Adventures in the English language (Dell sales chat)

by philg

Regarding an XPS 13 2-in-1:

  • Philip Greenspun: “and [the power adaptor] plugs into one of the USB-C ports then?”
  • Agent (k_swathi_m): “The system comes with a charging port and this machine also has USB-C port.”
  • Philip Greenspun: [referring to a low-res image of the machine] “”4. USB C 3.1 with Powershare / AC Power and Display Port” is the full description of what I think is one physical connector”
  • Agent (k_swathi_m): “It means that you can use this USB C 3.1 to Powershare”
  • Agent (k_swathi_m): “or you can use to AC Power”
  • Agent (k_swathi_m): “and Display Port”
  • Agent (k_swathi_m): “You can use that port for either of the options.”
  • Philip Greenspun: “So the “charging port” you mentioned above is in fact a USB C port?”
  • Agent (k_swathi_m): “Yes, that is correct.”

Readers: Post your best please!

2 thoughts on “Adventures in the English language (Dell sales chat)”

  2. From the manual on the Dell support site:

    http://www.dell.com/support/manuals/us/en/19/xps-13-9365-2-in-1-laptop/XPS_9365_SetupSpecs/Left?guid=GUID-2995495B-4D34-4313-8ABC-EA34A5E3F71F&lang=en-us

    Power adapter/Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) port
    Connect Thunderbolt 3 devices and Dell docking stations.
    Supports USB 3.1 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.2, Thunderbolt 3 and also enables you to connect to an external display using a display adapter.

    So, it’s correct that the USB-C port on the left is also the charging port. They appear to be implementing Thunderbolt 3 on that port (but not the one on the right). T3 includes USB Power Delivery as part of its spec:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Power_Delivery_.28PD.29

    Is Dell trying to emulate Apple where you make the device “simple” by eliminating functionality. It’s “simpler” to have to buy and carry around a whole bunch of adapters to make your other hardware connect. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen a Thunderbolt monitor in the flesh but if you get a T3 to HDMI adapter (the way most people will connect a monitor, especially if they are traveling away from home) then you won’t be able to charge (unless the usb-c on the right is also a charging port – doesn’t appear to be from the manual).

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