Dell XPS 14 Battery Life

Hi,

I have a Dell XPS L421X purchased in Brazil where I live. I've been a faithful Dell user for the past 15 years. This model was the most expensive computer I've ever had, and I had been very happy with it until a few days ago. I've had the computer for about two years, mostly used it on battery. I had not noticed a reduction in battery use, it lasts for about 5 hours, even after two years. However, a couple of weeks ago, the computer would just shut down in the middle of a session and could not be powered up again. It would only turn on when connected to a power source. This probblem would happen repeatedly. Then today, the battery apparently just died, just like that. The indicator stops at 74%, when I disconnect it from the power source, it just dies. Dell ran the battery diagnostic, it shows the capacity down to 63,9 which actually seems great after two years. However, the battery is just dead. Dell says I have to replace it at my own cost, I certainly don't want to replace the computer yet, otherwise it runs well.  Other Dell models allow easy replacement of the battery, this one does not, they claim the replacement has to be done by a technician, which means additional cost. I guess I can't expect more than two years out of a battery? After reading all these posts on Dell battery issues, I'm beginning to think that this is my last Dell, I will switch to a different manufacturer for my next computer.

I don't know about consumer laws in Brazil but the battery is non-consumer replaceable, therefore it should last the life of the laptop. It's an expensive laptop, you'd reasonably expect it to last 3-5 years. Therefore if the battery has not lasted and suddenly died, it is faulty. If I were you I'd attempt to get Dell to replace it.You shouldn't have to pay unless it is wear and tear and the fact that it suddenly stopping working doesn't sound like wear and tear. They'll probably try and tell you that batteries are consumables, and therefore are not covered, but you cannot buy these batteries like other consumables (printer ink, CDs, paper) and you cannot replace them yourself, so cannot be considered consumables. I don't know why Dell made the batteries non-consumer replaceable, it seems like they have shot themselves in the foot doing so as they are clearly not as reliable as Apple devices.

I am currently on my third Dell battery for this laptop, it still hasn't resolved my problem my battery is down to 65W after just six weeks. I thought it was the batteries but it looks like the motherboard is the cause of the fault for me. There's clearly a problem with these laptops and batteries. Everything else works fine and I'm very happy with it - apart from the battery. To be fair to Dell, they've dealt with my problem each time very swiftly, they just take some persuading.

Very few batteries make it the life of a notebook computer - considered by most to be three years.  Apple's batteries are no better than anyone else's -- but it is true that Apple has made it just about impossible for an end user to replace a battery, by using proprietary screws and adhesives to attach the battery.  At least with Dell's systems, there are no proprietary screws and adhesives used.  

Most lithium ion batteries will run 300-500 charge cycles or about 18-24 months before they will no longer hold a sufficient charge to be useful.  That's in large part why NO system manufacturer - Dell, Apple, etc., - will warrant the battery for longer than 12 months.

Hi folks,

thanks for the replies! I am happy to report a turn of events: My battery miraculously started working again. I gave the computer a few knocks on the bottom, where the battery sits, and iall of a sudden it started charging normally and working normally, even on battery!  Weird! So I guess the problem must be some bad contact or something. After reading all the useful posts on batteries, I will from now on be more careful to avoid charging the battery up to 100% or letting it get down to under 15-20%. But actually in my case then, apart from this recent glitch, my battery has been performing well overall, right? After two years of daily use the capacity is only down to 63W and I'm still getting about 6 hours of use on battery. I should add that I mostly use the computer for tasks that do not require video or streaming, mostly writing documents, spreadsheets, Skype, email, internet searches. No games at all. So I'm back to being happy with my computer. I suspect my problem will happen again, it's not really solved, But as long as giving it a few gentle hits resolves the problem, fine with me.

A charge cycle isn't the number of times the battery is plugged in.  It is the number of complete discharge-recharge cycle equivalents.

Yes, 1000 would be nice -- practically speaking, few make it that far.  I don't know many people who've not had to replace the battery in an iPhone before the 2-year normal usage life is up -- similarly, a high percentage of Mac users find the necessity of replacing the battery well before five years.  Yes, Apple _says_ they're designed for five years -- and then warrants them for only one.  

Granted, Apple's been having more than its share of deformed notebook cases due to batteries swelling up (it's happened to Dell and other systems as well).  

As for consumer law in the UK, I will defer to your expertise except to note that if that's the case, it likely explains why prices are higher there -- manufacturers simply bundle the price of dealing with post-warranty repairs into the cost of purchasing the system up front.

And as above, it's actually very easy  to replace the battery in a Dell -- even if that battery is internal.  It's nowhere near as hard to do as it is on systems where adhesives are used to force consumers to either return to the manufacturer or replace the system when the inevitable battery replacement is required.

LIke the brakes and battery in a car, the battery in a notebook is a consumable part -- it wears down with time.  It's not designed to last the life of the system, any more than the battery in your car is.