than WD15, as we can see.
- Dell TB16 is seen to consume more power of 180W while on the other hand WD15 is seen to consume less power than 130W
- The weight of Dell TB16 is seen to be 740g, while on the other hand, Dell WD15 weights 422.42g.
- In Dell TB16, we see more ports which are 5, while on the other hand, for Dell WD15, we get 3 video ports.
- The feature of the audio and network port is the same, but the feature of USB varies. Dell TB16 have 6 USB ports, while Dell WD15 have 5 USB ports.
- Dell TB16 only works for a system that supports Thunderbolt 3 technology, while for Dell WD15, it only works if the technology supports either Display Port over USB-c alternate mode or Thunderbolt 3.
Conclusion
Dell TB16 and WD15 are both very useful and trusted docking stations. Every person has their priority which mainly makes every product different. Both of these are docking station that helps connect the external technology to the Laptop or PC.
But both this technology have different features which are to be decided based on the needs. One has 6 USB ports while the other has 5 USB ports. One has high power consumption while the other consume less. Choosing a product always depend on the need of the customer.
References
- https://reviewfinder.com/top-laptop-docking-stations/dell-thunderbolt-tb16-vs-dell-wd15/
- https://www.delltechnologies.com/asset/en-us/products/electronics-and-accessories/technical-support/dell-wd15-tb16-tb18dc-commercial-docking-compatibility-guide.pdf
- https://www.delltechnologies.com/asset/en-us/products/electronics-and-accessories/technical-support/dell-wd15-tb16-tb18dc-commercial-docking-compatibility-guide.pdf