Dell Slim Auto/Air/AC Adapter - Review

[sinstoic]

Overview

The Dell Slim Auto/Air/AC Adapter allows you to power and charge your notebook in your car or boat through cigarette lighter connector, in an airplane through EmPower connector or through AC connector and in your home, office or hotel through AC connector.

It is also called as the travel adapter because of its slim size and multiple connectivity options. However, this name is a misnomer as it does not include a plug adapter for use with foreign AC power outlets.

The adapter has one AC input, one DC input and one DC output. AC connector connects to the AC input while Cigarette lighter and EmPower connector connect to the DC input. The DC output connects to the notebook. The adapter has a blue color LED light which turns on whenever there is an input power. The light seems too bright at times and there is no way to turn it off.

The adapter is designed to shut down when it detects a fault. When it shuts down, it needs to be disconnected from the power source for at least 15 seconds before it can be ready for use again.

Specifications

Power
Input: 100 to 240VAC 50 or 60Hz, 11 to 16VDC 8A
Output: 19.5VDC 3.34A
Power: 65W

Physical
Length: 127mm (5in)
Width: 66mm (2.6in)
Height: 15mm (0.59in)
Weight (Excluding Cables): 260g (8.36oz)

Environmental
Operating Temperature: 0 to 40C (32 to 104F)
Storage Temperature: -40 to 70C (-40 to 158F)

The specifications show that the slim adapter is functionally equivalent to the standard 65W adapter but in a small package. It does not get any hotter than the standard adapter, despite heavy use, but cools faster than the standard adapter. Dell should have made this adapter standard with the compatible notebooks and offer the additional connectors as accessories. Once you start using the slim adapter, you are likely to keep away from the standard adapter.

As the slim adapter is specifically made for notebooks that require 65W power, notebooks that require 90W power will operate slower and the battery will take a long time to charge than it would with a standard 90W adapter.

Contents



The slim adapter is packed and shipped in a small and sturdy cardboard box with minimal packaging materials. The package includes:



Black Color Nylon Carrying Case with Silver Color Dell Badge
110 Page Slim User's Guide in 9 Languages



0.1m (4in) AC Power Cable with Standard US 2 Prong Plug
1m (3ft) AC Power Cable with Standard US 2 Prong Plug
1.5m (5ft) DC Power Extension Cable
1m (3ft) DC Power Cable with Airplane EmPower Connector
1m (3ft) DC Power Cable with Automobile Cigarette Lighter Connector
65W AC/DC Adapter with Blue Color LED Light and Attached DC Power Cable

The AC power cable is provided in two lengths. The short cable is very useful when the power source is very close like in hotel and airport lounges and even in airplanes which provide AC power. The long cable helps to use the slim adapter like a standard adapter.

The AC Power Cable with Standard US 2 Prong Plug should not be a concern in case the source AC power is not properly grounded as the adapter incorporates short circuit protection by limiting the current to safety levels. In any case it is always a safe option to route it through a spike/surge protector especially in a foreign location.

The DC output connector is round and compatible with select Dell Latitude, Inspiron, XPS, Vostro notebooks and Precision Mobile WorkStations. The short cable attached to the adapter is very useful when the power source is close just like in the case of the AC power cable. The combination of the two short cables reduces the cable mess. The long cable extends the short cable for regular use.

Carrying Case & Cables



The slim adapter comes with a high quality black color nylon carrying case with a standard silver color Dell badge. The case has two zippers that enable it to open completely. However, the case does not sport a handle and holding it is a little difficult.

The case with the adapter and all its accessories makes it big enough that it may not fit into your notebook bag. If you are likely to use all the accessories, then it is easier to distribute them in your notebook bag than carry this case.



Inside the case there is a mesh pocket on each side. One holds the DC power cables and the other holds the AC power cables and the DC power extension cable. The adapter is placed at the center and the case is zipped up.

Cable management is difficult as neither the adapter nor the cables have cable wraps/ties. You need to buy them separately from your local office supplies store.



The case is big enough to carrry a 6 Cell 56Wh battery (shown here is the Dell XPS M1330 notebook 6 Cell 56Wh battery), along with the slim adapter and all its accessories, and still have space for a headphone, a remote control and a few memory cards.

You do not have take all the cables with you but just the ones you need and you will start appreciating the slim adapter and its accessories.

Comparison

Slim adapter vs Standard adapter



The slim adapter is longer than the standard adapter by 20mm (0.79in) in length and 19.8mm (0.77in) in width but shorter by 14mm (0.55in) in height. In other words it is slightly larger than the standard adapter in terms of length and width but half as thick in terms of height.



Both adapters weigh almost the same and therefore the slim adapter is not lighter than the 65W standard adapter. Dell's claim of it being 40% lighter is when it is compared with the heavy 90W standard adapter.

Price & Warranty

As of today, the adapter costs US $79.99 excluding shipping & handling and any applicable levies and comes with a 1 year limited warranty. It is expensive but worth the money considering what it offers. The adapter is also available for a discounted price when purchased with the compatible notebooks.

[cafeaulait07]

Thanks for the review. I've been thinking about buying one of these. My only question is in light of the XPS shock discharge problems, how much of a problem is it going to be to use this slim charge (that appears to have two prongs, no ground) with m1330/1530 units which now ship with 3-prong chargers?

[sonicwind]

I selected on of these for my M1530, but they gave me an extra full size one instead.

[sinstoic]

Originally Posted by cafeaulait07

Thanks for the review. I've been thinking about buying one of these. My only question is in light of the XPS shock discharge problems, how much of a problem is it going to be to use this slim charge (that appears to have two prongs, no ground) with m1330/1530 units which now ship with 3-prong chargers?

The AC Power Cable with Standard US 2 Prong Plug should not be a concern in case the source AC power is not properly grounded as the adapter incorporates short circuit protection by limiting the current to safety levels. In any case it is always a safe option to route it through a spike/surge protector especially in a foreign location.

Originally Posted by sonicwind

I selected on of these for my M1530, but they gave me an extra full size one instead.

Inform Dell and get the slim adapter.

[jrsryder]

I have one Velcrowed into the center console of my car. The cables roll up nicely into the console when not in use, and when I do use it, there is enough of a gap between the lid and compartment, that I can close the lid without pinching the cables. Great product !!! I have yet to use it on a plane yet, but should get the chance in the next couple of weeks. The other nice thing is that it doubles as an A/C charger, so no more running up to the home-office and unhooking the nicely-wired charger when I want to play on the laptop while watching NFL Sunday in the living room. Well worth the money.

[sinstoic]

Originally Posted by jrsryder

I have one Velcrowed into the center console of my car. The cables roll up nicely into the console when not in use, and when I do use it, there is enough of a gap between the lid and compartment, that I can close the lid without pinching the cables.

Cool! I wonder why they left the cable wraps/ties. It wouldn't have costed them that much more. Anyways, I am about to buy them separately from my local office supplies store.

[sinstoic]

Do you guys/gals need any more information on this product? Tell me what exactly you want to know and I'll try my best to update the review or answer you directly.

[KevinM]

Which laptop are you using it with?

[sinstoic]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Which laptop are you using it with?

I am using it with Dell XPS M1330. Here is my review on it:Dell XPS M1330 Midnight Blue - 2008 Version

[mcs72]

Thanks for this thread! I have a 90W Latitude 820 and am concerned with the comment that the computer will "slow down" when using this adapter. What exactly does that mean? Why/how would a power source slow down the machine? I understand if it takes longer to charge, but I'm curious as to why it would slow down. Thanks for any info!