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March 2nd, 2023 13:00
m15 R1, battery replacement
Alienware m15
During a half hour game of Monopoly Madness when plugged in, the battery drained from 100% to 93% in my Alienware m15, which is three and a half years old. This is not a one off either. My understanding is that the battery should only discharge a maximum of 5% per hour when plugged in and gaming. After checking battery health on command prompt, it says that the battery still has 58,550 mWh of its initial 60,000 mWh maximum capacity, which is reassuring. I also did a battery check from within support assist and that passed. These last two facts seem to indicate my battery is fine, but I don't know enough about computers to know for sure.
If I do need another battery, how do I obtain one? I looked on the Dell website and they only offer power adapters and no batteries for the M15. The only one I found that is made from Dell on Amazon is m15 battery But it is sold by a third party seller, which makes me apprehensive as I know you have to be super careful with lithium ion batteries. Is there a reputable seller of batteries for my laptop online which delivers to the UK? I will take it to the local computer repairs shop to fit if I need a new battery, but I would prefer not to buy from them too as I know they will charge more.
filbert
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March 2nd, 2023 16:00
Go to the profile page of Dell-Cares and click on Send this user a private message. Ask how you can buy a battery from Dell in the UK.
You might e-mail Parts-People to ask them. I vaguely recall someone saying that Parts-People had a European depot or retailer.
filbert
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1.8K Posts
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March 2nd, 2023 13:00
Dell still sells batteries for the M15.
If Dell doesn't have it, the next most reliable place is Parts-People, which has genuine Dell batteries for the M15 in stock. You could contact them to ask if they ship batteries to UK.
Be wary of other sources, as many supposed genuine Dell batteries may be "refurbished" by someone else (not Dell or approved supplier) by replacing the internal cells, or outright counterfeits. Such batteries might work, or might not, or might fail before long. They could also damage your laptop. If you buy such a battery, make sure to choose a vendor that has a good return/refund policy.
Three and a half years is a long time for a modern laptop battery. Your capacity seems okay, though, but you should be alert for any signs of swelling, which can often first be noticed as a slight bump in the palmrest or issues with the touchpad.
You can also run Dell Diagnostics:
Immediately after pressing the power button to turn on the laptop (or after clicking the Reboot command), press and hold F12 to enter the One Time Boot Menu, select Diagnostics and press Enter. The Dell Diagnostics will test major hardware components. Choose to run the extended tests.
Rhapsody
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March 2nd, 2023 14:00
The diagnostics said my battery health is excellent, I don't know if this rules out swelling or not? I should have been more specific about my touchpad. My problem with it is that right clicking is impossible and left clicking is very difficult.
Rhapsody
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March 2nd, 2023 14:00
Thanks for the reply. When I click on the link you gave for Dell batteries, it asks if I want to change to the UK site and when I click yes, it takes me to the Alienware homepage. The link I went to which only supplies adapters is here . I'm not sure if there is somewhere else on the UK Dell site I can find a battery for my laptop?
Worryingly, it has been difficult to use the trackpad for a while now, which did not bother me that much as I hardly ever use it. However what you said makes me think my battery might have swelled. I just checked and the parts people do ship to the UK, but they charge about $100 to do so. I also don't know if I'd be liable for any shipping taxes on top of that. I'll go and run the diagnostics now.
Rhapsody
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March 2nd, 2023 17:00
I've just sent a PM to the profile you suggested and will e-mail Parts People. Not the news I was hoping for as you seem to think me battery needs replacing and some web searching has led me to the same conclusion.