APC (American Power Conversion) Back-UPS ES 725

• Reviewed by: Qboy

  Strengths: Not observed so far.

  Weaknesses: APC should work harder on quality control in their factory as well as their support center.

  Overall: I have bad experience with this product.I got this product from OfficeDepot on a sale. The first unit has a stuck power button, so I took it back to OfficeDepot for exchange. OfficeDepot folks were so nice to let me exchange for another unit.The second unit that I got seemed to work fine. After 3 months, on a power outage, I then discovered that the battery backup outlets were not providing power. It should have been broken down way earlier than that.I shipped it back to APC for exchange because it was still under warranty. It costed me $14 to ship it back! They ship me a unit that has a LOUD humming noise. The noise is so loud that it could be heard within 15 feet (I am not joking).I am tired of calling APC, packing the unit and shipping it back to them. The shipping fee is one thing. My real worry is that they may ship me another defective unit.APC should work harder on quality control in their factory as well as their support center. The 3 units out of the 3 units that laid my hands on all have problems. I will not buy products from APC any more.I have other UPS units from Energizer and Belkin. Energizer are the most quiet ones, and the only Belkin unit that I own has a small humming noise (acceptable).

• Reviewed by:

  Strengths: I bought 2 of these, and they work well.

  Weaknesses: One of the two I own makes a loud hissing sound that's kind of annoying. And it seems like mine's not the only one that does it. Try to open the item and plug it in before actually buying it.

  Overall: One of the two I own makes a loud hissing sound that's kind of annoying. And it seems like mine's not the only one that does it. Try to open the item and plug it in before actually buying it.

• Reviewed by: netman88

  Strengths: Works as stated

  Weaknesses: Buzzing sound but APC replaced the unit w/o charge

  Overall: This APC UPS is a great unit with 4 surge with battery and 4 surge plug-ins.Originally, the unit that I bought had a buzzing sound. I found it was annoying but it was not anything dangerous. APC has a trouble list on it and when I created a case they took care of it. Got the replacement unit in about a week after the case was created and shipped the orignal one back via UPS.Great Service by APC. I will buy from them again. I have quite a few APC unit w/o problems also.

• Reviewed by: denmalley

  Strengths: Protects components from electrical surges and/or blackouts.

  Weaknesses: Battery tough to connect.

  Overall: Have not had any serious power issues to really test the unit, but having the protection is great peace-of-mind, especially when working long nights on those complex projects. I have not heard the sound issues that others are reporting, except when I'm right beside the unit, it does elicit an almost imperceptible whine, similar to the type of high-pitched sound you sometimes hear from older TVs. The only complaint I had was when I had to hook up the battery (it comes disconnected so that it doesn't drain while on the store shelves). It was very difficult to do, since there was almost no extra lead on the cables that connect to the battery. Handling the heavy battery and the unit while trying to keep the wires connected to the contacts and get it to fit into a very tight compartment was difficult to say the least. The "Powerchute" software that comes with it was very handy to set up for monitoring your electricity. You could set it up so that it will save and close applications and power down the pc if the power goes off for an extended period. I found this extra level of protection to be the icing on the cake.

• Reviewed by: docvenzon

  Strengths: low price, lasts for about 10 minutes

  Weaknesses: relatively heavy

  Overall: This UPS works well. It is able to run my CRT monitor and desktop for around 10 minutes on its own. Enough time for me to save whatever work I was doing. I have not noticed the loud noise other reviewers have commented on. It it relatively heavy, but all UPS are like that.