TMO Quick Tip - Caring For Your Mac's Battery Backup

by , 7:30 AM EDT, April 25th, 2007

Using an uninterrupted power supply, or UPS, with your Mac and other network gear is a great idea - as long as the battery backup actually works. Just like any other rechargeable device, the battery in your UPS has a finite life, and it's a good idea to replace an old battery before you need to rely on it when the power goes out.

As a rule of thumb assume that the battery in your UPS will last between two and five years, depending on use. If you overload a battery backup, however, you will likely see a much shorter life-span for your battery. For example, ganging up multiple computers on a UPS designed to handle only one machine, or plugging in a laser printer are sure ways to prematurely wear out a battery. If you aren't sure how to pick out a unit that will meet your electrical needs, check out my Quick Tip on selecting a battery backup.

Battery backups from companies like APC, Belkin, and Tripp Lite are typically designed with user-replaceable batteries, which means you don't have to throw out the device when its battery is dead. Just buy a replacement battery and swap it out with the old one.

If you aren't using a UPS to protect your Mac from potential damage from power outages, dips, and surges, it's only a matter of time before an electrical incident catches you off guard. Be sure to buy and properly use a UPS with your Mac and every other electrical device on your network before you lose critical files or expensive equipment.

Jeff Gamet is TMO's Morning Editor and Reviews Editor. He lectures, teaches and speaks on Mac OS X and design-related topics, and is the author of The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X from Peachpit Press.

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