Spectre USB-C travel dock - maybe I'm being dim but how will it power my HP Spectre x360?

[Martin_SoA]

Hi - I've just bought a HP Spectre x360 15-df0002na 4K in a bundle with a Spectre USB-C travel dock.

I'm very happy with the laptop but although I've connected the travel dock and have it set up with my screen via HDMI, there is nothing to power the laptop through the travel dock. At the moment, I still have to connect the power adaptor that came with the Spectre, which is one cable more than I thought I'd need to use.

Was there a component missing in the travel dock box? Should it have included a power adaptor? There was no indication that I would need to purchase any other components to be able to power my Spectre through the travel dock. Or am I missing something obvious here?!

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Yes the laws of physics do not allow a block of plastic and metal to create electricity otherwise I think all our environmental and energy problems would be solved, right? You have to put power into the dock to get power out of the dock so if you have two USB-C ports and the charging port is not the only Thunderbolt port it makes little difference if you plug the dock and the power directly into the laptop. I looked up the travel dock and looked at some pictures and it looks like there is a USB-C port on the opposite end of the dock from where the cable emerges. So you plug your AC adapter in there and then if you have only one port on the laptop that does Thunderbolt and accepts an incoming charge you have both covered. 

seems to be a USB-C port on the left side of the device

If there is no input for a USB-C or other charger then I am as baffled as you are. If this answers your question please accept as solution to help others with the same question find this info, too. 

[Martin_SoA]

Many thanks for this @Huffer - and yep, while I wasn't expecting to be able to bend the physics of power generation here, I was at least expecting for £119.99 that the product would include its own power supply. Ah well - I guess I'll need to purchase one separately.

[Huffer]

You can of course use the one that came with the laptop. 

[Fellwalker]

Not dim at all.  I have the same issue, but I didn't buy the adapter because it didn't suit our laptop.  Our model of laptop has a 135W charger.  The Spectre USB-C Travel Dock is designed for the 13 inch version, and in the specifications it very clearly says "AC adapter of 65W or less". 135W is clearly higher than 65W. HOW ARE THESE COMPATIBLE?   In my view, I was not prepared to risk the dock melting or setting on fire becasue it was unable to handle the power.

I don't see how "use the adapter that came with the laptop" is a solution.

Check my post https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/What-USB-C-dock-fits-the-Spect...

My question has been escalated and I'm awaiting a response.

[Huffer]

@Fellwalker 

You are right. The dock takes maximum 65w power input and your laptop uses a 135w adapter. I do not believe there is a 135w USB-C adapter. Yours is a barrel type and there is no port on the dock for such an adapter, right? 

So the dock needs a 65w USB-C charger. If you connect such a charger to the dock and then connect the dock to the laptop I think it would charge the battery (slowly) while the laptop is off but I wonder about the long-term implications of trying to use the dock to power the laptop while it is on. 

[Fellwalker]

I have had confirmation by way of a phone call from HP Technical Support, that the dock is semi-compatible with the 15" 4K Spectre x360.  It works as a dock FROM the laptop for power, so you could charge a phone but it cannot be used to charge the laptop. It works with peripherals for data both ways.

If you had a USB-PD supply (we think those come with some models of 13" Spectre) you could probably use it to charge the laptop whilst said laptop was off or asleep.  There are reports of other docks with lower USB-PD power supplies being able to charge whilst off.

Apparently the thunderbolt/ charging port on our laptop has a maximum capacity of 100W, so it is highly recommended to charge the laptop directly using its dedicated charger.

I have asked them to correct the listing for the travel dock to explain this - could have a long wait.