Slim AC adapter for XPS 15: do you have one?

A Dell rep told me I would receive the 90-watt slim AC adapter with my XPS.
Dell shipped the 130-watt by mistake.

Dell has now sent a 90-watt replacement, but it sure does not look slim.

Weight and dimensions of the two I have

130-watt, square corners, slim looking
520 g. (not including AC cord)
15.5 cm x 7.5 cm x 2.5 cm
6 1/8 " x 2 7/8 " x 1"

90-watt, rounded corners, chunky looking
430 g. (not including AC cord)
15.3 cm x 6 cm x 3.5 mm
6" x 2 3/8 " x 1 3/8 "


As you can see, the replacement 90-watt is barely lighter than the 130-watt, the same length and 40% thicker than the 130-watt. This cannot be a slim 90-watt adapter.

Many forum members recommend the slim 90-watt adapter as being smaller and lighter than the regular one. If it exists, that's what I would like to get, as this 90-watt is relatively heavy and chunky and therefore not smaller and barely lighter than the 130-watt. Since it is squarish and thin, probably the 130-watt I have is a slim 130-watt.

QUESTION
Does anyone here have the slim 90-watt adapter? Can you please post measurements, weight (if you have an accurate postal scale), and even photos if possible?
If you think you have the slim, does it have the rounded corners, or is it squarish? What code numbers are on it?

 

Can you take a picture of the one you have? Is it PA-10?

 

It says:
PA-10 Family
PA-1900-01D3
Model: LA90PS0-00

Someone said the slim 90W is PA-3E, but that isn't a Dell part # so the Dell rep I spoke to last week could not find it. The one they sent says "PA-10 Family", but that is not its Dell part # either. The slim 90W, if it exists, is likely similar to the 130W they sent which has square corners and a much thinner body.

Here's the one they sent:

 

I decided to try out the 90-watt adapter, since there's no point using 130-watt if it's not needed. As soon as I connected the 90-watt adapter to the laptop, this warning message appeared:

? Is that just some standard message? I realize that a 90W would charge more slowly than a 130W, but will the system really run more slowly? Dell's web site clearly states that a 90W AC Adapter is standard for the XPS 15 with the standard NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M 1GB graphics.
Dell's site says the 130W adapter is needed only with the GT 540M 2GB graphics card.

So, will my system really run more slowly with the 90W adapter than with a 130W? Or is that just a standard warning that only really applies to battery charging times?

 

This is on XPS 15, L502x

? Is that just some standard message? I realize that a 90W would charge more slowly than a 130W, but will the system really run more slowly?

Dell's web site clearly states that a 90W AC Adapter is standard for the XPS 15 with the standard NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M 1GB graphics.
Dell's site says the 130W adapter is needed only with the GT 540M 2GB graphics card.

So, will my system really run more slowly with the 90W adapter than with a 130W? Or is that just a standard war

 

I remember seeing that with newer BIOS but IIRC it was a BIOS message for my XPS1645 not in windows

 

I should have specified, this is on XPS 15, L502x

 

It'll run fine.

 

Ya, this is definitely the fat one. PA-3E is indeed the slim one. I'd take a comparison picture for you, but I don't currently own any PA-3Es.

 

That's odd that they say the 130w is unnecessary for your model, the 525M is just a downclocked 540M.

 

Ah, I see what DuranXL meant about the BIO message. The other times I had connected the 90W adapter were when the laptop was already running, so I get that message I showed above, which appears to be from Dell Quickset.

Today I plugged in the 90W adapter before booting, then booted and I received a BIOS-type message that the computer would run more slowly.

Very strange. Dell's specs say a 90W adapter is proper for this config, yet it gives that warning.

 

Is there an easy way to test system performance/speed to compare the 130W to the 90W to see if there truly is any difference?

If there is no difference, then obviously it's nicer to have the 90W for portability. I just don't understand the point of the warning, since Dell's web site says that only 90W is required:

Dell XPS 15 Laptop Tech Specs

 

Call dell warranty change the 130W for you, because you has a slow waraning. just want dell fix under warranty.

I think most user don't like waraning message, even is ok for use. fix it.

 

alinad, your post makes no sense.

 

It is odd. If there is no difference, then obviously it's nicer to have the 90W for portability. I just don't understand the point of the warning, since Dell's web site says that only 90W is required:

Dell XPS 15 Laptop Tech Specs

 

It never does, but to respond to the thread, if the xps 15 comes with a 130W it probably does that for a reason, you can use a 90W adapter and it'll run just fine, but I think if under heavy load the computer tries to draw more than 90 or needs more than 90 that might be a scenario in which you encounter problems.

 

Mine did come with a 130W, but I understand that other XPS 15 owners received a 90W, and Dell's web site tech specs clearly state that 90W is standard for the standard graphics card.

The 130W adapter is larger and 200g. heavier than the 90W, so why lug more weight if it's not necessary?

 

I didn't know Dell was still shipping out PA-10 adapters...wow. Everything should be new generation PA-3E, even the Inspirons have them..

The XPS 15 adapter type I think also depends on your CPU option, i3/i5 you should be fine with 90 watt. Quad core i7 you'll probably want the 130 watt. Worst thing that will happen is it'll be REALLY slow to charge your battery.

 

Well I'm basing this on anecdotal experience but it does make sense, like when I had my 1645 I had the i7 +RGBLED display which is a power hungry configuration. So the 90W they shipped with the system was insufficient when the system was under load, but most of the time it was fine. That's why the severity of the throttling problem varied from person to person because some people had configurations that required less power and some had a config that required more. It's probably the same with the XPS 15 based on what GPU, CPU and display options you choose they will ship you a 90W or a 130. But you're saying that with your GPU the 90W is the one you're supposed to get so it could simply be that they made a mistake. It does happen. I'd keep it for at home/work and ask for a slim charger for on the go since you were supposed to get one.

 

It gets stranger. I spoke to Dell Sales today, and the rep told me that there are no 90W adapters for sale anymore for the XPS 15, only 130W.

Yet that's not what the Dell web site says. I'm not saying you're wrong, but the Dell web site is clear.

Running my XPS 15, with quad core i7-2760QM processor, on the 90-W adapter it certainly seems to run fine and charges in a reasonable amount of time.

I don't know what to think. The whole thing, with Dell.com saying one thing, yet there are warning messages when connecting the 90W, and no spare 90W adapters available for sale. I'd sure love for some senior Dell person to explain what's going on.

 

I really don't know. I'm no expert. But, the Dell web site says the standard is 90W with the standard GPU, and the rep I spoke to when ordering said it would be a Slim 90W adapter. But, if those sources are correct, why does the laptop warn me when I connect a 90W? The inconsistency is confusing.

It gets stranger. I spoke to Dell Sales today, and the rep told me that there are no 90W adapters for sale anymore for the XPS 15, only 130W. Even though I found four listings on Dell.com for the Slim 90W adapter:

Dell Part# : 330-4113

Dell Part# : 330-1827

Dell Part# : 330-1825

Dell Part# : 330-1826