I just chatted with an APC rep about upgrading the UPSes at our office. She recommended a single higher-capacity 6-outlet Smart-UPS to replace the four Back-UPS units we currently have. When I asked how she recommended plugging in all the current devices, she recommended using a APC's AP9567 PDU, but said not to use a power strip. At first she said I had to use an APC brand PDU, but after I inquired about using a Tripp-Lite PDU, she said any brand PDU would be fine.

The APC PDU previously referenced looks like a standard 120V power strip with overload protection but no surge protection. Other than overload protection (which seems redundant if plugging into the UPS), is there something else I'm missing, or should any power strip (without surge protection) be fine?

Edit: I didn't mention it earlier, but we don't have a proper rack--though I did still plan to mount the PDU or power strip to something. I guess I'm wondering if there's any special reason I should pay as much as $180 for the low-end APC PDU (which just looks like a power strip to me) vs. $20-$30 for a workbench power strip.