Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
A power supply is an AC to DC converter. It takes the 120V AC power coming out of the wall (or up to 220V actually) and converts it to an X Volt DC signal. The XPS power adapter puts out a good amount more current than the 9400 adapter. I can't speak as to how the laptop's power circuity will handle this; hopefully for you it won't allow the machine to boot. Otherwise, you could indeed fry the power circuit or more.
I wouldn't do it. Is using your 9400 for the short period of time until you can get another adapter worth the potential damage?
The XPS power adapter is CAPABILE of putting out that amount of power. The power drawn from a power supply is determined by the load.
If the plug is the same, and the voltage is the same, and the wattage and current are equal or greater then it will be ok.
Example:
The laptop requires a 65 watt PS at 1 amp... the new adapter is capabile of 90 watts and 2 amps. It will work with the lower powered laptop as long as the voltage and plug matches. The laptop is only going to use the power that it needs from the adapter.
Just like installiing a larger (wattage ) power supply in a desktop PC.
pcgeek