all surge protectors the same? is my choice alright? newbie here

are all the surge protectors the same? Does it matter what brand to use? This is the one I bought, http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Cyber...oductDetail.do
Each one probably has a different electrial rating, but does that really matter? I don't know what any of those specifications mean but I hope my choice won't damage anything, my laptop, stereo, and small tv will be plugged into it. Here are the laptop power adapter specs...input= 100-240v~ 1.6a(1.6a) 50-60Hz and output= 18.5v 3.8a. This is the specs for the surge protector...1250 joules, maximum surge voltage on all household wiring is 6000 volts, UL 1449 listed with clamping voltage= 330 volts, electrial rating= 125v, 15a, 60hz-1875 watts continious and circuit breaker 15 amps. I don't know all this means, so can someone help me out and tell me if this surge protector is okay to use on my laptop. Big thanks!

 

all cheap consumer surge protectors are pretty much the same. they'll give you a little protection against minor power inconsistencies.

don't expect it to save your computer if your house gets struck by lightning though. a surge protector is made to protect against spikes around 10%. if you're running on 120v, that would protect you up to 132v. a strike of lightning is millions of volts so your surge protector isn't going to do anything.

the best course of action during an electrical storm is to completely unplug your computer from the outlet.

all that being said, having anything is better than nothing when it comes to any normal inconsistencies from your power company.

 

My house has been struck by lightning... a few times.. And the things that were on surge protectors survived, even the cheap surge protectors. But you can always get a battery back up thats also a surge protector, some of them claim to insure up to 10k worth or equipment hooked up to them.. I've lost things to lightning through the network also.

 

you should consider yourself very lucky!