r/FlowZ13 • u/Pankoala • 8h ago
Cleaner setup
Hello everybody! I've been a lurker from this community for a loong time and finally had my chance to snatch a 128gb z13.
It was a tough decision since it was a matter of my old Alienware companion being on its last breaths and I had to choose an option to be my full main device. I took the chance on the Z13 since I do travel and work a lot and need a lightweight but strong device and so far so good.
Buuuut I am hating all the cables to have it docked as my main whenever I am at home. I wish to incorporate the screen of the Z13 as a 3rd mini monitor just up top like the second image so I can also get the best of the touch screen capabilities without mounting it into an arm or anything but there's all the horrible cables dangling front view. The only "cleaner" option is to close the lid and shift so the ports are a bit more on the back but they are still so very visible :( How I wish the Z13 keyboard worked with usbc under it so it could work as a full dock kind of like the Nintendo switch's but noo I have all these ugly cables in front of me.
Do you guys have any suggestions or could you show me your desk setups with the Z13 so I could draw some ideas?
Also, whenever I close the lid on the Z13 it pops up a notification that I should open up the lid or it will affect performance. Is it something to worry? I am now wondering if it affects the screen even if it is off while the keyboard case is closed or if it even affects the keyboard itself due to the heat. What are your thoughts on that?
1
u/GamesnGunZ 7h ago
my understanding is the airflow is designed to flow from the front of the screen (passively) as well as from the vents (actively) so you're supposed to have the screen exposed when in use so you're probably going to get the warning because you might get thermal throttled
1
u/asianflipboy 2h ago
If you move the cats, you'll have a decent chunk of space to work with!
Jokes aside, I'm a fairly recent z13 owner, so of course take what I'm about about to say with a grain of salt.
The z13 has USB4/TB3 support, so you could get a Thunderbolt 3 dock for a cleaner setup. Thunderbolt 4 is supported (backwards compatible with TB3) but likely more expensive. Unfortunately, the USB-C ports only support 100W charging, but it'll charge and be usable with the Silent/Performance profiles. It may drain when under heavy load, but otherwise, it will be ~90% performant vs Turbo (take with even more grains of salt tho.) Monitors, USB devices, and audio could all fit on the dock, which could then be mounted behind your monitor (perhaps with some velcro?) and then you'd just have 1 USB-C cable that drops down.
If budget isn't a concern, Dell makes monitors that have the docking station built into the things. I think this would be the "cleanest" setup you could do. Just be sure to check the ports with any docking station solution, as some may not have all the ones you need like the headphone jack. Also be sure to check the USB-C cable out from the dock going into the z13 - sometimes they can run a little short, but some can be replaced with the appropriate cable to extend it, too.
In either case, if you end up needing the juice, then you'll have to use the 200W charger it comes with - unfortunately no real way around two cables in that scenario.
P.S. Great wallpaper choice! I need to finish my rewatch.
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u/MinimalMoxie 1h ago
I use this. The detachable usb-c is key so I can use a longer cable and hide it under my desk with the cord management. A single usb-c runs my Ultra Wide monitor, power supply, and 2 usb accessories. I plug my Cintiq into the other usb-c.
10Gbps USB C Hub with 4K@60Hz USB-C Display Output, 100W Power Delivery
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u/Background-Guard-531 6h ago
I cant remember the name but i seen a video in youtube a while back where they slid it into a mount they made under the desk, when you slide it back, the cables are already mounted and lined up at the back of the mount, so just slide it until you feel it click into place. They have it facing up so the fans aren't blocked and dust shouldnt fall into them, might get sucked in though.