- Introduction
- Backup Types
- Backup Methods
- Backup Locations
- Free Backup Utilities Overview
- Windows Backup Utilities
- Hard Disk Management and Backup Software
- Bundled Backup Programs for External Hard Disks
- Commercial Image/File Backup Programs
- Designing a Good Backup Strategy
- Conclusion
Bundled Backup Programs for External Hard Disks
The Acronis-based backup programs provided by Seagate and Western Digital are part of disk management suites for internal hard disks. However, these and many other vendors provide a wide variety of backup programs bundled with some of their external drives.
Some external hard disk vendors offer two lines of drives:
- Basic drives that use the USB 2.0 interface and lack backup software
- More expensive drives that include backup software and might use faster interfaces such as USB 3.0 or eSATA.
You can also find backup programs bundled with DVD or Blu-ray burning programs such as Nero Multimedia Suite 10 Platinum HD or Roxio Easy Media Creator 2011 Pro.
Table 2 provides a brief overview of the bundled backup programs included with external hard disks from major vendors as of mid-March 2011.
Table 2Hard Disks with Bundled Backup Software and Features
Product (Vendor in Boldface) |
Bundled Software |
Disaster-Recovery Backup |
File Backup |
Notes |
Buffalo Technology DriveStation series, MiniStation Series |
Buffalo Backup Utility (link to PDF instruction manual) |
No |
Yes |
DriveStation Duo HD-WLU3R1 also includes NovaBACKUP Business Essentials Backup software |
Hitachi Life Studio (Mobile) Plus, Life Studio (Mobile), XL Desk, X Mobile, SimpleDrive Rev3 |
Hitachi Backup |
No |
Yes |
Other current models are bundled with Fabrik Ultimate Backup; some drives include online backup |
HP Pocket Media Drive, Personal Media Drive (portable); SimpleSave (portable and desktop) |
No |
Yes |
HP SureStore runs directly from the backup drive |
|
Imation Apollo Expert, M100, UX (portable); Pro UX (desktop) |
No |
Yes |
|
|
Imation Pro WX |
No |
Yes |
Wireless USB |
|
Iomega Professional eSATA/USB 2.0, Prestige USB 2.0, Prestige USB 3.0 (desktop); Iomega Prestige series, eGo series (portable) |
Yes |
Yes |
Download Protection Suite from Iomega website |
|
LaCie Minimus USB 3.0, Starck, Grand, Rugged XL, Quadra, Quadra MAX, Hard Disk, Hard Disk MAX, d2 (desktop); Rugged series, Starck Mobile USB 3.0, Rikiki series, Little Big Disk Quadra, Little Disk |
No |
Yes |
Paid upgrades available to Genie Backup Manager Home or Backup Manager Pro; some models also include 10GB Wuala online storage |
|
Samsung S-series (portable); G2 series (portable); Story (desktop) |
No |
Yes |
Also includes SafetyKey encryption and real-time backup |
|
Seagate FreeAgent Go external hard disk |
No |
Yes |
Can restore up to ten older versions of a file; also includes file sync software |
|
Seagate GoFlex, GoFlex Pro series external hard disk |
Memeo Instant Backup (GoFlex) or Instant Backup Premium (GoFlex Pro) |
No |
Yes |
Instant Backup Premium also supports restore of older file versions and multiple backup destinations |
Seagate GoFlex, GoFlex Pro with optional Auto Backup cable |
Yes |
Yes |
Includes USB 2.0 connection; supports up to six PCs |
|
Toshiba Canvio Portable, Canvio 3.0 |
Yes |
Yes |
Follow link to download updates from Toshiba’s website. |
|
Western Digital My Book Essential (USB 2.0, 3.0), My Book Elite; My Passport Essential, Essential SE, Elite |
No |
Yes |
After initial backup, automatically backs up files when they are saved. Follow link to download updates from WD’s website. |
|
Verbatim desktop hard disks, Acclaim, Wallet Drive, CLON, Titan XS series, Store ‘n’ Go USB 3.0 (portable) |
Yes |
Yes |
Paid upgrades available to full version of BackItUp and Burn |
Table 3 provides a brief overview of the bundled backup programs included with media suites from major vendors as of mid-March 2011.
Table 3Media Suites with Bundled Backup Software and Features
Product |
Bundled Software |
Disaster-Recovery Backup |
File Backup |
Notes |
Nero Nero 10 Multimedia Suite, Multimedia Suite Platinum |
Yes |
Yes |
Also available as a separate application |
|
Roxio Creator 2011 Pro |
BackOnTrack 4 |
Yes* |
Yes |
|
Roxio Creator 2011 |
BackOnTrack 4 (limited version) |
No |
Yes |
Upgrade to Creator 2011 Pro for full version of BackOnTrack 4 |