I never tried the less expensive generator on my sensitive electronics. I have no doubt my computer or HD TV would power up and charge off the less expensive generator, but have no desire to risk it damaging something valuable when I have been warned about the possibility repeatedly. I've spoken with too many folks and read too many articles on the subject to chance it. In the "older" suburbs of Minneapolis we lose power at least 2 or 3 times a year in the winter and spring, often for extended periods of 2-7 days. The power lines are above ground, we have really big old trees and we get a bit of snow and ice from time to time. It happens so much it's not even newsworthy up here. I have neighbors and coworkers who have torched TV's and destroyed various other electronics with Home Deport Shanghai-special generators. Anyhow, a good source for generator horror stories are some of the many sailing hobbyist forums, RV forums or any of the shtf-type forums.
For what it's worth... I bought the inverter generator before the "whole house" generator though because it would be easy to bug out with, it's very fuel efficient, my 115lb wife can pull-start it, and it is quiet. Even forgetting the inverter aspect of it, those 4 things alone sold me right off the bat. The bonus was that it would safely run all of my sensitive communications electronics which IMHO is more important than heat or AC in a crisis. It can also easily power a few lights and one big item like the furnace or AC or refrigerator (in addition to a computer, router, modem and phone) if I alternate what it's running at a given time. Best of all, it's so darn quiet the whole neighborhood doesn't get to know I even have it by hearing it run - less temptation for someone else to redistribute my assets based on their priorities.
With a genny, the saying "Buy once, cry once." holds true.
