We have recently been purchasing Dell WD22TB4 USB dock‘s for our clients and have had some of them ask why they need to upgrade from their awesome Dell D6000 docks. In a word, power (specifically electricity, not capability). The D6000 only outputs 65 watts of power but many newer high end laptops need as much as 120 watts. If you use an underpowered dock, the machine will run but:
- laptops will often boot to a warning screen indicating it is not receiving enough electricity
- this will confuse and scare many end users
- add on devices that take electricity from the laptop, like USB drives, may not work
Of course, the relentless march of technology continued so the much newer Dell WD22TB4 USB dock has many other improvements our customers like. To simplify the discussion we made this comparison table:
| Feature | Dell D6000 (Universal Dock) | Dell WD22TB4 (Thunderbolt 4 Dock) |
| Core Technology | DisplayLink (software-based video compression) | Thunderbolt 4 (hardware-based, high bandwidth) |
| Connectivity | USB-C (with USB-A adapter) | Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C connector for host) |
| Compatibility | Broad (any USB-A 3.0 or USB-C) | Best with Thunderbolt 4, also USB-C with Alt Mode |
| Video Quality | Good, but relies on DisplayLink drivers | Superior, native video output, lower latency |
| Max Displays | 3x 4K @ 60Hz (USB-C), 1x 5K @ 60Hz (USB-C) | 4x 4K @ 60Hz, 2x 6K @ 60Hz, 1x 8K @ 60Hz |
| Power Delivery | Up to 65W (USB-C) | Up to 130W (Dell), 90W (non-Dell) |
| Data Transfer | USB 3.1 Gen 1 speeds (up to 5Gbps) | Thunderbolt 4 speeds (up to 40Gbps) |
| USB Type-A Ports | 3x SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports |
| USB Type-C Ports | 1x USB-C (data only, with PowerShare) | 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports (for peripherals/data/video), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode |
| Features | Universal compatibility but needs DisplayLink drivers | Modular design, faster charging, higher bandwidth, daisy-chaining, advanced security features (with Dell systems) |
| Release Date | September 2017 | June 2022 |
Here is a video review we created about a year ago:
The D6000 remains a highly versatile and cost-effective option for more general use cases and currently has broader compatibility if you want to go through the effort of keeping the DisplayLink drivers updated. In contrast, the WD22TB4 is a more powerful and modern dock that leverages the advanced capabilities of Thunderbolt 4, offering superior performance for demanding setups.
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