Do I need a UPS for 6-core Mac Pro

[lbeck]

My new 6- core mac pro will be here at the end of the week. I'm wondering if I really need a UPS for it. I've had iMac's for the past 5 years and have always had them plugged into a surge protector which has worked when an outage has happened. No damage has ever been done to my iMac or its internal hardware.

How important is it to have a UPS for a mac pro? What can happen if I dont get one? Will a surge protector do the job by itself?

[Honumaui]

My new 6- core mac pro will be here at the end of the week. I'm wondering if I really need a UPS for it. I've had iMac's for the past 5 years and have always had them plugged into a surge protector which has worked when an outage has happened. No damage has ever been done to my iMac or its internal hardware.

How important is it to have a UPS for a mac pro? What can happen if I dont get one? Will a surge protector do the job by itself?

most cheap surge suppressors dont work ?
so even though power went out chances are nothing would have happened anyway ?

a UPS is nice cause if you are working it allows you to shut it down nicely :) or tell it to shut down without you their ?

are they needed ? no but its nice to have

big thread on them in the last few days ? good reading with lots of info to answer everything I bet ;)

[SnoFlo]

You most definitely need a UPS. Run and buy one.

[2contagious]

I didn't bother getting a UPS, as I don't want to spend that kind of money (prices are ridiculous here in the UK) and I don't really need backup power, as we never really have power outages here in London. I am using an "APC Line R Power Conditioner". It's basically a UPS without the battery/backup power (protects against surges and brownouts).

[lbeck]

You most definitely need a UPS. Run and buy one.

Please explain why you think I must run out and buy one. Looking for reasons that will make it worth it. I back up regularly so losing a hard drive is not that big of a deal to me.

[CaptainChunk]

It really depends on how mission-critical your work is.

A good UPS allows you to safely shut down the machine in the event of a power outage and prevent possible data loss. As a film editor, I run one. I've never had to resort to using UPS battery power for a safe shut-down, but it's good to have that peace of mind.

When shopping for a UPS, also realize that not all UPS units are created equal. Double-conversion/online type UPS units are the best types, but the most expensive. If an online type is out of your budget, look at a line-interactive model as a bare minimum. I would avoid cheap offline/standby types because they don't stand up very well to brownouts and generally lack the battery capacity to keep a typical workstation properly powered, making them not much better than a normal surge suppressor.

You can read more about different types of UPS systems here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply#Technologies).

APC and Tripplite are both good UPS manufacturers.

[lbeck]

Thanks Captain Chucl! Anyone else have a take?

[fensterbme]

+1 Get a UPS

Just because you haven't had a problem in the past doesn't mean you won't have one in the future.

Yeah the good one's aren't cheap, and yeah they don't make your computer go any faster... but man they are nice to have. I don't ever want to have my power go out and have me not be able to save a file I've been working on, additionally since I have some striped disks(RAID) going on I don't ever want my machine to get dropped cold. Could I recover from backup, yes.. would I like to do that, absolutely not. I don't want to have to rebuild my machine or reload data, that takes time I don't have... and there is always the outside risk that some part of your backup won't work.

In the end it's about how important your data is, and how important your time is... I think it should be safe to assume that if your getting a Mac Pro you had a reason and that things are important, if so get the UPS.

Sadly just yesterday my APC Smart-UPS 1400 just had it's battery fail, oh bother... I'm still quite happy with the unit and these batteries have been going strong for almost five years.

[lbeck]

Good point. How much is a good UPS?

[nanofrog]

I didn't bother getting a UPS, as I don't want to spend that kind of money (prices are ridiculous here in the UK) and I don't really need backup power, as we never really have power outages here in London. I am using an "APC Line R Power Conditioner". It's basically a UPS without the battery/backup power (protects against surges and brownouts).
To me, this is the absolute bare minimum. And anyone that buys one needs to pay attention to the surge suppresion values, as most UPS's (even the Online units), are short in this area (i.e. less than 500 Joules, when you should run 3k+ Joules). Seriously.

You can add a good surge suppressor between the wall and UPS (or auto transformer, which is what the Line R Power Conditioner really is). I realize the prices in the UK are terrible, but how valuable is your sytem to you?

It all comes down to how well a user understands the risks involved for their situation in order to answer this question. I'm accustomed to being able to get a sufficient UPS system for 10 - 15% of the system cost (usually refurbished in order to get a better unit that's better suited to protect the equipment), so that's like the cost of an acceptably priced extended warranty. Though I'm not as familiar with UK pricing, I know both the system and UPS are more expensive there, so the percentages may not be off that much.

Granted this is still more money (budgets tend not to be unlimited in the vast majority of cases), but is it ultimately worth it if your system (and potentially data, as such a failure can take out the backups as well) gets damaged or destroyed due to a power system fault?

BTW, the brownout protection offered by the Online type UPS's is better than an auto tranformer or Line Interactive UPS (also uses an auto transformer) can provide, as the Online units always runs off of the batteries + inverter (no output voltage variations that occur with switched taps on a transformer) to produce the output voltage without any transients passing through to the system (i.e. noise from switching or any EMI/RFI that may get past/picked up after the filters).

Yes, it's expensive, but it comes down to how valuable the system and data is to the user (sucks to have $5000USD in hardware blow because of inadequate protection, and the data may be price-less).

Just something to consider in the future, and may help others. ;)

BTW, Eaton makes good products, and more common in the UK as I understand it. Not sure about Tripp Lite's availability, though I know they make units for the UK.

When shopping for a UPS, also realize that not all UPS units are created equal. Double-conversion/online type UPS units are the best types, but the most expensive. If an online type is out of your budget, look at a line-interactive model as a bare minimum. I would avoid cheap offline/standby types because they don't stand up very well to brownouts and generally lack the battery capacity to keep a typical workstation properly powered, making them not much better than a normal surge suppressor.
Absolutely. :)

APC and Tripplite are both good UPS manufacturers.
So is Eaton. I'm less sure about Cyberpower's products though, as I've never had access to thier better units (not all that common yet from what I've seen).

[johnnymg]

To me, this is the absolute bare minimum. And anyone that buys one needs to pay attention to the surge suppresion values, as most UPS's (even the Online units), are short in this area (i.e. less than 500 Joules, when you should run 3k+ Joules). Seriously.

snip.............

FWIW: CP AVR 1500 specs:
Surge Protection and Filtering
Surge Suppression 1,500 Joules
Maximum Surge Current 36,000 Amps

[bedifferent]

I've got an APC XS 1500 for my 2008 8-core Mac Pro. Seems to be doing a good job, was about $150USD. Any thoughts on it?

[Icaras]

FWIW: CP AVR 1500 specs:
Surge Protection and Filtering
Surge Suppression 1,500 Joules
Maximum Surge Current 36,000 Amps

By the way, I just received my CP 1500 unit today. Very happy so far. :)

I see what you mean. This thing doesn't make even a peep in sound! I'm very impressed.

Anyway, I shall try and chime in later with more about it if I have some more time...

[johnnymg]

By the way, I just received my CP 1500 unit today. Very happy so far. :)

I see what you mean. This thing doesn't make even a peep in sound! I'm very impressed.

Anyway, I shall try and chime in later with more about it if I have some more time...

Unplug that baby from the wall and let us know how if your MP makes a peep.

cheers and congrats
JohnG

[Icaras]

Unplug that baby from the wall and let us know how if your MP makes a peep.

cheers and congrats
JohnG

Oh, you mean a buzzing sound that some users have reported? Yea, I'll definitely post results when i get a chance.

[nanofrog]

FWIW: CP AVR 1500 specs:
Surge Protection and Filtering
Surge Suppression 1,500 Joules
Maximum Surge Current 36,000 Amps
Some do have more, even APC's products (i.e. units aimed at the Home Theater market). But the SMT1500 (http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SMT1500) for example, only has 459 Joules. Similar models from Tripp Lite and others usually have similar ratings.

EDIT: Found the unit I was thinking of: APC J15 (http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=J15) (4500 Joules). Much better than the units aimed at computers anyway, including the Online types (SURTA1500XL (http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SURTA1500XL) is only rated for 540 J). :rolleyes: :p

As per Cyber Power, I'm still nervous of their products, as I've not had the ability to use them personally (no track record). They seem to be newer to the market, and the consumer units don't look that great to me compared to other known brands (APC, Tripp Lite, and Eaton), so I do make some correlation as to what to expect.

I've got an APC XS 1500 for my 2008 8-core Mac Pro. Seems to be doing a good job, was about $150USD. Any thoughts on it?
It's a consumer unit that uses a stepped sine output from the inverter.

Pull the plug and see how it functions with your system, as it runs off of the wall when there's power above the switching voltage (typically ~90VAC).

[leftPCbehind209]

EDIT: Found the unit I was thinking of: APC J15 (http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=J15) (4500 Joules). Much better than the units aimed at computers anyway, including the Online types (SURTA1500XL (http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SURTA1500XL) is only rated for 540 J). :rolleyes: :p


How does this one compare? http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/753883232/apc-s10?s_c=site_search

[nanofrog]

How does this one compare? http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/753883232/apc-s10?s_c=site_search
The S versions are pure sine wave output, while the J series are stepped outputs (when running off of the battery + inverter).

As the VA rating is lower, so is the suppression spec (S10 = 3060 J), but is still a better unit than the SMT1000 (459 J). Both pure sine outputs off of the inverters, but there's quite a difference in the suppression spec.

1000VA Models:
APC S10 (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=S10&total_watts=200)
APC J10BLK (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=J10BLK&total_watts=200)

1500VA Models:
APC S15 (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=S15&total_watts=200)
APC J15BLK (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=J15BLK&total_watts=200)

BTW, $200 for an S10 is an exceptionally low price, as other places seem to be selling the S10 for $600 (even Vann's wants that for the black version). It may be a typo, and not honored. One seller on Amazon has it for $425 + shipping (88% positive rating). Cheapest the S15 (http://www.surveillent.com/american-power-conversion-apc-s15blk-apc-av-black-1-5kva-s-type-power-conditioner-with-battery-backup-120v.aspx) is $676 (no idea on the reputation of the site).

The J versions will be cheaper, but there's reason for it (~$400 and $550 respectively). :rolleyes: ;)

[leftPCbehind209]

The S versions are pure sine wave output, while the J series are stepped outputs (when running off of the battery + inverter).

As the VA rating is lower, so is the suppression spec (S10 = 3060 J), but is still a better unit than the SMT1000 (459 J). Both pure sine outputs off of the inverters, but there's quite a difference in the suppression spec.

1000VA Models:APC S10 (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=S10&total_watts=200)
APC J10BLK (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=J10BLK&total_watts=200)1500VA Models:APC S15 (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=S15&total_watts=200)
APC J15BLK (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=J15BLK&total_watts=200)BTW, $200 for an S10 is an exceptionally low price, as other places seem to be selling the S10 for $600 (even Vann's wants that for the black version). It may be a typo, and not honored. One seller on Amazon has it for $425 + shipping (88% positive rating). Cheapest the S15 (http://www.surveillent.com/american-power-conversion-apc-s15blk-apc-av-black-1-5kva-s-type-power-conditioner-with-battery-backup-120v.aspx) is $676 (no idea on the reputation of the site).

The J versions will be cheaper, but there's reason for it (~$400 and $550 respectively). :rolleyes: ;)

Your response seemed to be in a different language :D

Are you saying that the one I linked is a good one, especially if it's at that price?

[SnoFlo]

Sorry I was unable to elaborate further, lbeck, but from what I've read above and elsewhere, well, I can't add to the wisdom! Anyway, I was like you once with just a Tripp Lite voltage regulator. I was backing up one day and the power went out. Data was corrupted on both the main and backup hard drives afterwards. Lesson learned.

[nanofrog]

Your response seemed to be in a different language :D

Are you saying that the one I linked is a good one, especially if it's at that price?
It looks to be a good unit (think SUA1500 or SMT1500 with additional surge suppression). So if they'll actually honor that price, get it.

I would check out the seller first on resellerratings.com and/or other sources to be sure they're not unreliable (best to be safe before spending any money).

[Vylen]

To hijack this thread a bit, what do people think about the CyberPower Value 2200 (http://www.cpsww.com.au/products/ups_systems/value_gp_lcd/value2200elcd_gp.htm)?

It's a "Simulated Sine Wave at 230Vac +/- 10%" instead of pure - is that bad or not?

I've seen some people with a CyberPower and have had no complaints. And read about people saying "simulated is bad" but with no particular reason or backing/proof for the claim.

Cause where I live at the moment, whilst blackouts are extremely rare, they aren't really blackouts - more like a second long power outage (while prolonged blackouts are even rarer). Just long enough for electronics to shut down and turn back on. So a simulated sine wave shouldn't (?) make a difference in this situation.

[sporadic]

Interesting read here (http://www.ptsdcs.com/whitepapers/58.pdf) regarding the different UPS approaches.

[lbeck]

Great info ... keep it coming. To make it easier, anyone who has a UPS for their MacPro and loves its performace, feel free to post a link to it where it can be bought.

I'll be possibly be getting one for a new 6-core Mac Pro, running a 27" ACD. Any recommendations?

[psychometry]

most cheap surge suppressors dont work ?
so even though power went out chances are nothing would have happened anyway ?

a UPS is nice cause if you are working it allows you to shut it down nicely :) or tell it to shut down without you their ?

are they needed ? no but its nice to have

big thread on them in the last few days ? good reading with lots of info to answer everything I bet ;)
I'm Ron Burgundy?

[Honumaui]

I'm Ron Burgundy?

ya lost me :)
as in this thread has good info ?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1004739

[gameface]

I have 2 for my system but I also have 10 things to plug in so it is needed. If you do anything mission critical (I assume so with a 6-core) then I would most definitely get a battery backup. Use the backup for your tower and any external drives you may have. The other non battery ports can be used for your monitors or other non essential items.

As an editor, if my RAID got messed up due to a power outage I would be SCREWED. The $100 is a small price to pay for security. And that begs the question... OP, how can you spend that kind of dough on a system and even bat an eye at $100 (max) preventative maintenance measure? Seems to me it is an absolute no-brainer.

EDIT - I say $100 because for just the system, you don't need a $400+ UPS. Get a good APC and you'll be fine. I'm using 2 of these: http://www.amazon.com/APC-BACK-UPS-BE750G-10-Outlet-System/dp/B000Z80ICM/ref=sr_1_2?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285687994&sr=8-2

[lbeck]

I have 2 for my system but I also have 10 things to plug in so it is needed. If you do anything mission critical (I assume so with a 6-core) then I would most definitely get a battery backup. Use the backup for your tower and any external drives you may have. The other non battery ports can be used for your monitors or other non essential items.

As an editor, if my RAID got messed up due to a power outage I would be SCREWED. The $100 is a small price to pay for security. And that begs the question... OP, how can you spend that kind of dough on a system and even bat an eye at $100 (max) preventative maintenance measure? Seems to me it is an absolute no-brainer.

$100 is perfectly fine, most people say $250-$500 for a good one. I'm not batting my eye at spending the money, just trying to figure out if its necessary. Like I said, been using iMac's for 7 years and never had a problem and have even had a few outages.

What UPS do you have for $100. Can you provide a link to it?

[gameface]

oops, look like your response and my edit cross paths :D

I added a link to the UPS's I am using.

[lbeck]

oops, look like your response and my edit cross paths :D

I added a link to the UPS's I am using.

Thanks!

[psychometry]

ya lost me :)
as in this thread has good info ?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1004739
Nothing, it's just weird that all of your sentences end with question marks. Maybe some weird character encoding thing?

[Honumaui]

Nothing, it's just weird that all of your sentences end with question marks. Maybe some weird character encoding thing?

hehehe OK now I get it :) sorry guess I leave things open and not make statements ? see did it again :)

bad grammar :)

[Icaras]

Unplug that baby from the wall and let us know how if your MP makes a peep.

Just reporting back, also don't mean to hijack the thread, but I do confirm the buzzing sound from the Mac Pro after unplugging the power cord.

To hijack this thread a bit, what do people think about the CyberPower Value 2200 (http://www.cpsww.com.au/products/ups_systems/value_gp_lcd/value2200elcd_gp.htm)?

It's a "Simulated Sine Wave at 230Vac +/- 10%" instead of pure - is that bad or not?

I've seen some people with a CyberPower and have had no complaints. And read about people saying "simulated is bad" but with no particular reason or backing/proof for the claim.

Cause where I live at the moment, whilst blackouts are extremely rare, they aren't really blackouts - more like a second long power outage (while prolonged blackouts are even rarer). Just long enough for electronics to shut down and turn back on. So a simulated sine wave shouldn't (?) make a difference in this situation.

Based on internet readings and other confirmed user reports, it's pretty much safe to safe the simulated sine wave is causing the buzzing sound that I am getting from my Mac Pro, and I know this has been reported on the other UPS threads as well.

I'm in the same boat as you, and rarely, if ever experience blackouts. I have set my energy prefs to shut down to only one minute after power outage so I also don't intend to keep my Mac Pro running for any extended period of time during such circumstances.

However, at the same time, even though some very knowledgeable folk like Nano here have stressed sine wave models, and it's all very appreciated info, but I also have yet to come across any long term effect reports on using a simulated sine wave model.

But I'll be frank, the buzzing noise does make me worry a little bit. To the OP, if you are still considering a UPS, you should note the buzzing noise. Aside from being a minor audible annoyance and possibly disruptive to your work, whether you think or not that this buzzing noise that comes from using a simulated sine wave model is truly damaging to the machine, its difficult to say. Where is the evidence?

[nanofrog]

To hijack this thread a bit, what do people think about the CyberPower Value 2200 (http://www.cpsww.com.au/products/ups_systems/value_gp_lcd/value2200elcd_gp.htm)?

It's a "Simulated Sine Wave at 230Vac +/- 10%" instead of pure - is that bad or not?
I'd skip it. For a +/- 10% on 230VAC (inverter output voltage range = 207 - 253VAC), I really have to wonder what the stepping looks like.

Cause where I live at the moment, whilst blackouts are extremely rare, they aren't really blackouts - more like a second long power outage (while prolonged blackouts are even rarer). Just long enough for electronics to shut down and turn back on. So a simulated sine wave shouldn't (?) make a difference in this situation.
Sounds like brownouts, which can actually damage your electronics over time. I've experienced this (cheaper goods not attached to a UPS).

As per the stepped units not having a reason, I do. I've also had systems (and seen others) killed by stepped inverter outputs in past years (namely PSU's). :eek: That's why I went to pure sine wave units for personal use.

So the recommendations of pure sine wave units isn't without warrant. Damage actually can and does occur as a result of using them. How quickly it can happen depends on the power quality of the grid (frequency the inverter needs to kick in, as that's when damage occurs), and the damage is dependent on the equipment (including the UPS, as not all stepped inverters are the same; think cost cutting).

Just reporting back, also don't mean to hijack the thread, but I do confirm the buzzing sound from the Mac Pro after unplugging the power cord.
This is a major clue that damage is occuring when running off of the inverter. Newer PSU's in particular are more succeptible (Power Factor Controlled = pretty much any of the "Green"/80Plus units). Cost cutting doesn't help either, and is a reason non PFC units can be damaged as well.

Ultimately, the only way to be 100% sure, is to run stepped (get a full battery charge, pull the plug and run until the batteries are depleted, then repeat for say a month). If the system isn't affected you're fine. Otherwise, you're screwed as you need to get the damaged hardware fixed or replaced.

Rather expensive proposition. So the cost difference is well worth it IMO, especially if you locate a refurbished unit. It's possible to find pure sine wave, Line Interactive models refurbished for about the same cost as a new stepped output Line Interactive model.

Now which do you think is the better way to go? ;)

[ActionableMango]

And read about people saying "simulated is bad" but with no particular reason or backing/proof for the claim.

Simulated is bad. At my company it won't work at all with many of the Dells or any other computers with similar Active Power Factor Correction power supplies.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19281682/19509341.aspx

If we unplug the UPC from the wall, all devices on the UPC stay on except the Dell, which instantly turns off.

The Mac Pro doesn't seem to turn off instantly, but the PS buzzes. The whole point of a UPC is to protect your computer from crappy power problems, so why get a crappy UPC that makes your PS buzz?

[simplymuzik3]

I would also recommend one. I just got one for my 6-core today. It is the APC XS 1300G (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BX1300G&tab=documentation) The only problem that I have is when it runs off battery. It can power all of my equipment, but my Mac Pro makes this "buzzing" sound from the Power Supply (I think that's where it comes from) when it's running off battery. Is this normal to hear when running off battery? Im sure that it's coming from the MP and not the APC. I can hear the APC's own fans kicking in. Anyone else also experience this?

[Icaras]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

It can power all of my equipment, but my Mac Pro makes this "buzzing" sound from the Power Supply (I think that's where it comes from) when it's running off battery. Is this normal to hear when running off battery? Im sure that it's coming from the MP and not the APC. I can hear the APC's own fans kicking in. Anyone else also experience this?

Lol, read the last couple of posts.

[Sun Baked]

Still would go with a refurbished $180 APC SmartUPS 1400 or $250 APC SU 1500 from ExcessUPS.

Heck, buying those is generally a 1 time purchase and batteries at Batteries+ or drop shipped every couple-few years.

A cheap UPS you'd basically end up spending about the same over the next decade, though you'd replace the unit a couple few times, rather than refurbish it with new batteries.

---

Generally outages aren't the problem, it is the under-over volt situations that cause the grief.

A pure sine unit like the APCs generally eliminate all the power problems as sources of pain -- like those machines that never work at home, and work fine at the Apple Store.

Some computers are sensitive to power problems and line noise, while others aren't, all depends on luck of the draw.

[johnnymg]

Just reporting back, also don't mean to hijack the thread, but I do confirm the buzzing sound from the Mac Pro after unplugging the power cord.
snip..............

Same here when my AVR1500 is running off the bats. The buzzing is faint ............ can barely hear it with the MP under the desk. The fan noise from the AVR1500 is significantly higher intensity. JMO, but I don't think this small buzz sound from the MP PSU is reason for concern.

cheers
JohnG

[lbeck]

Hmmm, glad I started this thread. Its getting interesting. I'd like to do some research regarding the buzzing noise. My initial thoughts are it very well could be hazardous to the system. But where's the proof? Hopefully its out there.

[MacModMachine]

I've got an APC XS 1500 for my 2008 8-core Mac Pro. Seems to be doing a good job, was about $150USD. Any thoughts on it?

it is awsome.....


i dont understand why people buy those monster surge bars for 300$, they offer no protection compared to even a 60$ APC ups.

also, if you buy a tv....buy a ups and it will save you from possible expensive tv repairs from not shutting down properly (cooling cycle)

[lbeck]

i dont understand why people buy those monster surge bars for 300$, they offer no protection compared to even a 60$ APC ups ...

How can that be true? I thought it was the opposite?

[zorinlynx]

I consider a UPS to be an absolute requirement for any desktop system.

Not only that, but you can plug your network router and switch into the UPS and keep power outages from taking out your network, even if you're using the laptop.

I've had a UPS system of some sort since 1996. This is what I use on my current system:

http://www.amazon.com/APC-BACK-UPS-BR1300LCD-1300VA-System/dp/B000NDA5CM

However it may be overkill for some; I am currently running my Mac Pro, a Dell system running Linux as a network router, cable modem, and a gigabit switch on this. And it's less than half-utilized most of the time.

Get a UPS. Compared to the Mac Pro itself, it's a TINY investment with lots of advantages.

[RebootD]

Most certainly you need a UPS!

I know everyone suggests APC, and for good reason, but I went the slightly cheaper route and got this 1500VA Cyberpower model (http://www.amazon.com/Cyberpower-CP1500AVRLCD-UPS-Display-8-Outlet/dp/B000FBK3QK/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285778338&sr=8-1) and it has saved me twice in the last two years.

It can power my MP Quad / 26in LCD / 1x External HD up to about 19-20min.

[ActionableMango]

It looks to be a good unit (think SUA1500 or SMT1500 with additional surge suppression). So if they'll actually honor that price, get it.

I would check out the seller first on resellerratings.com and/or other sources to be sure they're not unreliable (best to be safe before spending any money).

I ordered one the moment I saw that price. They just sent me shipment notice. I'll report back if/when I receive it.

[ActionableMango]

The S versions are pure sine wave output, while the J series are stepped outputs (when running off of the battery + inverter).

As the VA rating is lower, so is the suppression spec (S10 = 3060 J), but is still a better unit than the SMT1000 (459 J). Both pure sine outputs off of the inverters, but there's quite a difference in the suppression spec.

1000VA Models:
APC S10 (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=S10&total_watts=200)
APC J10BLK (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=J10BLK&total_watts=200)

1500VA Models:
APC S15 (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=S15&total_watts=200)
APC J15BLK (http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=J15BLK&total_watts=200)

BTW, $200 for an S10 is an exceptionally low price, as other places seem to be selling the S10 for $600 (even Vann's wants that for the black version). It may be a typo, and not honored.

I just got mine from Vann's yesterday for the $200 shipped. I think it might be a price mistake too, but they took the order and shipped it, but it still shows as $200. I'm quite happy with the deal, so THANK YOU FOR THE LINK. I wouldn't have bought it if I hadn't seen it in this thread.

[nanofrog]

I just got mine from Vann's yesterday for the $200 shipped. I think it might be a price mistake too, but they took the order and shipped it, but it still shows as $200. I'm quite happy with the deal, so THANK YOU FOR THE LINK. I wouldn't have bought it if I hadn't seen it in this thread.
:cool: Glad it all worked out (incredible price for a really good unit; only step up, is an Online/Double Conversion model). :D