UPSs: I need to justify the purchase of one.

IMO, a UPS is an invaluable extension of your computer. The nice thing about the good ones is that not only do they keep you up and running for a period of time during power outage, but they take the jolt of the power coming back on. A nice feature is that you do not have to be there to shut your system down. This can be done through software. The prices have really come down over the past few years and it really is a good investment.

When I sold computers (in the dark ages known as the 1980's) I insisted on selling a UPS with every unit. You want to make sure the unit has good surge protection, that is key. I would ask people "how much would you pay in ransom if someone kidnapped all your data?" and "how bad would you feel if there was no guarantee that after paying the ransom that you would get your data back?". If you computer is backed up hourly or you just keep fluffy junk on it, a UPS might be overkill. If you have anything of value (like business info, your great novel, photos never printed out, personal finance etc) you should consider a UPS. It's cheaper than a tech restore in the long run and a lot less aggravating. I don't think the time it gives you to shut down is as important as the surge protection. I am long out of the business, so you will have to do your own research about brands. Good luck.

the ups kicks in when the power goes down the your software will tell the machine to safely shut down if u specify this is the beauty of ups safe shutdown after power failure, also if u are aware of the power failure u can save your work before the machine shuts down. if you have an expensive machine and important data get a UPS guys.

If you would prefer to minimize the risk of the inconvenience of replacing your data and programs and/or repairing or replacing your 'puter and peripherals, a UPS is a no-brainer.

All of my electronics - entertainment, communication, and computer - are connected to mains power via commercial-grade voltage-regulated, surge-protected, high-capacity UPS modules. While for most folks, that level of protection and isolation would be overkill, a "just-in-case" device that costs about the same as a single game or program is cheap insurance. "An ounce of prevention ... " and all that.

hmmm I have a ton of stuff going in and outta my ups, what I love best it beeps in low power situations and some time it'll give me a heads-up before something really happens powerwise.