USB Type C Port Confusion

[GuyFromMars]

HP needs to significantly improve their documentation for USB Type C as well as retrain employees. On my Envy x360, HP's product specs state "1 USB 3.1 Type-C™ Gen 1 (Data Transfer up to 5 Gb/s, Power Delivery, DisplayPort™ 1.2, HP Sleep and Charge). Now, what exactly does all that mean? Can I run HDMI over usb C, or only Display Port 1.2? How about Power Delivery? Does that mean I can charge the Laptop with compatible USB-PD charger &/or charge my Samsung Note 8 via USB-PD? Does it utilize PD 1.0, 2.0, 3.0? How does this differ from Thunderbolt 1, 2, 3? Great questions, right?

Well, before purchase the over the phone sales team didn't seem to know much & couldnt give me details. After purchase, I contacted Tech Support the tech actually gave me wrong info & was completely untrained on both the technical specifications or terminology (no one knew anything about Power Delivery). On another occasion, I was transferred to tier two tech that told me he couldn't help, but to contact sales!? A sales agent was able to explain *some* of the details via an internal doc, but nothing external that I can view. I skimmed through HP's official documentation & couldn't get any details. I am very disappointed & HP owes it to customers & their own agents to produce better documentation on USB C, especially because of all the various implementations. 

So, my main question is what do my laptop's specs mean for "Power Deliver?" Is this PD 1.0, 2.0, 3.0? Will it just charge my Samsung Note 8? Can I charge my laptop via USB-PD?

P.S. I happen to stumble across an HP support document, but that still doesn't clarify my laptops specs.

Thanks! 🙂

[EddyK]

Hello @GuyFromMars,

I'm sorry to hear about your confusions.

I'm currently developing a TKB article, essentially a guide, simplifying all this information so that consumers can digest it easier. 

The computer supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, and it can connect to various different video connectors such as HDMI, DP, or VGA. More info here. 

You just need to use USB-C adapters.

In terms of PD, unfortunately, I wasn't able to find whether or not it was PD 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0. Sorry.

However, according to the PowerDelivery protocols, bidirectional charging is supposed to be supported. I have been informed by an HP employee that HP PCs with a traditional barrel charging port cannot be charged through the USB-C port, but to be completely honest, this has already been debunked multiple times throughout this forum and multiple renowned laptop reviewers. Also, according to your computer's Maintenance and Service Guide, two USB-C AC adapters are recommended miscellaneous accessories so this greatly suggests the ability to charge. These were the two recommended accessories along with their part numbers:

65-W HP Smart AC adapter nPFC USB-C SLIM, 4.5-mm L24008-001

65-W HP Smart AC adapter nPFC USB-C SLIM, 4.5-mm L32925-001

Unfortunately, Thunderbolt 3 is not supported so you will miss out on features such as the theoretical 40 Gb/s data transfer speed or the ability to connect to an eGPU.

I have to agree that some of the HP agents, both on official contact support and on this forum are confused regarding this information. BTW I've never seen that document; seems pretty helpful.

Hope that helps,

Eddy

[GuyFromMars]

-Edit- I found the link. 

Very frustrating that HP doesn't have this straightened out. I'm ordering a 65W USB-PD charger to see if it works, after all HP lists Power Delivery on that port. I'm still shocked at the lack of documentation.

[GuyFromMars]

As an update, I can confirm that the HP Envy does support HDMI signal from the USB-C port, with apppropriate cable or hub. I can also sucessfully charge my HP via the USB-C port with a 65W USB PD power supply I purchased on Amazon.

However, aparently every HP Envy or Spectre on the market it currently incompatable with plugging the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, S8 or S8+ into the USB Type-C port for Power Delivery & data syncing. I plugged my Note 8 into the USB C port with three different brand cables and it just connects & disconnects. More on that in this post. 

Heavily considering returning my HP & going with another brand.

[EddyK]

Alright, well thanks for the update. It's really helpful for me that you actually tested it out so that I can more confidently state this type of info to other users.

I saw your Reddit post before your new forum post here lol. 

I'll get to it soon and see what I can do.

- Eddy