I write to ask for advice.
I have a Lenovo IdeaPad 5-14ITL05 - Type 82FE and I would like to buy a dock station for it. Here I leave the specifications: https://psref.lenovo.com/Detail/IdeaPad/IdeaPad_5_14ITL05?M=82FE0020SP
It has 1 usb-c port for charging and transferring data. It also has 2 usb 3.1 ports.
This computer works with Windows.
Also, I have a Lenovo B-590. This computer is a bit old (2014). It does not have a USB-C port, but it has 2 usb 3.0
It also has Ubuntu installed. It only supports one extra monitor.
My goal is to find a dock that allows me to exchange between the 2 computers with only one cable (obviously each laptop has its charging cable but I think the dock station can charge the IdeaPad 5-14ITL05 - Type 82FE, although Lenovo has told me that it is dangerous to put a dock to charge other than the original charger …). The use of both laptops is work and software development. No games, no videos, no graphic design…
I have an HDMI auxiliary monitor but I am thinking of buying a second monitor with DP (and this I would only use for the Windows computer, the new IdeaPad 5-14ITL05 - Type 82FE).
Thank you for reaching out to Plugable support and thank you for providing a detailed description of your two laptops. I understand that you are wanting a docking station that can support both your Lenovo IdeaPad 5-14ITL05 and Lenovo B-590 with an external monitor that supports HDMI. You are also looking into possibly acquiring a secondary monitor as well.
Given this information, I can suggest a couple of options that will allow for a little flexibility and scalability.
I will give more details.
The lenovo IdeaPad 5-14ITL05 has Windows 10.
The Lenovo B.590 has Ubuntu 21.04.
Is there a problem with the options you have given me for those systems that I am telling you?
If there were problems with Ubuntu, which would not surprise me at all… I could sacrifice the use of the dock station in the Lenovo B-590 and then the story would be quite another:
Dock Station only for the Lenovo Ideapad 5 with HDMI, Ethernet, Audio, Multiple USB (at least 4) and with the option of charging through the USB-c port (it is not mandatory, but in this way I would only use a power cable for the computer; the one from the dock.)
NOTE: I phoned Lenovo with the intention of buying one of their dock stations (https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/pd500180) and they literally told me: “You cannot use our Lenovo docks for Ideapad 5. Our docks only work with the Thinkpad model.”
That has scared me. If the laptop comes with a USB-C charger … Why can’t I connect a USB-C dock that provide power to the computer?
Thank you for providing your additional information. That is very much appreciated!
Given this information, I do not see any issues regarding your Lenovo IdeaPad 5-14ITL05. The UD-6950H and UD-6950Z should work well with this laptop configuration. Regarding your Lenovo B.590 unfortunately we cannot guarantee compatibility as Linux support is very limited at this time.
You also mentioned having the dock provide power over USB-C. I would like to set some expectations that the UD-6950H and UD-6950Z do not provide power, also known as Power Delivery. Looking over your Lenovo IdeaPad 5-14ITL05 specifications we can see that it has a USB-C port located on the left side of the laptop that appears to support Power Delivery though the description in the user’s guide is not clear. Seen here on page 4: https://download.lenovo.com/consumer/mobiles_pub/ideapad_5itl_ug_en.pdf
According to your user’s manual, it appears that your IdeaPad 5-14ITL05 power specification is 65W. A 60W would still charge your laptop though the charging rate may be a bit slower. USB-C power delivery starts at around 5V and is configurable up to 20V and can handle 60W up to 100W. The beauty of USB-C power delivery is that communication is bi-directional meaning two devices will facilitate a contract on how much power can be provided or drawn thus providing a safe connection between those two devices. Your IdeaPad 5-14ITL05 will negotiate how much power to draw from the UD-3900PDZ (60W max) so there should be no concern for any possible damage.
So to help answer your question you will not have any problems connecting your IdeaPad 5-14ITL05 to the UD-3900PDZ when utilizing power delivery.
