UPS for Mac Mini

[Mikethebook]

I'm completely new to the subject of UPSs but want to protect the SSD of my Mac Mini should there be a power cut. Where we live that is not an infrequent possibility. I don't need to keep the internet going just stop my Mac Mini crashing. Can anyone advise me of a simple UPS that will do this for me. Ideally it would keep the computer going through the power cut but I would also be interested in one that would give me a few minutes to shut down the computer properly.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

I think that attaching a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to your Macintosh is an excellent idea, even if you don't live in an area with unreliable power. I've noticed that Macs attached to UPS's tend to have way fewer problems than those that are not. Most importantly, Macs with rotating disk hard drives tend to have RDHD's that last way longer if they are attached to a UPS.

There are several factors to take into account in choosing a UPS for your computer. The first is the draw of your computer and vital accessories (such as an external hard drive and monitor). You need to choose a UPS that can allow your computer setup to run for five or ten minutes during a blackout to give you enough time to save your work and shut down everything properly. Here is a model selection tool from CyberPower that will help:
https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/tools/ups-selector/

Make sure that you get a UPS with AVR (automatic voltage regulation). Cheap and poorly made UPS's don't have this feature, and trust me, you really want it. It protects your computer from sags in the power, in addition to surges. Note that APS brand UPS's sometimes curiously don't have AVR (this isn't always the case, but you should be careful to check), even if their price would indicate that they should.

Just a short story. I was once hired by this office to fix a problem where their Macs randomly and spontaneously shut down all the time. They were at their wit's end trying to figure out what was causing the problem.

To make a long story short, there was a break room with a refrigerator. When the refrigerator cycled on, it caused such a sag in the power to the entire office of Macs would shut down because of it. Putting APS UPS's on the Macs didn't help at all. Putting good UPS's with AVR on the Macs fixed everything.

This is the brand and model of UPS that I most often recommend (CyberPower products usually offer an excellent combination of features, reliability and price):

CyberPower 1000AVR ($110 with free shipping)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QZ3UG0/?tag=macforums0e4-20
or
http://is.gd/iaxI4

You only need to plug things into the battery-backed outlets of your UPS that need power to allow you to have time to save your work and properly shut down in the advent of a brownout or a blackout. That means your computer, monitor, any external hard drives, and that's about it. *NEVER* attach a printer to a UPS, that will usually be far too much of a draw. Any other peripheral (including your printer) can be attached to a surge-only outlet on your UPS, or to a separate surge suppressor.

Note that your UPS can be set to automatically shut down your Macintosh properly if it is unattended and there is a blackout or brownout. The software to to do this is included in the MacOS. See:

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18593?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/support/faqs/faq_OSX_UPS.html

I hope this helps.

 

[Mikethebook]

Hi Randy,

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. This is technology that's way beyond me and going through the selection tool I realise I don't understand most of the language e.g Output VA and Output Watts. When I clicked on your link to your favourite model you had to choose different levels of VA/Watts. Then there's Standby, Line Active or Double Conversion and Sinewave or Simulated Sinewave. That's just to start. The other problem is that I'm not in the USA but on a stormy Scottish Island and the model you like is very expensive here, over twice the price it is in the USA. Unfortunately I'm on a budget.

Currently I have my Mac Mini, my VGA monitor and an external backup drive going through a surge protector. The printer too but that I could reroute. Can you tell me what VA/Watts I need? That would be a start.

Sifting through Amazon.co.uk there are inexpensive UPSs, often APS but I'm not sure all of them have AVR or can be set to automatically shut down your Macintosh properly.

Thanks again for your help. I may come back with further questions.

Cheers
Mike

 

[Mikethebook]

Hi Randy,
Using the CyberPower search tool for the UK I ended up getting this series that allows the use of British 3-pin plugs. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01ABMUVTQ/. I wonder what you think of it and what power version I would need. I'm not sure whether it can be set to shut down the Mac properly but I gather CyberPower software is for Windows only. I also tried my Macs System Preferences - Energy Saver and there is not UPS option. Is that because I'm on El Capitan or because it will only appear when the UPS is attached by USB?

APC have a similar model at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002RXED6A/. Amazon's best seller. But I can't see AVR though it seems to come with equipment insurance. What are your thoughts please? Are either likely to be any good in your opinion.

Thanks for all your help.
Cheers
Mike

 

[IWT]

Hi Mikethebook

The device to which you point via link to the UK Amazon store is a UPS plus AVR. There are 6 three-pin UK outlets - 3 are UPS only and 3 are UPS + AVR. And 1000VA is more than enough.

The option to close down etc is Mac-based and the UPS is detected by the Mac (under Energy Saver) and allows for a controlled shutdown of your Mac. This is not advertised at product level because it is in-built to the Mac.

And as far as I know, these products are neither Windows nor Mac specific. Their functionality is based on your power supply and therefore available for PC or Mac usage.

Ian

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Hi Randy,

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. This is technology that's way beyond me and going through the selection tool I realise I don't understand most of the language e.g Output VA and Output Watts. When I clicked on your link to your favourite model you had to choose different levels of VA/Watts. Then there's Standby, Line Active or Double Conversion and Sinewave or Simulated Sinewave. That's just to start. The other problem is that I'm not in the USA but on a stormy Scottish Island and the model you like is very expensive here, over twice the price it is in the USA. Unfortunately I'm on a budget.

You're overthinking it.

You don't need any of the fancier UPS's, they are mostly for folks with touchy audiophile stereo systems and the like.

A 1000VA UPS should be plenty for your needs, that's what I linked to.

I also told you, and gave links to, the fact that the auto shutdown software for UPS's is built-into the Mac OS. You can disregard any software that comes with a UPS. You also can do completely without the auto shutdown software if you prefer. UPS's are platform-neutral.

 

[Mikethebook]

Hi Randy & Ian,

Thanks for your replies. I probably was over thinking it. Your help has made me see it more as a sophisticated surge protector with a battery. Sounds like it is virtually plug and play too.
Many thanks

Mike

 

[pm-r]

A bit late here for the OP, but just thought I mention the excellent and well made Tripp Lite units.




- Patrick
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[Mikethebook]

Thanks for the input. Way out of my price bracket here in the UK.