Using a Dell TB16 on a computer without USB-C

I own a dell TB16 dock. This dock is attached to my laptop via usb-c. Now, I would occasionally like to attach an older laptop (older as in: from 2015, right before USB-C was by default integrated in business machines).

For this, I would need to be able to connect this dock through a usb-a 3 (or 3.1) port. Does anyone know if this is possible at all? Would an adapter like https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01C43FUIW/ref=crt_ewc_title_gw_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AMUN6OW4OKOC5 work for that?

BartBog

Posted 2018-08-13T09:28:26.850

Reputation: 63

1The TB series of docks requires Thunderbolt. – Daniel B – 2018-08-13T10:50:58.157

But would it provide certain functionality over "simple" USB3? Simple funcitonality of a USB3 dock? – BartBog – 2018-08-13T13:50:59.913

Guess I'll probably just buy a D6000 – BartBog – 2018-08-13T14:28:43.667

Answers

Let me start with a few basic explanations.

USB-C is a form factor for a connector. It does not require you to use USB on it, in fact, you may:

Have an USB-C connector running USB 1 only, with co capability for anything else. Sounds insane but according to spec this is legal.
Have an USB-C connector running USB 2 only. Not that old, and you can sell it as having USB-C to drive up sales.
Have an USB-C connector running USB 3 or 3.1 gen 1 (both same 5GB/sec).
Have an USB-C connector running USB 3 gen 2 (10Mbit/sec signaling)
Have an USB-C connector for thunderbolt 3, which is not USB. TB is like PCI-e lanes on a cable. It has cables for this, but it can also use alternate modes which may provide USB or Displayport.

The last point (5) makes things nicely and confusing. It looks like USB, it acts like USB, .... and it can do something completely different.

Now your Dell TB16 is a thunderbolt dock. Finding a physical cable or plug which converts from the USB-C form to classic USB plugs is not going to help here.

You either need a dock with different requirements, or add TB to your laptop. The first is probably easiest.

Hennes

Posted 2018-08-13T09:28:26.850

Reputation: 60 739

Thanks for the detailed answer. However, even so, an adapter of thunderbolt to USB-A 3.1 might exist, no? It would not just be a "form factor changer", but it would require some smarts, e.g., a chip to decode the thunderbolt signal and re-encode it as a USB 3.1or USB3.0 compatible signal.

Of course, some restrictions on what content can be encoded into a usb3.1 compatible signal applies...

I mean: conceptually, my TB16 sends display informatoin, input info (keyboard and mouse), network info, ... All of which can be sent over USB-A as well... Or do I miss something? – BartBog – 2019-02-25T14:26:08.260

An adaptor from thudnerbolt to USB is trivial. That is just a fancy version of an PCI-e based USB card. The verses is much harder. You start with a relative slow interface (at most USB 3.1 gen 2, but probably gen 1) and you want to provide connectivity worth at least 3x that speed + alternate output lines (e.g. the graphics). Getting a second modern laptop is likely cheaper than the magic bullet which does that. – Hennes – 2019-02-26T19:54:24.277

-1

I was able to use my dock by using a USB 3 to USB-c adapter. The computer installed the correct drivers and functioned normally. However, I was unable to charge the laptop and had to use a separate Power brick for power purposes. Monitors, networking and USB devices connected through the dock all worked normally.

Machine in question was a Latitude 6540 and TB16. The USB3 to USB-c adapter came with another Dell Dock, I believe it was a D6000. I don't recall if the dock power button would power up the laptop, though.

William

Posted 2018-08-13T09:28:26.850

Reputation: 1