|
Features
|
The
Unit
|
- Output power
capacity 650 VA
- Output power
capacity 410 Watts
- Nominal output
voltage 120 V
- Waveform type
Stepped approximation to a sinewave
- Typical backup
time at half load 13.9 minutes
- Surge energy
rating (Joules) 480
- Audible noise
at 1 meter from surface of unit
- Approvals CSA;FCC
B;UL 1778
|
|
The APC Back-UPS
PRO 650
Just
a few weeks ago we looked APC's Back-UPS 650 unit. It ended winning our editor's
choice award for its features and affordability. However, the UPS 650 was
not perfect in all ways: the biggest complaint was lying in its recharge times.
A typical 11 hours was required to fully charge the battery. Another of our
complaints to APC was for not including the computer interface in the kit;
you had to fill out a form and send it to APC in order to obtain the kit.
However, these little negatives were not enough for not recommending the UPS
650, its affordable price was really where it shined.
In this article we look at APC's new and improved
Back-UPS 650 Solution, its the new brother of the previous reviewed UPS 650.
Both units are very similar in technical terms and designs, however the PRO
version comes with more features, like an LED message center on the front
side.
A study by IBM has shown that a typical computer is subject to more than 120
power problems per month. The effects of power problem range from the subtle
keyboard lockups, hardware degradation to the dramatic complete data loss
or burnt motherboards.
According to a survey by the Yankee Group, almost half of the corporations
researched put their down time costs at upwards of $1.000(US) per hour, with
nine percent estimating costs up to or more than $50.000(US) per hour. Clearly,
businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on utility power supplies that
are pushed beyond their capacity. Of-course these realities do not only concern
companies or big corporations. They are also touching a very big portion of
home users: a slight power problem could result in anything from losing your
precious work to serious hardware damage to your PC.
A Technical Overview
The first noticeable thing about the Back-UPS PRO 650 is its improved
design. The PRO versions (650 and lower) are painted black (Charcoal)
and have a very attractive appearance. APC decided to use some of their fashion
talents and completely redesign the main face of the unit; they eliminated
the old styled switches featured on its older units, with a single power button
and four messages LED’s. For the final touches, they have bumped some corners
to get a futuristic look.
As already stated earlier, the front side of
the unit features a message center powered by LED’s. First is the on-line
LED, it illuminates when the UPS is supplying utility power to the battery
load. Second, is the Overload LED, it illuminates when loads exceed the UPS’
capacity. Third is the On-Battery LED, it illuminates when the UPS is operating
using the battery, fourth and last is the Replace-Battery LED, when the battery
fails a self test, the replace-battery LED illuminates.
|
Model
|
Output
power capacity
|
Typical
recharge time
|
Back-UP
Time (*)
|
Price
($USD) |
|
Back-UPS
PRO 650
|
420W
|
6
Hours
|
44Min,
53Sec
|
$299 |
|
Back-UPS
650
|
400W
|
11
Hours
|
35Min,
27Sec
|
$199 |
*Varies PC to PC
The PRO 650 has an identical set of features
in the back as the earlier reviewed Back-UPS 650. It includes a FAX/Modem
surge protection that will guard your PC from "back-door" surges. You can
only use one telephone line on it as it only features a line in and a line
out. It also features two surge protection outlets that are designed for equipment
that needs surge protection and not power back up during an outage. The PRO
model also features two BlockSafe outlets; they are corded sockets that can
at the same time accept block type plugs without covering other outlets.
The PRO 650 version features a total output power capacity of 410Watts compared
to the Standard 650 version that offers 400Watts, not a very big deal, but
should be of concern when investing the 100$ extra for the PRO version. Another
technical feature that is definitely worth mentioning is the use of a newer
and improved battery. The older brother (650) required over 11 hours in order
to fully charge the battery; the PRO version requires anything from five to
hours for a full
load. 
