Without it, your PC is blind. With it, you get a digital dashboard for your electricity. Most people think a UPS just keeps the computer on during a blackout. That is true for about 30 seconds. But what if the power is out for 30 minutes? You aren't going to sit there watching your battery tick down.

If you haven’t installed the (officially called PowerPanel® Personal ), the answer is no. You are essentially using a very expensive surge protector.

Let’s break down why that little USB cable (included in the box) is the most important part of your setup. The USB cable creates a direct communication link between your UPS and your computer. The PowerPanel Personal software acts as the translator. It tells your PC exactly what the UPS is seeing regarding power quality and battery status.