This morning I wanted to give my uninterruptible power supply (or UPS) a big, sloppy kiss--and would have, if not for the risk of electrocution.

See, my neighborhood experienced a brief power outage--right when my PC was in the process of booting.

I speak from experience when I say that if a system loses power while it's starting up or shutting down, it could spell disaster. One possible outcome: damaged Windows and a PC that will no longer boot.

That's why I was so grateful to have that battery-backed UPS, which kept my computer alive and booting even while the lights went out around me.

Needless to say, a UPS is also indispensable if the power dies while you're working, as it gives you time to save your documents and shut down safely.

Obviously laptop users already have a "battery backup" built in, so they have less need for a UPS. On the other hand, if you've followed my previous advice to remove the battery while working at a desk, a UPS is just as essential as if you were using a desktop.

So, what kind should you buy? I have no specific recommendations, but you can find popular models like the APC Back-UPS ES for as little as $49.99. (That's very similar to the one I'm using now, and I have no complaints. Quite the opposite, in fact.)

Yep, a battery backup will cost you a few bucks, but I think it's worth it. The computer you save could be your own.