Dell Adapters
Feb 23, 2008 | 9:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 149
Dell Adapters
I am wondering if anyone knows if the Dell latitude adapters are all the same. I have a d430 (great little machine) and would like to get an adapter for home but don't really want to spend the almost $100 (with shipping) - A friend of mine gave me an older one that he no longer uses - it's a little bigger, has a different model number. The voltage and polarity seems to be the same (checked with a meter) but it has a higher AMP rating (4.8 vs 3.6) - I assume this is just the max draw and it should not be a problem.
The plugs are the same.
Any chance of damaging my machine with this adapter?
D In Mtl
The plugs are the same.
Any chance of damaging my machine with this adapter?
D In Mtl
Feb 23, 2008 | 12:24 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,809
The male plugs seem to come in profuse, unnecessary variety. I had a Dell Inspiron a couple of years ago whose adapter featured a very uncommon plug size. Of course, I left it in a client's office Friday night with a weekend's worth of work to do. Couldn't locate an adapter that fit properly in any retail store. I rang Dell up to ask them to FedEx one, and the rep told me my particular adapter was on two-week back-order. "So what do people do when they're in my situation?" I asked. "They wait," was her succinct if maddening response.
Just be sure and check plug compatibility.
Just be sure and check plug compatibility.
Feb 23, 2008 | 1:56 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 91
Since their older latitude/inspiron adapters, they have gone to one single power adapter. It comes in a 75 watt and 90 watter variety. The former will only power a laptop, the 90 watt will power a laptop or a docking station. Both have the same size connector, but the 90 watt has a larger brick.
Hope this is helpful,
Matthew Gulino
Hope this is helpful,
Matthew Gulino
Feb 23, 2008 | 4:34 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
The smaller one is 65W, not 75 but this is otherwise correct. In some cases I've seen issues with the bigger laptops needing the higher wattage supply to be happy, but as a general rule with Dell, if the plug fits, you're fine.
Feb 23, 2008 | 6:37 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: The shape-shifting urban sprawl that is El Lay. FT member #71.
Programs: UA Gold & MM; DL & AA credit card dirt status; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Fool's Gold
Posts: 4,837
Since their older latitude/inspiron adapters, they have gone to one single power adapter. It comes in a 75 watt and 90 watter variety. The former will only power a laptop, the 90 watt will power a laptop or a docking station. Both have the same size connector, but the 90 watt has a larger brick.
So I bought another 130 watt brick on Ebay for $40.
Feb 23, 2008 | 7:11 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Posts: 534
Generally, no. I had a small Toshiba that got very hot and would lock up when used with a different adapter with the same plug.
Feb 23, 2008 | 8:56 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Commuting around the mid-atlantic and rust-belt on any number of RJs
Programs: TSA Random Selectee Platinum, * Gold, SPG/HH/MR mid-tier, and a tiny bag of pretzels.
Posts: 9,255
I've got a d630 now (albeit not one of the monster desktop replacement machines) and while it will run on a 65w supply and charge, the power brick itself gets pretty hot. A 90w runs very cool by comparison.
Feb 24, 2008 | 10:55 am
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
The wattage issue is a big deal. Many of the newer dells will tell you "I will run on the 65w adapter but not charge the battery."
I've got a d630 now (albeit not one of the monster desktop replacement machines) and while it will run on a 65w supply and charge, the power brick itself gets pretty hot. A 90w runs very cool by comparison.
I've got a d630 now (albeit not one of the monster desktop replacement machines) and while it will run on a 65w supply and charge, the power brick itself gets pretty hot. A 90w runs very cool by comparison.