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Power adapter question

post #1 of 20
6/10/04 at 11:54pm
Thread Starter 
hello,

i'm trying to spec out an 8600 and i notice that there are 2 power adapter options: an AC adapter - 65w, 19.5v and a AC adapter -90w, 19.5v
is one better than the other? if so, why is it better?

thanks
indera
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post #2 of 20
6/10/04 at 11:55pm
65w - fast and lighter

90w - even faster and heavier
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post #3 of 20
6/11/04 at 12:15am
all i know is that my 90w charges my battery very very fast, even when i'm using the computer
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post #4 of 20
6/11/04 at 1:08am
Yes, that's the main difference - being able to charge the batter fast while using the computer.
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post #5 of 20
6/11/04 at 3:16am
Ditto. When the computer is off they are both pretty quick and there is not too much difference. But the 90w adapter really shines when the laptop is charging whilst on, as its heaps quick. In fact, this is why I chose it. For Uni, I have easy access to power in some classes/ lectures but not others, so I work and it charges where I can, and is set free where I can't with a full tank.
stu
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post #6 of 20
6/11/04 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 
to: Rosky, BaboonGuy, KCK adn DELL-sakor1

thank you for letting me know why i'll be spending more money (smile). i'm surprised that there isn't any info about this on the site. well, there isn't any info on the order page.

thank you so much.
indera
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post #7 of 20
6/11/04 at 10:55pm
Yeah, its a bit of an oversight on Dell's part, they should have one of the "Help me choose" windows for it really.......
stu
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post #8 of 20
6/12/04 at 12:28am
U for got to tell the guy this wears out ur battery faster too.
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post #9 of 20
6/12/04 at 12:32am
What do you mean, nootrak4?
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post #10 of 20
6/12/04 at 12:35am
It shouldn't wear the Li-ion battery out faster. Li-ion life is a finite number of discharge charge cycles which typically give the battery between 1-2 years of life. The speed of how fast you recharge the battery shouldn't be a factor.
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post #11 of 20
6/12/04 at 12:40am
Yes it does. and it last 2-3 year with use or no use.
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post #12 of 20
6/12/04 at 12:44am
Do you have a source that show/proves that charging a battery faster actually shortens the battery life by any considerable amount? I'd actually like to read it.
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post #13 of 20
6/12/04 at 12:46am
The only way that it could reduce the life of the battery is if the adapter was pushing too many amps through the battery, but I don't think that happens with the larger power source.
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post #14 of 20
6/12/04 at 12:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nootrak4
Yes it does. and it last 2-3 year with use or no use.
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-12.htm

2-3 years if you are lucky, keep in mind that Dell only warranties Lithium-Ion batteries for the first year.
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post #15 of 20
6/12/04 at 1:34am
I dont have any online evidence but i was told by many people. and what wooster is talking about is what im trying to say. thereis not other way u can charge it fastter with out the amps. well u can read the thing somms wrote. and by the way i read the whole site. not today a while ago.very interesting.
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post #16 of 20
6/12/04 at 2:16am
I could be wrong, but in view of my past experiences and the reports I am seeing on the official Dell forums, I think the issue of trying to prolong battery life by employing various tricks is a non-issue in practice.

The battery technology is really complex, and urban myths abound.

My advice is to simply use the battery according to your needs. When it peters out, simply ask for replacement if still in warranty, otherwise buy another one.
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post #17 of 20
6/12/04 at 4:35am
What I said is that even with the more powerful charger, I don't think its pushing enough amps to harm the battery. Its a big battery, so you would have to run a lot of amps through it.
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post #18 of 20
6/12/04 at 5:42am
No it is a myth, as Wooster said, it is not pushing enough amps through to cause problems or shortened life compared to the 65w adapter, li-ion batteries do not work that way.
stu
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post #19 of 20
6/12/04 at 5:46am
I was reading something on the Alienware forums about how some of the guys there were cycling their batteries when they first got them. Correct me if I am wrong but I thought only Ni-Cd batteries developed a memory.

Has anyone here cycled their battery?
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post #20 of 20
6/13/04 at 3:53am
You're right on NiCd but i dont know about Li
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