I use my laptop (Dell Inspiron 5480) both as a mobile device and as a desktop replacement. At home I hook up a USB keyboard, mouse, USB DAC, as well as ethernet and HDMI cables to it. Getting a docking station is a no brainer.
I bought a Dell WD15 docking station that connects to the laptop with USB-C and which uses its own 130W power brick. When I connect the docking station to the laptop using the USB-C cable the laptop “thinks” it’s plugged in or at least that’s what windows shows in the power settings.
My laptop’s manufacturer website shows the USB-C port is 5GBPs and “PD” (power delivery). The laptop came with a 65W power brick.
I am aware that if you underpower a laptop it throttles or does not work as well as when using a manufacturer-provided power adapter. Is there a way to determine if my laptop works slower because it’s hooked up only using the USB-C? I know USB-C can provide up to 100W of power but I’m not sure my laptop is capable of handling that and I’m not sure if the docking station can provide it.
