Curent Alienware PSU compatable with old Dell PSUs?

I'm looking at buying a new Alienware 17 in the next few weeks.

I'll be using it across a few locations and already have a number of Dell power bricks for my current laptop (Studio XPS 1647) for each location. Output is rated at 19.5V & 4.62A, so about 90W.

Are these physically compatible with the new Alienware laptops?

I suspect the power output isn't high enough to drive all the system components, but will the machine run with reduced performance (CPU clocked back, integrated rather than discrete graphics, etc), or will it fail to boot? Also will these old PSUs be able to charge the Alienware battery?

Cheers,
Phil.

 

I've used my m17x r3 with some absolutely tiny dell power bricks before, down to about 45W. It will prevent you from draining your battery, but your system will still perform as if it was operating on battery. (GPU throttling) At least on mine, If I actually wanted to charge my battery from one of those adapters I had to put it to sleep - while awake it simply did not charge the battery.

In short - yes they will fit, yes it will run with reduced performance, and yes it will charge the battery while the laptop is not active.

Hope you enjoy your new machine!

 

Thanks, should save a bit of money then. If an old brick allows me charge the battery, that's great, if I can run on degraded performance, even better. I only tend to game at home in one location, otherwise it's surfing, docs & movies. And I at least need to be able to charge it at work. It's would be bad enough having to take a 17" laptop to work on the train every day without having to carry around a high watt power brick as well.

No to decide on the spec...