The US$99 APC Back-UPS ES 750 is an UPS that provides battery backup and surge protection to connected equipment while saving electricity, according to the folks at APC. That's true though there's one big drawback. More on that in a moment.
Setting up the UPS involves some cable connecting and battery charging, but it's all a simple process. The device sports master/controlled outlets that cut down on energy consumption by automatically shutting down power to unused peripherals, such as printers, scanners and speakers when your Mac is in sleep mode. The master outlet is designed to sense current drawn by connected equipment, typically a computer. When your Mac powered down or goes into sleep mode, the master outlet automatically shuts down the controlled outlets, which consume power even when the computer is off. By cutting power to these “dark loads,†the APC Back-UPS ES 750 can provide a combined savings of US$40 per year on average as compared with competitors’ models, according to Joe Loberti, senior vice president, Home and Distributed Systems, APC.
Alas, the master control outlets of the APC Back-UPS ES 750 aren't backed up with battery power. This means that if the electricity dies while you're working and your monitor or cable modem is plugged into a master control socket, your work comes to a standstill. On the other hand, if you plug the same devices into a socket backed with battery power, you lose the "green" power control and benefits.
On a brighter not (no power pun intended) the APC Back-UPS ES 750 boasts a new industrial design that uses less copper and other raw materials during the manufacturing process and its packaging is made from recycled material. Additionally, the unit is compliant with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS); RoHS prohibits the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacturing of electronics, including lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, and PBDE.
The APC Back-UPS ES 750 offers 10 outlets, all of which provide surge protection with five of the 10 also providing battery backup. Additionally, the unit offers coax and telephone or Ethernet protection so surges and spikes don't travel through data lines. The ES 750 can handle an overall load of 450 watts, and APC rates the unit for 70 minutes of backup runtime. However, you'll almost certainly see less time if you've got as many gadgets hooked up to the UPS as I have.
The APC Back-UPS 750 also comes with Mac compatible PowerChute software, which unattended shutdown of servers and workstations in the event of an extended power outage. It also monitors and logs the UPS status.
Although the lack of battery power is disappointing, the APC Back-UPS 750 is a fine desktop UPS. Also note that, at 19 pounds, it's not a light solution. But it packs plenty of punch in its hefty body.
Macsimum rating: 7.5 out of 10
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