Labs

Like Belkin's 800VA Universal UPS, the 1200VA is incredibly heavy, at 13.1kg. That's evidently because it contains a huge battery, which can deliver up to 670W of power, enough for a typical high-specification gaming PC.

The three standard UK plug sockets can keep your PC and monitor going in a power cut, as well as another device such as a router or a desk lamp - not a bad idea to avoid having to scrabble around in the dark while you sort things out. Like the 800VA, the 1200VA Universal UPS comes with Belkin's Bulldog Plus software, which can control your PC via a USB or serial cable. It can save open files, shut down Windows and email you.

The 1200VA had mixed results in our tests. It lasted the longest by far in the idle test, 49 minutes, but with the PC in operation its time of 22 minutes and 56 seconds was beaten by the less powerful 800VA model.