Configurator Confusion and TradeUps Limitations

[Anonymous user]

Here is the situation I face today...

I've had multiple APC products. The most current, a CS500 not impacted by the recall in which the battery just gave out. I live in Tucson, AZ which is notorious for summer monsoon storms so I MUST have protection to the computers.

Here is what needs to be protected today and doesn't include another computer we just inherited for the kids:

1 Full Tower
1 Mini Tower
1 Laptop

Full Tower+_
P4 Core 2 Quad
2 GB RAM
nVidia GeForce 8600 - currently 1 but potentially a 2nd soon
2 Removable Media drives
2 HDD
650w PSU
19" LCD

_+*Mini-Tower*+_
P3 - 700
2 HDD
1 Removable Media Drive
1 ZIP Drive
17" CRT

Laptop+_
Laptop + Port Replicator
KVM Switched to Mini-Tower keyboard, mouse and monitor

Along with this are the following accessories
Cable Modem
Wireless Access Point
Powered Speakers with Sub
Ink jet printer

Here is where I am getting messed up. I'd love to find a way to have all the computer be able to be shutdown and powered off and all plugged into the same unit. Is this even remotely possible or will each system have to have its own APC unit?

The other problem I am faced with is the configurator suggests something on the order of 1200va which delivers around 700 watts of power. Will that honestly give me 10 minutes of shutdown on the 3 computers above?

This is also where the TradeUps program fails me in that my current 500CS will only trade up to a Smart-Ups 1000SC. Will this $300 unit do what I need? How can I get the bigger yet lesser expensive unit in a TradeUps scenario? Am I asking for too much or is what I am seeking possible? Would love to get this ordered ASAP before the summer monsoons get here.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[EZ_Button_apc · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately the trade-ups program does limit you to only doubling your trade-in capacity, so ordering a higher valued unit would not be possible through APC.

Judging from all your equipment, you're probably going to be looking at purchasing a few seperate UPS's, since a single unit probably won't support your load capacity without overloading. If any could do it, the one linked below would, and you would probably want an external battery pack for increased runtime.

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SURTA1500XL&total_watts=50

However, this is probably a bit expensive for your liking.

You'll probably want to look into just getting a single small UPS per system, or at least one for your higher end machine w/ accessories and one for the minitower / laptop and accessories. This would allow you to somewhat utilize the trade-ups program for at least one unit.

That being said, I would recommend calling the sales team at 800-890-4272. They can refer you to an online reseller that may be able to provide you a better deal or work with you to get a good price on some new units. They can also work with the trade-ups program for you!

Hope that helps and good luck!