Dell charger reported as low-wattage

Does the system work with the original adapter -- and what power rating does it have?  This model ships with either a 100W or a 165W adapter.  If it came with the latter and you're trying a 100W replacement, that's the reason for the message you are seeing -- it doesn't have the power rating the system needs.

@ejn63​ I understand this adapter provides less power than the one I use at home (100W vs. 165W).  But if "it doesn't have the power rating the system needs" then should it have been described as compatible with my model?  I feel like I shouldn't be told to use a higher-watt charger when I bought a Dell charger marked as compatible.  I don't see anything in the part description that says "This is not the recommended charger -- you will be told to use a different one."

There is a version of this model system that ships with a 100W adapter and with which the adapter you purchased will work without issue.

You cannot replace a power adapter with one of lower rating and expect the system to function normally -- it sounds like  you knew the adapter was of lower power when you purchased it.  At any rate you have two options:  live with the error (and reduced performance) or return the 100W adapter and if you need a second one, purchase the original 165W model.

@ejn63​ I understand your point of view, but I think that's asking a lot of the average user.  I had no reason to think that my model has two different versions with different power requirements -- if there are two versions then I would expect them to be two different model numbers.

"it sounds like  you knew the adapter was of lower power when you purchased it."  Not exactly, no.  I knew it was 100W by the description, but I assumed it was the same power rating as the one I had.  An average user wouldn't expect that a model would have two versions of power requirements.

"You cannot replace a power adapter with one of lower rating and expect the system to function normally".  I think that's exactly what the average user would expect IF the charger was listed as compatible with my model and not compatible with only some versions of my model.

Thanks for your explanation of how it works -- it's useful information.  And at this point, given how things work, I guess this has turned into more of a gripe than a question, but that sort of information should be made obvious before a user needs it, not after.  For example, don't list a charger as compatible with a model when it's only compatible with *some* versions of a model.

- mb

P.S. Just to be clear, the gripe is with Dell, not you -- your information is appreciated.