A pure sine wave UPS is definitely NOT necessary. All the hype about pure sine wave is just that, pure "
marketing hype".
It is important to note that step approximated (also known as stepped sine wave, modified sine wave, or approximated sine wave) UPS have been used successfully
for decades to protect PCs and other sensitive devices
without any problems. The only people really pushing pure sine wave UPS are the makers of such UPS trying to take business away from the other UPS makers. The only devices that
might need a pure sine wave UPS is critical life support or life sign monitoring systems in operating rooms and ICUs. But even those have been using stepped approximated sine wave UPS for decades without problems. It is even further important to note that today's power supplies are even more capable of tolerating any anomalies than those of 10, 15, or 20 years ago. So do not buy into the hype you need a pure sine wave UPS. It is just pure marketing BS! I currently have a step approximated UPS on all my computers, network gear, home theater audio equipment, and my big screen TV and do not hesitate to recommend them to any one else.
The noisy, chopped sine wave (almost square wave) output of a surge and spike protector is much more "dirty" than your typical stepped approximated output of a decent UPS.
Understand pure sine wave UPS have only recently become popular because their prices have come down, and their makers have done extensive marketing for them. But again, there is nothing to suggest they will protect your connected devices any better.
If you find a pure sine wave UPS at a reasonable price that meets your needa, fine. But there is no need to limit your options or go out of your way looking for one. Any 1/2 way decent computer power supply, can easily handle the output waveform from a step approximated UPS, as can any power supply for monitors, routers, modems, etc.
I read what "she" ("Honey" sounds more feminine than masculine) as asking for alternatives to what she already had. All she said was,
And yes, there are plenty of APC UPS alternative. I have the 1500VA version of this
APC protecting my computer, all my network gear and both 24" monitors.
