I have a Dell Latitude x300 with its AC adapter model NADP-90KB A.  I
also have a Dell Inspiron 710 M with its AC adapter modelPA-1650-05D2.
 It's slightly smaller than the one for the Latitude.  The plugs look
the same.  Can I safely use the Latitude's adapter to power the
Inspirion?

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 15 May 2006 16:51 PDT

You need to look at the voltage, amperage and wattage ratings for
the two adapters. If they provide the same voltage, one that is 
rated for a higher wattage and amperage can provide power to the
laptop with the lower requirements, but not the other way around,
generally.

However, you run the risk of the adapter specific to a particular
laptop incorporating certain safety features or circuit optimization
such as a better voltage regulator than is available on another
adapter. This isn't likely to cause immediate or major problems, 
but I'd recommend using the adapter specified by the manufacturer.

Let me know if this satisfies your interests...

sublime1-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 18 May 2006 01:50 PDT

Perhaps you could post a clarification regarding the value
of my response to your question.

A user's guide on this topic is on skermit-ga's site, here: 
http://www.christopherwu.net/google_answers/answer_guide.html#how_clarify 
 
sublime1-ga

jmrussell...

You need to look at the voltage, amperage and wattage ratings for
the two adapters. If they provide the same voltage, one that is 
rated for a higher wattage and amperage can provide power to the
laptop with the lower requirements, but not the other way around,
generally.

However, you run the risk of the adapter specific to a particular
laptop incorporating certain safety features or circuit optimization
such as a better voltage regulator than is available on another
adapter. This isn't likely to cause immediate or major problems, 
but I'd recommend using the adapter specified by the manufacturer.

As dzotx-ga's comment proves, the two adapters are rated at the
same wattage. I'll reproduce the links here to make them clickable.

http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=dhs&c=us&l=en&cs=19&category_id=2999&cat=snp&k=NADP-90KB

http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=dhs&c=us&l=en&cs=19&category_id=2999&cat=snp&k=PA-1650-05D2

sublime1-ga

Yes, according to support.dell.com:

http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=dhs&c=us&l=en&cs=19&category_id=2999&cat=snp&k=NADP-90KB
http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=dhs&c=us&l=en&cs=19&category_id=2999&cat=snp&k=PA-1650-05D2

I bought a replacement AC adapter for my Dell laptop about a month ago
from <a href="http://www.laptopsforless.com/laptopbattery">www.laptopsforless.com</a>
and it works great. Is there any reason to think that a replacement AC
adapter would be any worse that the manufacturers?