APC BK500BLK 500 VA 300 Watts 6 Outlets UPS

Pros: Easy install, no noises coming from the unit. Windows Vista detects it as a battery without the need to install the included software (please don't ask about the Vista). Can now image customer drives and make backups without worrying about power loss.

If you do decide to install the included software, it works well enough. Though it's not needed it does provide statistics on power usage and available battery time. If interested it also tells you how much the power is costing you and how many trees it would take to absorb your CO2.

Cons: Very little room for transformers. I have a laptop, external HDD, and a HDD dock attached to the battery side. The dock and external drive have large transformers so a powerstrip was needed. (I don't like to plug one surge protector into another)

I only get between 30 and 35 minutes of battery, so if a data transfer is running over night and the power goes out for more than 30 minutes I'm in trouble. But that's more of my budget talking than an actual con of the device.

Other Thoughts: I have always used APC and NEVER had any problems. It's the only reason I pay their higher prices.

Pros: Clean power, dependable, outlasted any expectation and warranty, can recycle with trade-ups program, line filtering and RJ45 jacks

Cons: Heavy (but what UPS isn't). The end of life alarm is really loud! No real cons though.

Other Thoughts: I bought this UPS 16 years ago. I lived in the mountains 10 years, where we lost power constantly. It's performed great, although I don't leave my systems on. Filtering works great, it clicks letting me know it's caught a dip. Definitely got my money's worth. When the battery alarm went off (pay attention to this, the tops can pop if you don't), I got a new one (more power). This little UPS outlasted 3 computers before it came to end of life. Very happy with the APC name, and am buying another one.

Pros: Does what it should. Download the latest version of Power Chute for monitoring and PC PEACE of mind - when you are not at home that if your power goes out you PC will save your data and shut down safely.

Shows power consumption and COST of your PC running and keeps record of ALL things happening with your power.

Kind of fun calling the power company asking why I have had 21 blackouts in th past month when they thought I had only five here?

Even better that they DID NOT EFFECT MY PC AT ALL. allows me 20+ minutes of run time with PC and 21" LCD monitor.

PROVIDES CLEAN POWER

REPLACEABLE BATTERIES

Cons: rather large and heavy?

Kind of scary knowing more about the power sent to my home than the power company knows.

Other Thoughts: I have had mine for over four years I just this year had to replace the batteries in mine ( cost me less than fourty bucks delivered ) .
Love not worrying about dirty power.
The only reason for missing one egg is there is no display on the unit itself to check status- not really a flaw because it WORKS GREAT.

Pros: Small, black (instead of beige), recognized by Synology NAS out of the box via included USB cable.

Cons: Deducting a star for a slight buzzing noise when the unit is operating. Just loud enough that I can't place this with the rest of my HTPC equipment.

Other Thoughts: Unit shipped in the retail box (not double boxed) and took quite a beating. However upon opening/expection, nothing was damaged.

Pros: This unit has a usb connection, which helps to monitor surges and outages. The slim width makes if fit comfortably under a desk or next to your tower. Everything works and was utilized within minutes of UPS delivering.

Cons: The outlets are in the back instead of on the top like other APC models.

Other Thoughts: I bought this model because it uses the same battery type as the rest of my APC units.

Pros: APC - the best choice. It does what it's supposed to and its high quality. I've had APC UPS supporting everything in my home for over 20 years and they have saved PC's, TV's, gaming systems and the list goes on.

Cons: None to speak of.

Other Thoughts: I have had 1 unit die on me in the last 20 years and APC customer support was outstanding, not only did they immediately get back to me, but they stood behind the unit without any questions.

Pros: After a nastyy rain storm the power went out all throughout the house. I had forgotten that my pc was on. I heard some beeping coming from the kitchen and my pc was still running, After it shut itself down automatically I sat down to look at it and then it hit me - - I need one more for my other pc.

Cons: none

Other Thoughts: All home/office computers need this level of protection.