USB-C - deal breaker?

[David]

I'm shopping for a friend to get a replacement laptop.

I am struggling with the differences in USB port specifications.

My latest laptop, a Dell XPS 9315. has 2 USB-C ports, one of which is used
for charging.
No other connections, use adapters!
So more expense.

The Dell Inspiron 3520 from Dell Outlet, on the other hand, has 2 * USB
3.2 amongst other things.

What would my friend lose by having USB 3.2 instead of USB-C (assuming use
of adapters)?
For a low intensity home user it it worth having at least one USB-C?

Cheers



Dave R

[Theo]

Post by David
I'm shopping for a friend to get a replacement laptop.
I am struggling with the differences in USB port specifications.
My latest laptop, a Dell XPS 9315. has 2 USB-C ports, one of which is used
for charging.
No other connections, use adapters!
So more expense.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 from Dell Outlet, on the other hand, has 2 * USB
3.2 amongst other things.
What would my friend lose by having USB 3.2 instead of USB-C (assuming use
of adapters)?
For a low intensity home user it it worth having at least one USB-C?

It appears the 3520 has no USB-C ports. That means you can't charge from
any random USB-C charger (of sufficient wattage) you have lying around, you
have to drag around the proprietary Dell charger.

USB-C has changed the way I charge - I have various chargers dotted around
the place and plug into the nearest one to charge
phone/tablet/laptop/earphones/etc. That means I don't have to go rummaging
about for mains plugs. It also means you can use any charger if the Dell
one breaks (as one of mine did).

For data, most of the time you can buy USB-C to X cables, eg if you need
micro USB for some widget don't use an adapter just buy a USB-C to microUSB
cable. Simple adapters are annoying but cheap, for eg USB sticks which have
a USB-A built in. Fancier adapters (HDMI, ethernet, etc) are more
expensive but you only really need those if you want those outputs.

Thin and light laptops tend to use USB-C because the port is smaller than a
USB-A. Larger laptops can have more dedicated ports (charger, USB-A, HDMI,
SD reader, ethernet, ...) but there's not space on smaller machines.

USB-C allows video (Displayport) and Thunderbolt (high speed peripherals
like eGPUs) which you can't do over USB-A. It allows use with docking
stations where you can plug into charger, monitor, network with one cable.

A home user might not be using it for high intensity things, but still
appreciate being able to plug into the same charger as their phone or use it
both on a desk with a monitor and then easily take it somewhere.

Personally I'd look for a mix of USB-C and at least one USB-A port, but I
don't use laptops with USB-A any more and it's fine.

Theo

[GB]

Post by Theo

Post by David
I'm shopping for a friend to get a replacement laptop.
I am struggling with the differences in USB port specifications.
My latest laptop, a Dell XPS 9315. has 2 USB-C ports, one of which is used
for charging.
No other connections, use adapters!
So more expense.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 from Dell Outlet, on the other hand, has 2 * USB
3.2 amongst other things.
What would my friend lose by having USB 3.2 instead of USB-C (assuming use
of adapters)?
For a low intensity home user it it worth having at least one USB-C?

It appears the 3520 has no USB-C ports. That means you can't charge from
any random USB-C charger (of sufficient wattage) you have lying around, you
have to drag around the proprietary Dell charger.
USB-C has changed the way I charge - I have various chargers dotted around
the place and plug into the nearest one to charge
phone/tablet/laptop/earphones/etc. That means I don't have to go rummaging
about for mains plugs. It also means you can use any charger if the Dell
one breaks (as one of mine did).
For data, most of the time you can buy USB-C to X cables, eg if you need
micro USB for some widget don't use an adapter just buy a USB-C to microUSB
cable. Simple adapters are annoying but cheap, for eg USB sticks which have
a USB-A built in. Fancier adapters (HDMI, ethernet, etc) are more
expensive but you only really need those if you want those outputs.
Thin and light laptops tend to use USB-C because the port is smaller than a
USB-A. Larger laptops can have more dedicated ports (charger, USB-A, HDMI,
SD reader, ethernet, ...) but there's not space on smaller machines.
USB-C allows video (Displayport) and Thunderbolt (high speed peripherals
like eGPUs) which you can't do over USB-A. It allows use with docking
stations where you can plug into charger, monitor, network with one cable.
A home user might not be using it for high intensity things, but still
appreciate being able to plug into the same charger as their phone or use it
both on a desk with a monitor and then easily take it somewhere.
Personally I'd look for a mix of USB-C and at least one USB-A port, but I
don't use laptops with USB-A any more and it's fine.
Theo

USB-C is going to be in place for the foreseeable future. I don't think
I'd buy any new USB-A gear. It feels very Betamax! :)

[Richard Kettlewell]

Post by David
I'm shopping for a friend to get a replacement laptop.
I am struggling with the differences in USB port specifications.
My latest laptop, a Dell XPS 9315. has 2 USB-C ports, one of which is used
for charging.
No other connections, use adapters!
So more expense.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 from Dell Outlet, on the other hand, has 2 * USB
3.2 amongst other things.
What would my friend lose by having USB 3.2 instead of USB-C (assuming
use of adapters)? For a low intensity home user it it worth having at
least one USB-C?

If the laptop is on the move a lot remember that the 3520 has some kind
of external power brick to drag around, while a USB-powered laptop just
needs a USB-C plug (or not even that if you can rely on one being in
place already). Total weight may (or may not) matter more than £10-20 on
the budget.

Thinking about use case would help too. A travel laptop might need
nothing more than power. A work setup might need keyboard, mouse,
camera, headphones and one or more external monitors.

[Chris]

Post by David
I'm shopping for a friend to get a replacement laptop.
I am struggling with the differences in USB port specifications.
My latest laptop, a Dell XPS 9315. has 2 USB-C ports, one of which is used
for charging.
No other connections, use adapters!
So more expense.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 from Dell Outlet, on the other hand, has 2 * USB
3.2 amongst other things.
What would my friend lose by having USB 3.2 instead of USB-C (assuming use
of adapters)?
For a low intensity home user it it worth having at least one USB-C?

I think you need to look up the difference between USB-1/2/3 and USB-A/B/C

They are different things. The former is a set of protocols and the latter
is the design of the port.

So your friend's choice isn't between USB 3.2 and USB-C. What ports does it
actually have?

[David]

Post by David
I'm shopping for a friend to get a replacement laptop.
I am struggling with the differences in USB port specifications.
My latest laptop, a Dell XPS 9315. has 2 USB-C ports, one of which is
used for charging.
No other connections, use adapters!
So more expense.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 from Dell Outlet, on the other hand, has 2 * USB
3.2 amongst other things.
What would my friend lose by having USB 3.2 instead of USB-C (assuming
use of adapters)?
For a low intensity home user it it worth having at least one USB-C?

Thanks for all the responses.

Came across a deal for a 13" Dell XPS, USB-C only, but looked very good
value.
Bluetooth mouse required.

Waiting to find the hidden "gotcha".

Cheers



Dave R

[GB]

Post by David

Post by David
I'm shopping for a friend to get a replacement laptop.
I am struggling with the differences in USB port specifications.
My latest laptop, a Dell XPS 9315. has 2 USB-C ports, one of which is
used for charging.
No other connections, use adapters!
So more expense.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 from Dell Outlet, on the other hand, has 2 * USB
3.2 amongst other things.
What would my friend lose by having USB 3.2 instead of USB-C (assuming
use of adapters)?
For a low intensity home user it it worth having at least one USB-C?

Thanks for all the responses.
Came across a deal for a 13" Dell XPS, USB-C only, but looked very good
value.
Bluetooth mouse required.
Waiting to find the hidden "gotcha".

Do you have a linky, please? Or, it's a one-off? I'm looking for a new
laptop.

Post by David
Cheers
Dave R

[David]

Post by GB

Post by David

Post by David
I'm shopping for a friend to get a replacement laptop.
I am struggling with the differences in USB port specifications.
My latest laptop, a Dell XPS 9315. has 2 USB-C ports, one of which is
used for charging.
No other connections, use adapters!
So more expense.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 from Dell Outlet, on the other hand, has 2 *
USB 3.2 amongst other things.
What would my friend lose by having USB 3.2 instead of USB-C (assuming
use of adapters)?
For a low intensity home user it it worth having at least one USB-C?

Thanks for all the responses.
Came across a deal for a 13" Dell XPS, USB-C only, but looked very good
value.
Bluetooth mouse required.
Waiting to find the hidden "gotcha".

Do you have a linky, please? Or, it's a one-off? I'm looking for a new
laptop.

<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6G46WYQ?th=1>
I linked through from the "Retailers" part of the Which? review.

So far I haven't spotted the hidden flaw.

Low specification for an XPS, but looks a good price.

Cheers



Dave R

[Theo]

Post by David
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6G46WYQ?th=1>
I linked through from the "Retailers" part of the Which? review.
So far I haven't spotted the hidden flaw.

CPU is 'ok', lower end and two generations old but it could be worse. At
this price bracket you can't be too choosy.

LPDDR5 RAM so very likely to non-upgradeable. That means you're stuck with
8GB.

Seems like the SSD is soldered too:
https://dl.dell.com/content/manual46406456-xps-13-9315-xps-9315-service-manual.pdf

Reviews say the webcam is poor too.

Post by David
Low specification for an XPS, but looks a good price.

Depends if the out of the box spec is acceptable, as you won't be able to
improve it (unless you have external SSDs or similar).

Theo

[GB]

Post by Theo

Post by David
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6G46WYQ?th=1>
I linked through from the "Retailers" part of the Which? review.
So far I haven't spotted the hidden flaw.

CPU is 'ok', lower end and two generations old but it could be worse. At
this price bracket you can't be too choosy.
LPDDR5 RAM so very likely to non-upgradeable. That means you're stuck with
8GB.
https://dl.dell.com/content/manual46406456-xps-13-9315-xps-9315-service-manual.pdf
Reviews say the webcam is poor too.

Post by David
Low specification for an XPS, but looks a good price.

Depends if the out of the box spec is acceptable, as you won't be able to
improve it (unless you have external SSDs or similar).
Theo

Google found the same machine for £200 less, and with 16GB RAM. Too good
to be true?

https://esupply.co.uk/dell-xps-13-9315-i5-1230u-16gb-512ssd-13-2-in-1-touch-sky-no-kb-w11h64-1yr-pro/

[David]

Post by GB

Post by Theo

Post by David
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6G46WYQ?th=1>
I linked through from the "Retailers" part of the Which? review.
So far I haven't spotted the hidden flaw.

CPU is 'ok', lower end and two generations old but it could be worse.
At this price bracket you can't be too choosy.
LPDDR5 RAM so very likely to non-upgradeable. That means you're stuck
with 8GB.
https://dl.dell.com/content/manual46406456-xps-13-9315-xps-9315-service-

manual.pdf

Post by GB

Post by Theo
Reviews say the webcam is poor too.

Post by David
Low specification for an XPS, but looks a good price.

Depends if the out of the box spec is acceptable, as you won't be able
to improve it (unless you have external SSDs or similar).
Theo

Google found the same machine for £200 less, and with 16GB RAM. Too good
to be true?
https://esupply.co.uk/dell-xps-13-9315-i5-1230u-16gb-512ssd-13-2-in-1-

touch-sky-no-kb-w11h64-1yr-pro/

That looks nothing like my XPS 13!

No KB? As in keyboard?

I would suggest that this is a dodgy listing through ignorance or
something worse.

Cheers



Dave R

[David]

Post by Theo

Post by GB

Post by Theo

Post by David
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6G46WYQ?th=1>
I linked through from the "Retailers" part of the Which? review.
So far I haven't spotted the hidden flaw.

CPU is 'ok', lower end and two generations old but it could be worse.
At this price bracket you can't be too choosy.
LPDDR5 RAM so very likely to non-upgradeable. That means you're stuck
with 8GB.
https://dl.dell.com/content/manual46406456-xps-13-9315-xps-9315-

service-

Post by Theo
manual.pdf

Post by GB

Post by Theo
Reviews say the webcam is poor too.

Post by David
Low specification for an XPS, but looks a good price.

Depends if the out of the box spec is acceptable, as you won't be able
to improve it (unless you have external SSDs or similar).
Theo

Google found the same machine for £200 less, and with 16GB RAM. Too
good to be true?
https://esupply.co.uk/dell-xps-13-9315-i5-1230u-16gb-512ssd-13-2-in-1-

touch-sky-no-kb-w11h64-1yr-pro/
That looks nothing like my XPS 13!
No KB? As in keyboard?
I would suggest that this is a dodgy listing through ignorance or
something worse.

Looking at it again this seems to be a 2 in 1 (that is, a tablet which can
attach to a keyboard to make it a "laptop")

No keyboard I assume means that this is only the tablet part.

No longer available from Dell.

Cheers



Dave R

[Theo]

Post by David
Looking at it again this seems to be a 2 in 1 (that is, a tablet which can
attach to a keyboard to make it a "laptop")
No keyboard I assume means that this is only the tablet part.
No longer available from Dell.

There are a lot of machines called the 'XPS 13' so normally it's the number
that distinguishes them. But it appears there's an 'XPS 13 9315 laptop':
https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-uk/product-support/product/xps-13-9315-laptop/docs
and an
'XPS 13 9315 2-in-1 laptop':
https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/dell-laptops/new-xps-13-2-in-1-laptop/spd/xps-13-9315-2-in-1-laptop

which appear to be different. Quite braindead on Dell's part.

Theo

[GB]

Post by Theo

Post by Theo

Post by GB

Post by Theo

Post by David
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6G46WYQ?th=1>
I linked through from the "Retailers" part of the Which? review.
So far I haven't spotted the hidden flaw.

CPU is 'ok', lower end and two generations old but it could be worse.
At this price bracket you can't be too choosy.
LPDDR5 RAM so very likely to non-upgradeable. That means you're stuck
with 8GB.
https://dl.dell.com/content/manual46406456-xps-13-9315-xps-9315-

service-

Post by Theo
manual.pdf

Post by GB

Post by Theo
Reviews say the webcam is poor too.

Post by David
Low specification for an XPS, but looks a good price.

Depends if the out of the box spec is acceptable, as you won't be able
to improve it (unless you have external SSDs or similar).
Theo

Google found the same machine for £200 less, and with 16GB RAM. Too
good to be true?
https://esupply.co.uk/dell-xps-13-9315-i5-1230u-16gb-512ssd-13-2-in-1-

touch-sky-no-kb-w11h64-1yr-pro/
That looks nothing like my XPS 13!
No KB? As in keyboard?
I would suggest that this is a dodgy listing through ignorance or
something worse.

Looking at it again this seems to be a 2 in 1 (that is, a tablet which can
attach to a keyboard to make it a "laptop")
No keyboard I assume means that this is only the tablet part.

All very true. On the other hand, it's the same processor as yours, and
16GB of RAM. I really don't think it's a good idea to buy an 8GB
machine, where you can't upgrade the RAM.

You can presumably add any bluetooth or USB keyboard of your choice, and
it looks like it might be pretty capable.

Post by Theo
No longer available from Dell.
Cheers
Dave R

[GB]

Post by Theo

Post by Theo

Post by GB

Post by Theo

Post by David
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6G46WYQ?th=1>
I linked through from the "Retailers" part of the Which? review.
So far I haven't spotted the hidden flaw.

CPU is 'ok', lower end and two generations old but it could be worse.
At this price bracket you can't be too choosy.
LPDDR5 RAM so very likely to non-upgradeable. That means you're stuck
with 8GB.
https://dl.dell.com/content/manual46406456-xps-13-9315-xps-9315-

service-

Post by Theo
manual.pdf

Post by GB

Post by Theo
Reviews say the webcam is poor too.

Post by David
Low specification for an XPS, but looks a good price.

Depends if the out of the box spec is acceptable, as you won't be able
to improve it (unless you have external SSDs or similar).
Theo

Google found the same machine for £200 less, and with 16GB RAM. Too
good to be true?
https://esupply.co.uk/dell-xps-13-9315-i5-1230u-16gb-512ssd-13-2-in-1-

touch-sky-no-kb-w11h64-1yr-pro/
That looks nothing like my XPS 13!
No KB? As in keyboard?
I would suggest that this is a dodgy listing through ignorance or
something worse.

Looking at it again this seems to be a 2 in 1 (that is, a tablet which can
attach to a keyboard to make it a "laptop")
No keyboard I assume means that this is only the tablet part.
No longer available from Dell.
Cheers
Dave R

I've been taking a very old laptop with me when I travel, so I've bought
the 2-in-1.

The one I linked to doesn't have a keyboard, but they can supply that
for an extra £24. I had to ring them up to get that, as I couldn't find
it on the website.

Hopefully, it will last for a few years.

[Andy Burns]

Post by David
That looks nothing like my XPS 13!

As well as the XPS13 laptop, there is an XPS13 2-in-1, which is more of
a tablet with a keyboard like a MS Surface.