Fried Imac

A few small storms rolled through last week and one of the lightning strikes fried our imac. The apple repair store called and said it was beyond economical repair. Hopefully homeowners insurance will cover the replacement cost.
So, 2 questions.

I'm willing to spend around 1500, maybe a little more if needed. What should I look for in the specs? Just internet and some family photo editing in LR/PS. I don't know a ton about computer specs, just the basic. Most of the Imacs come with 8 GB ram, do I need 16GB?

And what do you guys do for surge protectors? I know I should of unplugged it during a storm but it would be hard to unplug it every time a small storm rolls through GA...

Make sure what you buy is really a surge protector and not just a power strip. It should have a light showing that it is protecting all or a select group of outlets.

You can also get a whole house surge protector. This protects everything, sometimes a good idea with more and more electronics in air conditioners, ranges, refrigerators, etc. Check with a good electrician. Mine cost about $250 on a 160 amp service box. Made by GE as I recall.

I was so used to being able to suspend my laptops that when I got an imac I found it a pain to boot each time. Well, I could suspend, but any power surge and it was off. So I got a UPS. Took a bit to find one with the correct type (real sine wave, not stepped), but that gives me very clean power for my iMac and I know it won't hiccup in power surges if I just leave it suspended. I spent around $200 for the UPS. Definitely not a cheap solution, but cheaper than an new mac.

Wow, I didn't realize there was a good and bad type of UPS (sine wave and stepped).

I have been using a Powerware 5105 that a friend of mine gave me that they use at his company for industrial use (they throw them out when the batteries die rather than replace them, my friend takes them home, gets a new battery and gives them to friends sometimes, rather than see them go to waste).

I wonder how you can check to see if your UPS is a sine or stepped?

Edit: Found this in the manual... "Quasi-sine wave" so this is good to know. Good thread (sorry about the damage though)

drisley wrote in post #17531536
Wow, I didn't realize there was a good and bad type of UPS (sine wave and stepped).

I have been using a Powerware 5105 that a friend of mine gave me that they use at his company for industrial use (they throw them out when the batteries die rather than replace them, my friend takes them home, gets a new battery and gives them to friends sometimes, rather than see them go to waste).

I wonder how you can check to see if your UPS is a sine or stepped?

Edit: Found this in the manual... "Quasi-sine wave" so this is good to know. Good thread (sorry about the damage though)

"Quasi-sine wave" = Stepped.

I think when it comes to lightning NO surge protection will help apart from turning it off and pulling the plug. And make sure you pull the phone line out as well as that is often missed and modem blown.