Well, from Detroit Michigan, (We have DTE Energy) and I wouldn't consider running a computer without an APC/UPS. Lots of "Brown outs" and the occasional spike. Plus the transformer down the block from my apartment has blown out several times over the past couple years I've lived here. Not pretty stuff. The average light bulb only lives a few months here.
Heck, I even have my TV and TiVo on a small APC, like
this.(The computers are all on larger APCs like your first link)
