You cannot use the monitor as a fully-fledged docking station. With the USB-C port, you can connect your laptop to transfer data and provide up to 15W of power, but that's not enough to charge a laptop or provide all the functions of a docking station. The screen, keyboard and mouse will work if you also use the appropriate cables and connectors, but the USB-C port does not support video transmission and provides little power.

For video transmission you have to use HDMI or DisplayPort. The USB hub function allows you to connect your keyboard and mouse to the monitor, but the USB-C port is only intended for data and limited power supply.

The Dell P2725H does not support full USB-C docking. A maximum of 15 W power is possible via USB-C, USB accessories such as mouse and keyboard work, possibly also video - depending on the laptop. If you use HDMI, only the image is transmitted; in order for the mouse and keyboard (on the monitor) to work, you must also connect the supplied USB-B cable from the monitor to the laptop. The laptop must always be charged separately via a power supply unit.

Connection question: If I connect the laptop to the monitor with the HDMI cable, will the mouse/keyboard (connected to the monitor) work automatically? Do I have to charge the laptop separately with a power cable?