You Can Purchase a Dell Computer without an AC Adapter

Summary: The following article provides information about a new Dell option to purchase a computer without an AC Adapter that started in June 2024.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Table of Contents:

  1. From June 2024, Dell offers an option to purchase a laptop or tablet computer without an AC adapter
  2. List of Abbreviations
  3. Affected products
  4. Problems with using a low-powered AC adapter
  5. Power adapter requirements

From June 2024, Dell offers an option to purchase a laptop or tablet computer without an AC adapter

 

This offer addresses the European Union (EU) common charger directive for tablets, laptops, and other specified wireless devices (Directive (EU) 2022/2380).

Due to this change, third-party AC adapters may become an issue in instances where a computer is being troubleshot for a power issue.

List of Abbreviations

 

  • Alternating Current (AC)
  • Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
  • Central Processor Unit (CPU)
  • Discrete Graphical Processor Unit (dGPU)
  • European Union (EU)
  • Graphical Processor Unit (GPU)
  • Power-on Self-Test (POST)
  • Power Delivery (PD)
  • Uniform Memory Access (UMA): This is also known as Integrated Graphics. 

Affected products

 

Table.1: Impacted Models
Product Lines
Latitude Chromebook Precision
Latitude 3140 Chromebook 3120 Precision 3490
Latitude 3450   Precision 3590
Latitude 3550   Precision 3591
Latitude 5350   Precision 5490
Latitude 5450   Precision 5690
Latitude 5550   Precision 7680
Latitude 7030 Rugged Extreme Tablet   Precision 7780
Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet    
Latitude 7350    
Latitude 7350 Detachable    
Latitude 7450    
Latitude 7650    
Latitude 9450 2-in-1    

Problems with using a low-powered AC adapter

 

The following problems may occur when using a low-wattage AC adapter:

  • It triggers a low-wattage BIOS notification.
  • It triggers a low-wattage ChromeOS notification.
  • The battery does not charge.
  • The battery continues to drain when the computer is connected to AC power.
  • The battery charges at a lower speed.
  • The computer may not complete the POST if the battery is drained.
  • The computers performance is slower than expected.

Some computer owners may attempt to use a Smartphone AC adapter to charge their computer. (Also known as a mobile phone charger, a cell phone charger, or a cellular phone charger.) Usually using a phone charger may take several hours to slowly charge a computer that is turned off.

You should remember the following when troubleshooting a no-power or AC adapter problem:

  • Check to see if the AC adapter is a Dell AC adapter and of the correct wattage for the computer. See your Owner's Manual on the Dell Support Site for the AC adapter requirement.
  • Check to see if the AC adapter is USB PD Compliant.
  • Determine the wattage of the AC adapter, if the AC adapter is not a Dell adapter and ensure that it meets the minimum power required to turn on the computer.
  • Ensure that the AC adapter works on another similar computer if possible.
  • Dormant Computers may have the battery in the Battery Storage Mode. Computers in Battery Storage Mode require that you connect an AC adapter to turn on. See the following Dell Knowledge Base article for more information:
  • Computers connected to a low-wattage AC adapter may require several hours of charging time before the computer can turn on. (For example: Where the battery level is lower than 5%.)

Power adapter requirements

 

To protect the computer Dell are limiting the maximum wattage for Non-Dell adapters:

  • It limits the Latitude 3140 laptop to 65 W in the BIOS
  • It limits the Latitude xx30 models to 90 W
  • It limits the Latitude xx40 models to 96 W or 98 W
  • It limits the Latitude xx50 models to 96 W
  • It limits the Precision xx80 models to 96 W or 98 W
  • It limits the Precision xx90 models to 96 W

The following table summarizes the basic power adapter requirements:

Table.2: Basic Power Requirements
Computer Model The power required from a power adapter for the computer to achieve optimal performance. The computer charges at a slower speed with this power adapter. The minimum power required to operate the computer and charge the battery.
Note: You may see an on-screen warning message to inform you about the use of a low-powered adapter and slower charging speeds.
Chromebook 3120 65 W Less than 45 W 20 W
Latitude 3140 65 W Less than 60 W 27 W
Latitude 3450 65 W Less than 60 W 27 W
Latitude 3550 65 W Less than 60 W 27 W
Latitude 5350 65 W Less than 60 W 27 W
Latitude 5430 Rugged a) 65 W UMA b) 90 W dGPU a) Less than 60 W UMA b) 90 W dGPU 27 W
Latitude 5450 a) 65 W (15 W Central Processor Unit (CPU)) b) 100 W (28 W CPU) a) Less than 60 W UMA b) Less than 100 W dGPU 27 W
Latitude 5550 a) 65 W (15 W CPU) b) 100 W (28 W CPU) a) Less than 60 W (15 W CPU) b) Less than 75 W (28 W CPU) a) 27 W (15 W CPU) b) 45 W (28 W CPU)
Latitude 7030 Rugged Extreme Tablet 65 W Less than 45 W 27 W
Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet 65 W Less than 45 W 27 W
Latitude 7350 65 W Less than 60 W 27 W
Latitude 7350 Detachable 65 W Less than 45 W 27 W
Latitude 7450 a) 65 W (15 W CPU) b) 100 W (28 W CPU) Less than 60 W 27 W
Latitude 7650 a) 65 W (15 W CPU) b) 100 W (28 W CPU) Less than 60 W 27 W
Latitude 9450 2-in-1 65 W Less than 60 W 27 W
Precision 3490 a) 65 W (15 W CPU) b) 100 W (28 W CPU) a) Less than 60 W UMA b) Less than 100 W dGPU a) 27 W UMA b) 45 W dGPU
Precision 3590 a) 65 W (15 W CPU) b) 100 W (28 W CPU) a) Less than 60 W (15 W CPU) b) Less than 75 W (28 W CPU) a) 27 W (15 W CPU) b) 45 W (28 W CPU)
Precision 3591 a) 100 W UMA b) 130 W dGPU a) Less than 75 W UMA b) Less than 130 W dGPU 45 W
Precision 5490 a) 100 W UMA b) 130 W dGPU a) Less than 75 W UMA b) Less than 130 W dGPU a) 27 W UMA b) 45 W dGPU
Precision 5690 a) 100 W UMA b) 165 W dGPU a) Less than 75 W UMA b) Less than 130 W dGPU a) 27 W UMA b) 45 W dGPU
Precision 7680 a) 180 W (Thin) b) 240 W (Thick) a) Less than 180 W (Thin) b) Less than 210 W (Thick) 90 W
Precision 7780 a) 180 W (UMA or P21 GPU) b) 240 W dGPU a) Less than 180 W (UMA or P21 GPU) b) Less than 210 W dGPU 90 W


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Affected Products

Chromebook 3120, Latitude 7030 Rugged Extreme Tablet, Latitude 3140, Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet, Latitude 5350, Latitude 7350, Latitude 7350 Detachable, Latitude 3450, Latitude 5450, Latitude 7450, Latitude 9450 2-in-1, Latitude 3550 , Latitude 5550, Latitude 7650, Precision 3490, Precision 5490, Precision 3590, Mobile Precision 3591, Mobile Precision 5690, Precision 7680, Precision 7780 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000226078
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 23 Apr 2025
Version:  3
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