Power failures can cause loss of data, or if you are unlucky even brick your devices, and for business users there may be a maintenance cost. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies) prevent those issues by providing power when the mains fail, and while they are relatively inexpensive, they are quite bulky. That’s probably Compulab designed fit-Uptime a mini UPS taking 12 to 19V input and outputting 12V to keep mini PCs such as the company’s fit-PCs or Intel NUCs for a couple of hours.
fit-Uptime specifications:
- Capacity – 18 watt hour
- Input: DC 12V to 19V
- Output on battery – DC 12V / 5A
- Output when powered – 12V to 19V (same as input) / 5A
- Battery – Lithium polymer built-in non-replaceable (good for up to three hours)
- Dimensions – 6.8 cm (l) x 8 cm (w) x 3.2 cm (h); Power jack: 5.5mm x 2.5mm barrel
- Weight – 240g
The mini UPS works with Compulab fitlet, IPC1/2, fit-PC3/4, Intel NUC (12V and 19V models), and other mini PCs that can take 12V input and require less than 5A. Such solution is ideal for headless applications, as a monitor would turn off during power failures if it does not have itself a power backup. I guess you could always press a key to enter sleep or hibernate mode to prolong the duration of the backup, and wait until the power comes back.
Many low power mini PCs are however powered by 5V, and Compulab does not have a solution for this yet, but there are already 5V/2A mini UPS on Aliexpress selling for less than $25, but since the battery capacity is not listed is unclear how long they are supposed to last. They are mostly targeting devices like routers, IP cameras, and so on, but should also be fine with most Android mini PCs and Intel Atom Z3735F based devices.
Compulab fit-Uptime can be pre-ordered for $68 per unit with shipping starting in November, and includes a 5-year warranty. More details may be found on Compulab’s fit-Uptime product page.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Nice idea filling obvious niche, but seems kind of pricey. How much are existing small UPSs?
@onebir
I bought mine about $60~$70.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Also worth a post!
@onebir
I think I missed the “small” part the first time I read.
Mine is not exactly small:
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Lol – not… tiny 😉
at this point why not just go for the laptop?