Shopping for a computer. I was going to buy an XPS I had my eye on for a long time, but it is now discontinued! So back to the drawing board.
One question I have, besides the Windows 11 Home vs. Pro I already posted, is:
My understanding is that USB-C is the latest and greatest. But why does this Dell Tower Plus says: " 1. USB 3.2 Type-C Gen 2 (no video/audio output)"?
What does it mean to me that it doesn’t have video/audio? That seems odd.
Thanks,
Rick
USB started in the 1990s (Win 95 or so) and has moved into faster speeds as tech has improved.
This link gives a lot of the relevant info.
https://tripplite.eaton.com/products/usb-connectivity-types-standards
I’m going to speculate a bit, so don’t take this as gospel. But first I must go on interminably about my setup.
My current computer is a laptop. I have the screen open, but I use a large external monitor that maps as next to that screen. I use a wired keyboard. I have two external drives connected, and a label printer. I have external speakers. The power supply cables for it that came with the laptop are in my travel bag, not connected to it. There is no ethernet connected to the laptop, and it is not on WiFi.
The ethernet, monitor, keyboard, sound, external drives and label printer are not plugged into the laptop. They are plugged into a Kensington Dock, which connects to the laptop with a single USB-C cable. That cable carries everything; power, video, sound, external drives, keyboard… everything.
So, returning to your question, I suspect that (no video/audio output) means you could not use such a docking station to connect to a monitor or speakers.
Returning, interminably, back to my own setup. . .
I used to assemble my computers from parts; case, power supply, motherboard, and so on. But I don’t need the capabilities that makes possible - particularly fancy video performance - so I went in the opposite direction and bought a laptop last time, and the dock. I am not aware of this creating any sort of compromise for my usage. And when I need to take it with me, I unplug that single cable and put it in my travel bag, along with the mouse.
Hi @RHinCT,
Right idea, wrong pew. He is looking at a small tower.
The Dell graphic just means that particular port, bottom on the front, does not provide audio/video signals. The other USB ports should be Ok for use with video or audio devices.
No problem there! I find it interesting that that tiny connection provides everything compared to some of the 1990’s docking setups!
Since I have no need to “carry” my computer, I bought a Beelink SER8. Put Ubuntu 24 on it. The computer is about 5 1/2 inches square and 2 inches high. I have 6.5TB of SSD, 16GB memory, AMD Ryzen 7 (8 core/16 thread) cpu. It is cool to the touch and absolutely quiet.
My only complaint is the radio stuff is weak. Connection for Wifi network is lower than my old system and Bluetooth signal is also weaker. I start losing signal on my headphones at about 5-6 feet. On my old system, I could go to the kitchenette and get a drink (30 feet).
I still have my big black box on the desk, behind the monitor, but I haven’t booted it since the 28th of December.
Does that help you?
Gene
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Computer shopping is very complicated to me. I’ll just call Dell and tell them what I need and have them explain each item, to make sure it’s what will work for me.
For the USB-C, I was concerned that there is only one USB-C and it doesn’t handle audio/video. And I have no idea if that is something I would need. I suspect not. The other USB’s that do handle audio/video are the older USB-A.
And if USB-C is so much better than USB-A, why does this brand new computer have only ONE of the better ones and several of the USB-A’s? That seems odd to me.
I also don’t know what the 3.2 and 2.0 numbers mean.
My other issues are:
HDMI port - only one but I need two. I hate to use an adapter but I guess I would have to.
32GB ram. What’s the diff between 32 and 16x2? They have both choices for the same price.
Thanks,
Rick
Speed of the port. USB 2.0 is 12mb max. USB 3.2 is 10GB or 20GB (I forget which is correct–depends on the type of connector–Type A or Type C). A at one end, with C at the other, it is likely 10GB max. I have two USB port hubs (each hub with 7 USB A ports) that are 10GB/sec per port (A to C cable, can also handle A to A cable). Speed varies upon the device connected to each end. You can buy hubs that can connect the USB 3.2 (fastest you have) and have a variety of USB ports: 3.0, 3.1, and maybe one USB 3.2 port. Buy USB C cables rated for 40GB (not that expensive compared to slower cables) and they should handle 40GB/sec transfer if you have a USB4 or Lightning (same as USB4) and use the same cable (USB C rated at 40GB/sec). Look at the link I included in a previous reply, showing the meanings of the various Gen 1x1, 1x2, etc.
RHinCT
Not to hijack thread.. I like your setup, mind sharing the Kensington Dock model number? Thanks,
George
I’ve been looking at these new mini’s. How do you like yours? I bet its screaming fast with Ubuntu! Did you have any difficulty installing the OS? I have been looking for a new desktop and like the very small form factor of these types of computers. The only thing I wonder about is how reliable they will be. Also, I want something that supports 2 monitors…doc
I bought the dock in September 2021:
I imagine there are newer models now, and picking exactly the features you need is key.
The laptop sits off to the side, on the stand linked below, with the dock underneath, stuck to the stand base with 3M Command strips, the kind used for picture hanging.
Hi @physician,
Yes, it is quick. Right now, I am running 8 desktops with 34 applications running including 4 Firefox windows with 14 tabs open and 9 daemons that download quotes, run timed jobs, check system resources and processes, do background data processing, etc and I am using less that 1/3 of the memory and every click of the mouse is immediate.
One of the jobs is system backup at 2300 every night. A Full on the first of each month and Incremental on the other days. I do not even notice when the Full backup is running.
And a correction: 32GB memory. 16GB was my old system.
Since it came with an SSD, the BIOS was already correct. I loaded 3 versions and finally landed on XUbuntu. It had what I thought I needed but I found I wanted some gnome pieces like gedit, eog and gthumb. The tools provided like mousepad just did not operate the same. So I added the pieces I wanted using apt. I use xfce4 for the windowing system. It presents the desktops clearly and easier to navigate. (Between the tab with USS Utah and the Wifi symbol). I can drag a window on it to a different desktop. I can easily move from desktop to desktop with a click of the mouse.
It has DisplayPort and HDMI plus it can have a USB monitor for 3 total. I use one monitor, 34 inch at 2640X1440.
My only complaint is the weak radio interface. May just be mine …
Does that help you?
Gene
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Profile - gdett2 - Motley Fool Community (Click Expand)
