Considerations about purchasing a Dell XPS 17 laptop?
Considerations about purchasing a Dell XPS 17 laptop?
Hello everyone,
I’m considering buying the XPS 17 laptop and would appreciate some feedback on this device. My main plans are for high-quality video viewing and gaming. However, I’ve started to think about a potential problem: the laptop only has USB-C ports, not USB 2.0 or 3.0. This makes it difficult to connect a mouse or keyboard, even a standard USB stick. It’s frustrating because many laptops, including the XPS 17 and XPS 15, have USB-C ports, and I find it strange that this model has four USB 3.0 ports. Why would there be so many USB-C ports on a laptop? Also, how can I use a mouse if I can’t connect a dongle or a wired mouse that also uses USB? I understand you can buy dongles, but why would you need four USB-C ports when a standard port could suffice?
Sorry for the rant, but I just don’t get why there are four USB C ports when it seems unnecessary.
If its the future of USB ports, then why are there no USB-C mice or keyboards available today?
If you wish to utilize a mouse and keyboard on the XPS 17 laptop, the optimal method involves configuring the system settings to support external input devices.
Other options include similar products like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Thunderbo...B071S2V5JG
Or a hub, such as this:
https://www.amazon.com/Compact-Adapter-M...B0835L59N2
or a docking station, though those prices vary widely from $40 to just over 300...
We purchased one of our cad members a Dell Precision with only USB-C ports. We connected a few USB-C to four USB 3.0 hubs. It includes a wireless dongle for his keyboard and mouse, a USB to Ethernet dongle, and a 3Dconnections SpaceMouse all powered through that USB-C hub. USB-C ports are incredibly versatile—they can charge the laptop, support monitors, USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet, and charging from a single port. This setup is definitely the future.
I get how it works to find a USB 2.0 mouse or keyboard and connect it to a USB C port. But... I still don't grasp the reason behind having four USB C ports on the XPS 17. Even some other laptops switch all USB 2.0/3.0 ports to USB C. Let's focus on the XPS 17, which I'm considering buying. It has four USB type C ports overall. My question is, why would you need four USB type C ports for this? Wouldn't it be more practical to have just one USB type C port for charging, since USB C supports fast charging? What purpose would the remaining three ports serve? Since you can't connect a regular mouse, keyboard, or any USB device without an adapter...
My idea is that having one USB type C port for charging makes more sense. Then the other three could be used for standard USB 2.0/3.0 connections for regular mice and other devices. There are no keyboard or mouse ports available on the market, so it seems like a lot of space is being wasted. Please tell me why they added four USB type C ports?
Wouldn't it make sense to consider purchasing additional peripherals when buying a high-end laptop? It seems unusual that manufacturers would eliminate USB 2.0/3.0 ports in favor of USB Type C, especially since most users already rely on mice and adapters for standard tasks. The idea of having four USB Type C ports on a single device feels unnecessary given the current charging needs. Additionally, it’s hard to justify why such ports would be included when most peripherals can be connected via a single adapter. It seems more practical to focus on essential accessories rather than overcomplicating the setup.
Daniel, if it's any consolation, the Dell XPS 17 ships with two adapters - a USB-C to USB-A and an HDMI v2.0. You'll still need another one for Ethernet.
I agree with your rant - one or two Thunderbolt 4 ports is plenty. It makes a laptop a lot less convenient and portable when you need to remember to take all your adapters or a docking station with you when you're out 'n' about.