Yes, this unit will provide a few minutes of computer time to shut things down and save files. Please remember that all battery back up units are affected by how much power draining equipment is attached.

Yes it will work absolutely fine for that. I would suggest a model with a higher output though or longer battery life.

Yes, it will do that ok and you are correct...that's exactly what it's for. I think what they meant is that the unit isn't something that will show as a device on your network and as such, is not connectable other than by plugging in a power cord.

In an outage, the UPS is there to allow you enough time to gracefully close off your machine. They're saying that it's not there to continue working not protect the network (only those machines that are attached to it versus the cable line running through your walls to the internet provider). Your power cables into the UPS will pull power from the UPS at a pretty strong rate, so...use the time that you've got to gracefully close out work, save files, and power down.

very good it is made for it does great with mine.

You should have a regular BU routine. If critical, build in automatic periodic backups during the time your system is running. I commented on the units I have used and not a network BB. For that I would suggest you contact APC for info on a network system. Those are an entirely different animal.

Yes that is what its for... It keeps your devices on long enough so that files can be saved and that they can be properly shutdown. Based on the battery back up you get and the amount of devices connected that amount of time differs, typically the more money you spend the more time you will have.

I have used APC battery backups for years. Yes it will work. This is how it works: plug your computer into the battery backup side of the APC, along with external drives, and router. The battery backup has rows of plugs one row is for surge protection only the other row is for battery backup + surges. The above items need plugged into the battery backup + surge side. When the electric goes off you have time to save any files that you may be working on and close them out along with any other programs you have running at the time and shut down your computer as you normally would. I've never had any problems with it shutting my computer down before I was able to save files and shut it down myself. So in answer to your question yes it will work. Just get a backup with enough outlets on the battery backup side to plug in the computer, external drives and router and you'll be set to go. The surge protector side will not keep your computer running while you shut things down. It only protects from surges.