APC adds LCD, zero-draw power outlets to new Back-UPS Pro models
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 5th 2010 9:22PM
posted April 5th 2010 9:22PM
A new uninterruptible power supply isn't exactly the sort of thing to garner a ton of attention, but APC's latest Back-UPS Pro models do pack a few more features than your average power supply, and may just have you considering trading up. They're still just as uninterruptible as ever, of course, but the BR1300G and BR1500G models add a snazzy new LCD that displays the estimated runtime and other critical information, as well as some new power-saving outlets that will automatically shut off power to any unused devices. Otherwise, you can expect runtimes of between 92 and 164 minutes (depending on what's connected, of course), six or ten power outlets, and APC's usual PowerChute software for some more enhanced power management. Still no firm word on a release date for these, but they should be available sometime in the second quarter for between $129.99 and $249.99.
Interesting product but no word about wattage
@WinRulez
I always tell the truth, even when I lie.
@HellFlyer
Gonna guess from the model numbers that they're probably 1300VA and 1500VA models. These look like they're just replacements (maybe?) for the older 1300VA and 1500VA models. But if they stick at that pricepoint I can definitely see myself getting one. Been needing a UPS for a while.
@HellFlyer
Just curious what would these be used for???
Do they act as a sort of power surge protector?
I never understood these...
@abedinthehouse
That and a battery backup in case of power failure. APC makes these in varying models and sizes, ranging from simple home use to powering entire data centers during a power outage.
They also make some pretty good power conditioners as well.
@abedinthehouse
They're worth the $..My batt in my APC just went out a couple days ago and I've had it through 3 hurricanes, 2 tropical storms, and a freak freeze/snow fall(I'm in TX) in about 5-6 yrs. Paid about $75 from staples and it STILL works as a surge protector..
Good stuffs..
@PBB
I'll attest to that! I have an APC C10BLK hooked up to my LN40B550 , Cable box, 360, PS3, Wii, and audio receiver. It's saved all of those devices at least 3 times, and it's a lot more cost affective to replace the conditioner/surge protector than it is to have to replace or repair every single one of those devices...
@ytilanigiroon
They are very useful if you value stuff that's plugged into it indeed. I have my 60" LCD tv and Tivo hooked up into one which gives me couple of minutes of run time which all I need since 99% of the power outages I get last only seconds...
Sick. Good price point too. Hoping it handles the 1000 watt PSU's..
I wish more case manufacturers would include UPS in their case design, even if it's just a crappy one that only lasts 5 mins after power is lost, that should be enough time for me to save stuff and properly shut the computer.
@TomTom2010 5 mins would hardly be worth it, but if they could include some sort of battery inside a PSU which can last about 15 mins, that would be awsome!
@MatteoVega yeah... until the lead acid battery leaks, due to heat, environment concerns. Its been tried.
@skaistrendy Or they could hook the battery up to the breaker box. Of course that really wouldn't help unless the power just flickered off, because you'd have no idea the power went out unless you hooked the smoke alarms to go off or something, but that would scare the shit out of me.
@skaistrendy
UPS use dry cells batteries. .
I have a 4 year old 500 APC UPS no problems & a (new) 1500 Cyberpower UPS no problems. The batteries are well sealed.
This new APC is nicer looking with the white LCD. For the no draw outlets, I would like to know how it knows when I want to power too whatever electronic, unless they mean it has a "switch outlet" (?).
@Seemore They are lead acid batteries. Over time due to heat if not taken cared of they can swell and leak. They even have potential with getting stuck into units if customers leave them in the units for 5-6 years. Believe me I know :0)
@Seemore The model I have has one master and two to three slave outlets. When I turn on the computer connected to the master outlet, the slave outlets start providing power to whatever is hooked up (speakers, scanner, monitors, etc).
I'd guess that's what the source article and posting here refer to as power-saving outlets that powre off unused peripherals, but didn't see these models on APC's site to confirm.
@MatteoVega
All you need is enough time to shut system down to prevent hard drive and other component failures. Most surges/outages last only seconds, and these UPS units are great protection to your valuable equipment.
This is a great addition, however I'd like to know the overall, standby draw of the UPS to keep the battery charged.
I've found that an APC UPS, even without anything connected, will draw a constant 2 watts. That doesn't sound like much, but when you have 100 workstations and 100 UPS's, that adds up to 1752 kWh a year (roughly $210 annually in UPS 'vampire' power). It'd be nice if they could minimize that.
Pfew, hey guys! Can I take shelter in here from all the iPad articles. It war out there I tell you! Anyway I never knew UPSs were that cheap, then again on a laptop you sorta got a ups built in...
finally some real news, i hate iPad and apple ...grr
@kaasinees I don't hate apple, got some products from them my own, but engadget is saturated with apple flavor!
@kaasinees
http://www.engadget.com/exclude/Apple
Go there and stay there.
I so want one of these
@ Distant- If you are using a 1000 watt power supply and maxing it out this will not work for you. you may want to consider a Smart-UPS unit APC offers.
@GeekPI- yes there will always be a constant draw from the UPS for its multiple uses, powering LCD and/or LED lights, trickle charging the battery etc.
@hellflyer- 780 Watts / 1300 VA which it comes out to be.
I dont work at APC or anything.... :0)
and a word to the wise these units will not work with new XPS systems, Back-UPS are primarily used for Step-Approx sine wave systems. Smart-UPS are for Pure since wave, which you will see in many servers and high end systems.
Besides the possible lower power usage, how is this any different from my 1+ year old APC Back-Ups XS? (http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BX1500LCD)
@f001 your not missing out on much, just a newer design with a more informative LCD display,
@skaistrendy How is the display more informative? My model shows the load in watts, % of its capacity, the output frequency and voltage, the input voltage, the number of low/no power incidents, and the amount of time it can run on it's batteries based on the current load.
What else can it possibly display that would be of any use?
@f001
I was just gonna say, this looks like blatent advertising for a "new" model of the same product they have been offering for over a year
@guroth
How dare APC inform potential customers of their products!
Seriously though, my Conext CNB950 (an APC re-brand) UPS recently died and I'm looking for a new one. 1.3KVA should do just fine for my modest rig...
@f001 It also has event log recording. Which is a big plus to the people who do not want to use powerchute software on the computer.
My non-pro model does the exact same thing...
Overkill for someone like me. All I need in a UPS are 2 things:
1 - Something to keep all my gear from restarting when there is a spike/blip in power.
2 - Something with drivers to command all my machines to disk-state hibernate when there's a loss of power over 2 minutes. About 15 minutes at the MAXIMUM would do the trick. Since this is most UPS systems, I'd say again, the new guy is overkill.
Looks nice. I'll have to keep this in mind. I don't currently have a UPS, but it'd be nice to have one since we get a lot of random power outages around here - especially during the summer.
Let me see if I understand this.
the cheaper $130 one (BR1300G) can pump out 780 watts for 92 minutes...? is that how they figure the time?
@(Unverified) It's more like 5 minutes at full load. If you look up a similar model on the APC site (this one isn't listed), you can see runtime graphs.
@(Unverified)
I have a similar XS 1300. I am using 200 watts. My approx run time is 20 min. At least those are the numbers the LCD screen says.
I bought one back in Feb that looks exactly the same as the photo, with the same feature sets (not sure about the wattage specs tho)
shu - I went to BB.com, and they do have what your talking about...the only diference I've noticed is the model number is slightly different. (BX vs BR).
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/APC+-+1500VA+Battery+Back-Up+System+-+Black/9307831.p?id=1218081367518&skuId=9307831
@(Unverified) Correct there is nothing different between BX and BR. the BX is for Consumer purchase meaning if you go into best buy or staples it comes in a pretty box. the BR just comes in a plain brown box if you purchase directly from APC or there reseller
do any of these units have an on board webserver so you can just LAN them to your switch ?
@smeee
If it's like the BX1300G's or other Back-UPS models that I have (which looks exactly like the pictured model), no.
To get SNMP/remote functionality you need a Smart UPS with SmartSlot and the management card. They make a great pair - you can telnet/web in remotely, check the UPS status, reboot it, even check the environmental temperature/humidity with the correct sensor unit attached..
My UPS doubles as a foot warmer. Talk about useful!
Anyways, a few of my Belkins have decided to bite the dust and so I'm in the market for a new one. Does anyone know if there will be a model that will not have an active cooling system (not have a fan?) Also, having the option of turning off the back light (or turn off the LCD) would also be a must as well!
@Raven yes you can turn off the backlight, the active cooling system is a must for long time efficiency. if you do not want a fan there are other options (smaller scale) but tell you the truth the fan is not that bad
BTW, those zero-draw outlets are kind of a scam. I bought one and all it does is disconnect bunch of outlets if specific one is not drawing any power. I found this feature useless...