What size APC battery backup do I need?

[aob]

Went to Office Depot and salesman tried to sell the largest size APC unit they have, but cannot seem to tell me why I need 1000, as opposed to a 700, 650 or 500 unit.

I will be plugging in 3 computers, only two of which are on at a time, the monitor and miscellaneous other electronic devices. I am seldom more than 5 minutes away from the office, in the event of a power loss. So, I do not need a battery backup to provide 30 minutes of back up. I need 3 to 5 minutes to allow me to shut down the computers I am using, in the event of a power loss.

Do I need more than a 500 unit, for my protection?

[jdc2000]

Depends on the PC components. There are capacity configuration tools available online.

http://www.apcc.com/template/size/apc/index.cfm

[aob]

jdc:

Thanks. Went to the site. Plugged in my units and got a recommendation.

That is what I needed. It looks like I can go with the 650 unit for my needs.

Thanks, again.

[SuperSparks]

Get one of the Smart-UPS models, and it will gracefully shut down the computers when the battery level reaches a pre-determined level. Otherwise Sod's law dicates that the one time you are away from the office for more than 5 minutes will be when you have a power failure :rolleyes: If you get a model that can shutdown the PC's then the extended runtime that you get from the larger units becomes unnecessary.

[Train]

And if you get the right item, it can shut your pc down for you.

[aob]

The smart units look like they do more (and cost more), but do more than I need. I need protection from the intermittent power fluctuations we get here in South Florida quite often. However, if I am away from the office, I will have already saved my work and an extended power loss will not be disastrous.

I will look into both, though.

Thanks guys. I know much more now than when I posted my thread.