APC Back-UPS 550 8 Outlet Surge Protector and Battery Backup $40 + Free In-Store Pick Up

Quote from zhopa : 12v sla There is something called a power strip. Google it.

Daisy chaining UPS and Surge strips are generally discouraged by almost all manufacturers. Google daisy chain ups.

Quote from armedmetallica : Daisy chaining UPS and Surge strips are generally discouraged by almost all manufacturers. Google daisy chain ups.

But are not discouraged by the laws of physics.
You don't have to use a surge strip if your religion doesn't allow you to. Just use a straight power strip with no surge.

Quote from yazyazoo : Can we order and pickup after XMAS?

I second the question. Does anyone know? There's no way I'm going to any store until Wednesday (or more likely Thursday or Friday). I have never done Office Max in store pickup before.

Unfortunately this $39.99 price is not as good as the $29.99 deals Staples and Fry's had 1-3 years ago quite regularly on APC 550VAs. However, I have about $60 in Rewards that are expiring on 12/31/12 that I have to use, so I suppose I could get this.

People have said that I can buy anything in the store with my expiring Rewards, return the item, and Office Max will issue me a store credit card which has no expiration. Is that true? If yes, then I'll pass on this APC 550VA just because it's overpriced by $10 (IMHO).

I'll also note that I bought 5 of these from years past at $29.99 (or better) prices, and without exception every battery bites the dust shortly after 3 years, and a couple of them died earlier requiring me to call up APC and get replacement batteries under warranty. I find that replacement batteries are so ridiculously overpriced (and don't last very long) that I can't justify spending $40 on batteries every 2 years to replace $30-$40 units. It's easier just to consider these as disposable units which you will need to dispose in 3 years. Next time I see these at $29.99 I'll buy a few more. Bottomline: the battery life sucks royally on these lead acid batteries.

Nice timing - thanks! In for two!

Had 2 APC UPS (similar but different model) and both batteries died after about a year. Now I can't use the 3 outlets that are battery-backed up. The other three outlets still work fine though.

Not sure if anyone else has had the same experience. Just a heads up.

Quote from BIGFOOT_PI : you get a cheap dollar tree 3 outlet splitter for the low draw 2 prong devices- modem, switch and/or router - thats what I use. I dont really recommend for 3 prong

Thanks for this tip! Went ahead and ordered the apc unit and will purchase a splitter for my 2-prong devices (modem/router/switch)..

Quote from takumi8187 : Had 2 APC UPS (similar but different model) and both batteries died after about a year. Now I can't use the 3 outlets that are battery-backed up. The other three outlets still work fine though. Not sure if anyone else has had the same experience. Just a heads up.

Don't the batteries have a 3 year warranty? APC will replace it for you I believe.

Quote from rahkz : Don't the batteries have a 3 year warranty? APC will replace it for you I believe.

Yes,this does as stated on page:
Standard Warranty
3 Years repair or replace

So, for $40 for minimum 3-years = Worth it..

Quote from nitemare : Yes,this does as stated on page: Standard Warranty 3 Years repair or replace So, for $40 for minimum 3-years = Worth it..

Ah, wish I knew about that before. Too late now

Thanks.

Quote from nitemare : Yes,this does as stated on page: Standard Warranty 3 Years repair or replace So, for $40 for minimum 3-years = Worth it..

Of course, it is worth noting that the likely scenario is pro-rated replacement cost. And even if it is full replacement, consider the cost of shipping (possibly both ways)... in other words, I would not buy based on the warranty.

Also, remember, this gives you approx 4 mins at FULL load (and 13 mins at half load), which is not alot of time, not that other models are that much better in any case. Still 4 mins is enough to hit save (provided your monitor is powered as well... otherwise you would need to "trust" that the data was saved without visual confirmation.

UPS are great, but they are very limited. I used them for a while, but since battery life depletes significantly after about a year, trusting them becomes hit-or-miss. And after having to toss several dead ones after a few years, I realized these contribute to environmental issues significantly (if I kept replacing them).

But mainly for me I just could not trust them to keep power on long enough.... Think about it: 4 mins (full load, brand new) equates to about 2 mins after one year... and if you are above full load, forget about it.

Good deal, but worth understanding the limitations before taking the plunge.

Anyone know if office depot will price match? Knowing them probably not but I have been trying to get rid of a $30 gift card to them for like 2 years. They are the worst and never have anything at a reasonable price, but I figured I would ask.

Quote from Deltaron : I second the question. Does anyone know? There's no way I'm going to any store until Wednesday (or more likely Thursday or Friday). I have never done Office Max in store pickup before.

The confirmation email since you have until the 29th to pick it up.

Quote from QuestorJones : Quote from nitemare : Yes,this does as stated on page: Standard Warranty 3 Years repair or replace So, for $40 for minimum 3-years = Worth it.. Of course, it is worth noting that the likely scenario is pro-rated replacement cost. And even if it is full replacement, consider the cost of shipping (possibly both ways)... in other words, I would not buy based on the warranty. Also, remember, this gives you approx 4 mins at FULL load (and 13 mins at half load), which is not alot of time, not that other models are that much better in any case. Still 4 mins is enough to hit save (provided your monitor is powered as well... otherwise you would need to "trust" that the data was saved without visual confirmation. UPS are great, but they are very limited. I used them for a while, but since battery life depletes significantly after about a year, trusting them becomes hit-or-miss. And after having to toss several dead ones after a few years, I realized these contribute to environmental issues significantly (if I kept replacing them). But mainly for me I just could not trust them to keep power on long enough.... Think about it: 4 mins (full load, brand new) equates to about 2 mins after one year... and if you are above full load, forget about it. Good deal, but worth understanding the limitations before taking the plunge.

Does anyone know the size if the surge protector in terms of amps? Or do amps not matter in the case of a UPS?

I had the battery die after 35 months so just before warranty was up I contacted APC and they sent me a new one. It comes with a return label too so I just had to put the old one in the box and drop off at UPS. Very easy process.

Having said that, I've also had 2 other units die around 40 to 45 months which is then past warranty so just becomes trash but for the price, worth getting it IMO.