Dell WD22TB4 vs HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 - Enterprise TB4 Dock Comparison 2026

Dell WD22TB4 vs HP Thunderbolt Dock G4: Which Enterprise Dock Should Your IT Department Pick?

If your office runs Dell or HP notebooks, picking the right dock is not just a personal preference - it is an IT procurement decision that affects every desk in the building. The Dell WD22TB4 and HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G4 are both Thunderbolt 4 docks designed for business environments, but they take meaningfully different approaches.

The short verdict: The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 edges ahead with four-display support, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and HP Sure Start security. The Dell WD22TB4 fights back with unmatched 130W charging for Dell laptops and a modular design that promises future-proofing. Your laptop brand is likely the deciding factor.

For a broader look at how these compare to the competition, check our guide on the best Thunderbolt 4 docking stations.

Quick Specs Comparison

Design and Build

These two docks take completely different approaches to form factor.

Dell WD22TB4

The Dell WD22TB4 is a traditional rectangular slab measuring 8.1 x 3.5 x 1.1 inches. The chassis is primarily plastic with a professional matte finish. It sits flat on a desk and can also be used with Dell’s optional docking station stand for vertical mounting. The signature feature is the modular host module - the Thunderbolt 4 controller is in a detachable module on one end, designed so IT departments can swap it for a newer connectivity standard without replacing the entire dock base. The 0.8m Thunderbolt 4 cable is removable, which is a practical advantage if the cable ever gets damaged.

HP Thunderbolt Dock G4

The HP dock takes a compact cube approach at just 3.9 x 3.9 x 2.7 inches - significantly smaller than the Dell. This footprint is roughly the size of a coffee cup, making it one of the most space-efficient Thunderbolt 4 docks available. The trade-off is the non-removable host cable, which is permanently attached to the dock. If the cable gets damaged, the whole unit needs replacement. Ports are distributed across multiple faces of the cube.

Design winner: Depends on priorities. The HP saves desk space with its cube design. The Dell offers a removable cable and modular upgradability. For enterprise fleet management where cable damage is common, the Dell’s replaceable cable is a practical win.

Port Comparison

Both docks share a similar total port count, but the details differ in ways that matter.

USB Ports

The Dell WD22TB4 provides one Thunderbolt 4 downstream port, one USB-C 3.2 port, three USB-A 3.2 ports, and one USB-A 2.0 port - six USB ports total. The Thunderbolt 4 downstream delivers 15W for device charging.

The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 offers two USB-C 3.2 ports (one with 15W charging), and four USB-A 3.2 ports (two with 7.5W charging) - six USB ports total. No Thunderbolt 4 downstream, which means you cannot daisy-chain Thunderbolt devices through the HP dock.

The Dell has the edge here with its Thunderbolt 4 downstream port. If you use Thunderbolt storage or want to chain another Thunderbolt device, only the Dell supports it.

Video Outputs

Both docks have identical video port configurations: two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs and one HDMI 2.0 port. The critical difference is what those ports can do.

The Dell WD22TB4 supports up to two 4K@60Hz displays and can push a single 8K@30Hz display on Windows.

The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 supports up to four 4K@60Hz displays by leveraging Display Stream Compression (DSC) on compatible host laptops. This is a significant advantage for multi-monitor power users. Note that the lower DisplayPort and USB-C DP Alt Mode port are mutually exclusive on the HP dock, so you need to plan your connections carefully.

Networking

The HP dock includes 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, which is 2.5 times faster than the Dell’s 1 Gigabit Ethernet. For everyday office web use, both are more than enough. But in enterprise environments with NAS storage, large file transfers, or 2.5GbE network infrastructure, the HP’s faster Ethernet is a measurable upgrade.

What Both Lack

Neither dock includes a 3.5mm audio jack or SD card reader. If your team needs either, you will need USB adapters for both docks. For a dock with these features, see our CalDigit TS4 vs Dell WD22TB4 comparison.

Port winner: HP Thunderbolt Dock G4. Four-display support and 2.5GbE networking outweigh the Dell’s Thunderbolt 4 downstream port for most enterprise use cases.

Display Support

This is where the HP dock pulls decisively ahead.

The Dell WD22TB4 maxes out at two 4K@60Hz displays. It can also drive a single 5K@60Hz or 8K@30Hz display. This is the standard Thunderbolt 4 dock capability and covers most office setups.

The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 can push up to four 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously on Windows with a DSC-capable host. Even without DSC, it handles dual 4K@60Hz. For finance professionals, traders, developers, and anyone who lives in multi-monitor environments, the HP dock is in a different league.

On macOS, both docks face the same Apple Silicon limitations: base M1/M2/M3 Macs are limited to one external display. M1 Pro/Max and later support two external displays. Neither dock can bypass these hardware limitations.

For details on multi-display setups, see our guide on the best docking stations for dual monitors.

Display winner: HP Thunderbolt Dock G4. Four-display support is a major differentiator that no firmware update can give the Dell.

Power Delivery

Power delivery is the Dell’s strongest category - with a critical asterisk.

Dell WD22TB4: 130W for Dell, 90W for Others

The Dell WD22TB4 delivers up to 130W via Dell ExpressCharge for Dell business laptops. This is the highest charging wattage from any Thunderbolt 4 dock and can bring a Dell laptop to 80% in roughly an hour. For non-Dell laptops, the dock provides 90W via standard USB-C Power Delivery.

HP Thunderbolt Dock G4: 100W for Everyone

The HP dock delivers 100W of USB-C Power Delivery to any compatible laptop. There is no brand-specific boost, but 100W is enough to charge most 15-inch business notebooks while driving all connected peripherals.

For mixed-brand environments where the fleet includes Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other laptops, the HP’s consistent 100W beats the Dell’s 90W non-Dell PD. For a pure Dell shop, the 130W ExpressCharge is unbeatable.

Power delivery winner: Conditional. Dell wins for Dell-only environments. HP wins for mixed fleets.

Enterprise Features and Security

This is where these docks reveal their enterprise DNA.

HP Sure Start Security

The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 includes HP Sure Start, a hardware-backed security feature that meets NIST 800-193 compliance. This protects against firmware-level attacks through the dock - a real concern in corporate environments where docking stations can be attack vectors. No other consumer or business Thunderbolt 4 dock offers this level of built-in security.

Dell Management Tools

The Dell WD22TB4 integrates with Dell Command Update and Dell Dock Manager for centralized firmware management and monitoring. This makes it easy for IT departments to keep hundreds of docks updated and track their status. The dock also supports Dell’s asset management systems.

Modular Design

The Dell’s swappable Thunderbolt host module is designed for long-term fleet management. When Thunderbolt 5 docks arrive, Dell plans to offer an upgrade module rather than requiring full dock replacement. This could save enterprises significant refresh costs - though the module is not available yet.

Enterprise winner: Depends on your priority. HP wins on security (Sure Start is unique). Dell wins on fleet management and future-proofing (modular design + Dell Command tools). For security-sensitive environments like government or healthcare, the HP’s NIST compliance is hard to argue against.

Pricing and Warranty

The Dell WD22TB4 retails for $319.99 with a 3-year limited warranty. The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 costs $329.00 with only a 1-year limited warranty. That $9 price difference is negligible, but the warranty gap is significant for enterprise buyers.

Dell’s 3-year warranty means less risk and lower total cost of ownership in a fleet deployment. HP’s 1-year coverage means you may need to purchase extended warranties separately, which adds cost.

Both docks frequently appear at discounted prices through enterprise purchasing channels. Street prices are often 20-30% below MSRP.

Value winner: Dell WD22TB4. Nearly the same price but three times the warranty coverage. For enterprise buyers purchasing hundreds of units, that warranty difference adds up.

macOS and Cross-Platform Compatibility

Neither dock is a great choice for Mac users, honestly.

The Dell WD22TB4 works with macOS but Dell does not officially support it. No macOS firmware updates, no Mac troubleshooting from Dell support. Basic functionality (displays, USB, Ethernet, 90W charging) works, but you are on your own.

The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 similarly works with macOS 12.1+, but HP does not provide Ethernet and audio drivers for Mac. Multi-display on macOS is limited to mirrored mode via MST - extended desktop requires M1 Pro/Max or later native support.

Both docks handle Windows and Linux well. ChromeOS is supported on Thunderbolt-equipped models.

If your fleet includes significant Mac usage, neither dock is ideal. Consider the CalDigit TS4 instead - read our CalDigit TS4 vs Dell WD22TB4 comparison for details.

Compatibility winner: Tie. Both are Windows-first, enterprise-focused docks with limited Mac support.

Verdict: HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 Wins for Most Enterprise Buyers

The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 takes this matchup by a slim margin. Four-display support, 2.5GbE networking, and HP Sure Start security give it a feature advantage that matters in modern enterprise environments. The compact cube design saves desk space, and 100W PD handles most business laptops comfortably.

Choose the HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 if:

• You need more than two 4K displays
• Security compliance (NIST 800-193) is a requirement
• Your fleet includes mixed laptop brands
• You want 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• Desk space is at a premium

Choose the Dell WD22TB4 if:

• Your fleet is all Dell laptops (130W ExpressCharge is unbeatable)
• A 3-year warranty is a procurement requirement
• You want a Thunderbolt 4 downstream port for daisy-chaining
• The modular upgrade path for future connectivity appeals to you
• You need Dell Command tools for fleet management

For more on each dock individually, see our Dell WD22TB4 review and HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 review. If neither fits your needs, our homepage covers every docking station we review.