I have kind of a redneck system for running smaller stuff like that during power outages. I have a deep-cycle marine battery, small charger (2 amp) and a 300 watt inverter. I think my total cost was about $160 but that was a few years ago. That's been enough to run laptops, charge phones, and even occasionally run a 12-volt fan during outages lasting a day or two. The charger is underpowered for a battery that size and needs days to recharge it. In a pinch I could jumper-cable the marine battery to a running car to charge it quicker. (The battery has also been handy to go the other way and jump start a car.) The inverter is also too small for a few things I'd like to run but it was a bargain at the time. I'd get a decent generator but I'm cheap and our neighbors and nearby family both have good ones.