When comparing CyberPower OL1500RTXL2U vs APC BX850M, the Slant community recommends APC BX850M for most people. In the question“What are the best UPS units with data line protection?” APC BX850M is ranked 1st while CyberPower OL1500RTXL2U is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose APC BX850M is:
It can be plugged to a computer via USB and, this way, controlled or configured via the operating system. Users can do operations like schedule an automatic shutdown.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Substantially expandable battery life
The default three minute battery life of this UPS (at full load) can be extended using external battery modules. A single battery module can triple the unit’s battery life from three to nine minutes on-battery lifetime at full load. Up to 10 of these modules can be attached for a total of 63 minutes at full load. The modules can also be installed even while the system is running.
Pro Can be placed outside the network rack
This unit comes with the tabs and screws necessary for mounting it on a U rack or a tower stand. This means you can opt to save precious space in a server enclosure by placing the UPS somewhere outside the network rack. Since the UPS has a large form factor (2U rack), this can be helpful.
Pro Has a removable LCD control panel
You can use the LCD control panel to control and view the UPS’s settings. The fact that it’s removable is quite helpful, since UPSs are often installed in inconvenient places such as crowded IT closets, at the bottom of a rack or even on the floor. The LCD panel can be placed up to 10 feet away from the UPS itself, though you’ll need a DB26 cable (not included) to connect it.
Pro Can be controlled via a computer
It can be plugged to a computer via USB and, this way, controlled or configured via the operating system. Users can do operations like schedule an automatic shutdown.
Pro Easy to monitor
The BX850M has an LCD display for quick stat monitoring. It gives out info such as current voltage, battery time remaining or load.
Pro Batteries are easy to replace
If there's ever a need to replace this unit's battery, a replacement battery is quite easy to find online. As for the replacement operation itself, it's very simple and requires virtually no technical knowledge: you just need to remove the battery cover, take out the battery, unplug the connectors, and then the opposite steps in reverse order for the new battery.
Pro Good for domestic or small office workstations
This unit's 510 W power and surge protection up to 1103 J make it a good option for protecting most home electronic equipment and even some office-level devices, if they are not too demanding.
Cons
Con External batteries are large and expensive
A single external battery module costs $413.88 and has a 2U rack form factor. Doubling the on-battery lifespan of a single unit would cost about ⅔ of the price of the UPS. Also, space in a server rack is usually very limited, therefore, expensive. The external battery module would also take up 2U rack height, same as the UPS itself.
Con Not all outlets have power backup
Despite having a total of 8 outlets, all with surge protection, only 4 of them have power backup.