APC Back-UPS® ES 550VA 8-Outlet Power-Saving UPS

Comments about APC Back-UPS® ES 550VA 8-Outlet Power-Saving UPS:

This product is rock solid. We've been using the same units at work for almost 2 years.

I just got a few for home use (TVs, computers, etc).

The idea that other reviewers gave negative ratings because it was heavy and only half the ports are battery backup means (A) you've never used a UPS before because to keep things running that take hundreds of watts you HAVE to have a big battery, or (B) you should read the specifications. The box never said 8 ports of battery backup.

Anyway we have 4 around the house and they work great. I actually like the 4 ports only of battery backup. I don't want my lamps and other non-critical devices staying on during a power outage, just the devices like computers that are important to shut down gracefully. The more units using battery power, the less time to react in an outage.

Comments about APC Back-UPS® ES 550VA 8-Outlet Power-Saving UPS:

APC produces a decent product but it is unfortunate that only HALF of the outlets on this unit (and many others) only provide battery backup and surge suppression - the other half provide surge suppression ONLY.

Just be aware - 8 outlets does not mean 8 outlets of backup. It is very misleading.

Comments about APC Back-UPS® ES 550VA 8-Outlet Power-Saving UPS:

I purchased this product as an alternative to replacing an expensive (IBM) laptop battery. The UPS cost a fraction of the laptop battery. It's not really portable, but I use my laptop in only a few locations. The 12 pounds in a separate bag counter balances the laptop case with all it's accessories. Long lasting, very quiet and it generates almost no heat while connected the AC.

Comments about APC Back-UPS® ES 550VA 8-Outlet Power-Saving UPS:

Priced too high. Purchased only because it was on sale but still high I think. It appears they have not changed associated PowerChute software application in years so no new development efforts there. No new buttons/feautres on the unit itself either so no new feature/functionality here as well that I can see. You can turn off annoying beeps every 30 seconds via PowerChute software and just have it beep when its low battery. The power is out in your office or home so why in the world (by default settings) do you need to be reminded you have no power by hearing beeping every 30 seconds. Remember it beeps in the middle of the night on a power hit or outage even if your computer is off. Imagine if you have more than one of these in your home and the power goes out. All that beeping every 30 seconds! It is a surge protector with 8 outlets (four with backup power, 4 just surge) basically the same as it has been for years. You would think they should have recouped R&D costs by now, lower the price.

Comments about APC Back-UPS® ES 550VA 8-Outlet Power-Saving UPS:

that should be adequate for most personal users. Monitor, tower, portable HD, maybe the printer. Or, HD, DVD, Receiver and ?? For the money, this is a great value and product, but if you need to set up more on a backup basis rather than surge, you should consider upgrading.

Comments about APC Back-UPS® ES 550VA 8-Outlet Power-Saving UPS:

Would not recommend to anyone. Several dozen warnings per day, claiming power outages. So I bought another USB Serial Card, thinking my USB ports weren't good. Didn't fix it. They recommend you use Netscape or IE for browser. I always use Firefox. Then yesterday I get a message claiming the battery is 3+ years old, I just bought this less than 4 weeks ago. Are they reselling used equipment, as new!! [...] Bad experience all around.