Can I use a Dell USB-C docking Station on my HP Spectre X360?

[Marc_Spectre360]

I sometimes work from home, and it's a pain switching laptops when I'm moving from work to personal tasks. I have an extra USB-C docking station for my Dell "Work" PC, which is 130W -19.5V - 6.7A but my HP (personal) charger is 90W-19.5V-4.62A. It would be extremely convenient if ONE docking station could work for both computers. This way, I don't have to switch out the wireless keyboard, mouse, and hookup the 2nd monitor, no extra cables, etc. Just hook up and go. I love my HP and don't want to cause an issue. Could that extra 2.5A feeding through the USB-C port cause a concern? Can I safely use this Dell WD-15USB C docking station ( Model K17A) to power/recharge both PC's?

[WAWood]

General rules of thumb with chargers are: if (1) the voltage matches, (2) the amperage of the new charger is at least as high as the old charger, (3) the plug is the same size, (4) the polarity of the plug is the same -- then the new charger will work OK.

In your case, 3 of these 4 match, only the amperage is greater.  But that rating is the Maximum amps the charger will supply.  Your laptop will only draw the amps it needs. So, if the charger can supply more amps than are needed, that is not an issue.

However ... these are only General Rules -- and not a guarantee that the dock will do no damage.  You can take the risk (I would in this situation) -- but it is your laptop, and you use an non-HP dock at your own risk.

[Marc_Spectre360]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I'm not sure what I'll do. I want the convenience, but don't want that to put my computer at risk .... Is there a better way to accomplish what I'm wanting to do ... have one dock station for 2 different brands of laptops? 

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@Marc_Spectre360 

If you're worried about the HP laptop and the Dell dock, if you connected the dock to an HP USB port, one that does NOT charge the HP laptop, you would get the connectivity of the dock without the risk of charging the HP.  You would just have to have both the dock and the HP plugged into the wall.

[Marc_Spectre360]

Thank you for your help .... I decided to take the risk and use it. So far so good! 

Thanks for your time.

Marc