After recent blackouts, I thought it appropriate to get my hands on a UPS for my desktop machine. I gave APC a call, and, the next morning I had the APC Back-UPS CS 650va waiting for me at reception.

Within seconds I had the unit out of its box and was ready to plug it in. First problem -- you have to properly connect the battery before you can begin using it. It is no train smash, although connecting it did take a little effort.

I was, however, grateful for the large neon sticker telling me I had to perform the above-mentioned task, as I am not one for reading manuals, and would have been on the phone complaining bitterly to APC about the ?broken? UPS they had sent.

So I got the battery connected and was ready to rig the unit up to my machine. First things first, shut down my computer and position the unit on top of it. Correctly connecting the cables is no great task either -- there is one power input for three power outlets - meaning you can run your computer and monitor in pitch blackness.

Additionally there is a fourth power outlet -- but this one acts as a surge protector and power supply, the company says.

Not only does the UPS provide power when the rest of Gauteng is in blackness, but it also acts as a surge protector from our famous Highveld electrical storms. There is even a fax or modem jack to protect your telephone equipment from any surges that may pass through Telkom?s lines.

So, in under five minutes of untangling power cords, killing spiders and breaking cobwebs, I had the unit plugged into the power and my monitor and computer plugged into the UPS. I powered up the UPS and the ?Online Light? came on, meaning that all systems were ready to go. Besides the ?Online Light? the APC Back-UPS also has an ?On Battery? indicator, an ?Overload? indicator and a ?Replace battery? light.

Now for the test

Unfortunately Eskom seems to have jacked itself up since our recent power failure, so I had to simulate my own. According to APC the unit only needs eight hours to charge, so the next day, I yanked the UPS power and crossed my fingers. Well, within milliseconds the UPS let me know that there was something terribly wrong, with a flashing amber ?On battery? light and an intermittent beep.

According to the APC the 650va is capable of providing up to 17 minutes of battery time -- that is running both your computer and monitor. If you ask me it is more than enough time to safely shut down your machine down and call it a day.

APC claims that a typical battery life should range from three to six years. Other UPS in the 650va range include the 350, which offers up to 13.2 minutes of battery back-up time, and the 500 which offers up to 10.8 minutes.

Specifications at a glance:

Typical recharge time: eight hours.

Offline battery life: Up to 17 minutes depending on the equipment connected.

Maximum load: 400 watts.

Size: 16.5 X 9.2 X 28.5 cm

Weight: 7.3 kg.