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Surge protector vs UPS for 27" IMac
- Thread starter curlyimac
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I use one for my modems and computer. Nothing worse than having power go out in the middle of something important. If you don't care either way then save the money and get a surge protector.
I use an APC UPS battery backup for my iMac and PC. Just replaced the battery, which usually lasts 3-4 years.
I'd make the choice based on two things:
1) Do you experience frequent power outages (blackouts or brownouts) in your area?
2) How critical is it that your computer not go down during those episodes, or that it have time to shut down cleanly?
When I went from a MacBook Pro to an iMac I hated the idea of having everything power off if the power went out for even a few seconds, and was planning to get a UPS. Yet I think we've only had one blackout that lasted for hours in the past few years I've been living in my current spot, due to a construction accident. Unplanned shutdowns are a nuisance and occasionally require some external drive directory repairs but otherwise I can live with them. A UPS would be a huge waste for me, so I just use surge protectors now.
In the past I've lived in places where there were blackouts and brownouts a handful of times each year, however. Were I still living in one of those places, a UPS would definitely be worthwhile.
1) Do you experience frequent power outages (blackouts or brownouts) in your area?
2) How critical is it that your computer not go down during those episodes, or that it have time to shut down cleanly?
When I went from a MacBook Pro to an iMac I hated the idea of having everything power off if the power went out for even a few seconds, and was planning to get a UPS. Yet I think we've only had one blackout that lasted for hours in the past few years I've been living in my current spot, due to a construction accident. Unplanned shutdowns are a nuisance and occasionally require some external drive directory repairs but otherwise I can live with them. A UPS would be a huge waste for me, so I just use surge protectors now.
In the past I've lived in places where there were blackouts and brownouts a handful of times each year, however. Were I still living in one of those places, a UPS would definitely be worthwhile.
Well, ok. I'm convinced I'll stick with the UPS.
I keep reading all about Sine Wave but my friends tell me that is not necessary for my 2017 5K imac.
I admit i don't know enough about the power functions of these things. My old UPS was a stepped wave and it operated fine. I don't understand if i'm missing something.
I did have a cyberpower 1500 Va that i borrowed from my brother and when the laser printer kicked on, it shut down my computer without battery backup. I though that was weird because my old apc didn't do that.
I keep reading all about Sine Wave but my friends tell me that is not necessary for my 2017 5K imac.
I admit i don't know enough about the power functions of these things. My old UPS was a stepped wave and it operated fine. I don't understand if i'm missing something.
I did have a cyberpower 1500 Va that i borrowed from my brother and when the laser printer kicked on, it shut down my computer without battery backup. I though that was weird because my old apc didn't do that.
For most computers with reasonably modern power supplies, it doesn't matter, and that certainly ought to include your iMac. You don't really have to choose, though; you can get an excellent APC sine wave unit (BR1000MS) for under $150. Or, if you like the cyberpower units, stick with them.
UPS for my home office/networking equipment which is my computer, cable modem, network router and PoE switch so my 4 access points and security cameras all run off of this and I just don't particularly want an electrical brownout or very short outage to take all of this equipment offline.
Everything stays on 24/7.
I can't remember purposefully turning off a computer outside of moving it or repair in the last 20 years.
Everything stays on 24/7.
I can't remember purposefully turning off a computer outside of moving it or repair in the last 20 years.