On Friday my laptop died and I didn't have a back up plan. I learned that backing up data from my computer is really simple. If you don't currently back up your computer then hopefully this may motivate you to get off your backside and get backed up.
I procrastinated because it sounded complicated and expensive. I learned that it is more complicated and expensive if you procrastinate.
There are two basic ways: 1. using an online data storage site like Carbonite or 2. buying an External Hard Drive.
I decided to get an External Hard Drive because my failing laptop wouldn't connect to the Internet. The Best Buy store was empty at 2 pm on Friday. So I quizzed the 3 spiky haired 20 yr old sales people about which external hard drive was the best.
As they explained pros and cons, I created my criteria: Simplicity, Speed, Cost, Encryption, Storage Space.
I chose a 2TB Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk External Hard Drive for $119.00 on sale.
Simplicity- all software is installed just plug it in to the USB.
USB 2.0 Speed- it matters. Remember how fast the first AOL Dial Up was and the difference wihen you first used a really fast T-1 or DSL connection? Files keep getting bigger so how fast will it copy files? It is USB 2.0 but is upgradable to USB 3.0 for $29. USB 3.0 will be hitting the shelves soon. Who cares about speed? If you are just copying 1 file then speed doesn't matter. If you are copying 200,000 files then speed matters. Remember the original USB 1.1? It moved data at 12 MBits per second. When USB 2 came out I thought it would be twice as fast but it was 40 times faster than 1.1 at 480 MBits per second. 3.0 is 10 times faster than 2.0 and moves data at 4.8Gbits per second (4,800 MBits per second).
Secure Data Encryption. I want the data on this external hard drive secure in case someone steals it from my home. It has internal software built in with data encryption. Micorsoft 7 also has encryption.
2 TB Storage Space. I don't want to worry about running out of storage space. They had: 500 Gig for $79; 1TB (1,000 Gig) for $99 and 2 TB (2,000 Gig) for $119.
Cost. It was on sale for $119. Price always drops over time. Remember when 256M flash drives were $30 and now a 4Gig flash drive is now $11.
Is there a better external hard drive out there? Probably but I don't want to spend days researching. The one place I do research technology at is called cnet.com. Here is their review.
If you need a good External Hard Drive go to Best Buy during an off time and ask the geeky kids some questions.
Since I bought this hard drive I didn't even explore Carbonite but people on this forum use and recommend it.
I hope you found this post helpful.
Regards, Mark Hitz
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