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These are great, especially in an office environment. Not that good of price at NewEgg. I remember buying one on Amazon for less than $20.00. You can get it for $21.46 without a rebate at amazon.

Wow, that thing looks goofy with all the sliding plug-blocking bits, but after having looked at the closeup pic to see how it's laid out, I like it a lot. Coax and phone protection too, because so many of us have phone lines connected to our PCs now.

Strongly suggest you take a pass and get something with AVR - Automatic Voltage Regulation - which smooths out the AC waveform. Surges hurt computers and compressors (fridges, freezers, air conditioners), but disrupted waveforms (voltage fluctuations) can do as much damage without ever cutting out completely or spiking.

Here's a $21 AVR unit at the egg:
http://windowsxp-privacy.net/?id=01502200020
but it only about 525 Joules spike protection....

Here's a 4949 Joule power conditioner with AVR at the Egg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882303006
...but it's $280...

Generally, you can get reasonable AVR units in the $70 - $150 range; read the specs, and buy according to your power demands. If you get a unit that is rated to provide 10Amps of current draw, but you skimp and power your two window ACs and your souped up computer, drawing a combined 18 Amps, dont' be surprised if your stuff gets blown up.

Of course, air is the best insulator, and I've saved two computer systems (and the AVR box) by unplugging from the wall before leaving town or before a strong line of storms passes. Neighbors on both sides had to buy new equipment, which was covered by insurance less their deductible.

#3 - excellent advice. AVR is the best way to go. I've used "air" many times - it's nice listening to horror stories rather than telling them.

Thanks #3. I've always turned off modem/routers/printer etc from the ups but never unplugged it. Next time air...