Auto backup can be a reality
The most annoying thing about safe computing is trying to backup your data and files regularly and simply. It’s usually a task that requires a programmer’s logic, a guru’s insight, and the patience of Job (not Steve Jobs, the biblical guy). I have found a solution that totally turns me on – I took a look at Clickfree Products elegantly simple external hard drive automatic backup system.
About Clickfree Backup
It can take hours to hunt through your hard drive and tell windows Backup, or most other backups, what files to copy and what to ignore. Clickfree’s hard drives, USB Flash drives, DVDs and cables have a built-in bonus. When you plug them into your computer, they auto-launch a backup utility intuitive enough to go look for several hundred common file types or extensions.
You, the overtaxed user, doesn’t have to load software, configure anything, install, follow a wizard, puzzle out a schedule or otherwise frustrate yourself.
The Up Side of Clickfree Backup
- The designs are sleek, durable, and attractive. I used the C2N Automatic Family Backup in white (also available in purple, red, blue). It has a nice modern profile and sits in a USB dock with a very small footprint.
- It’s as easy as playing a music CD. Plug C2N in to a power source or use the included USB power cord. Connect to your computer with included cable. Storage from a few gig to 500 gig.
- No user input required. When they say automatic, that’s exactly what they mean.
- Fast. Total backup accomplished in under ten minutes. You can backup, transfer, restore data or store images, music, other files.
- Controllable. You can set preferences to your taste.
- Simple restore.
- Reasonable price points. Thumb drives from $9.99 and external drives from about $100 to $169, including dock.
Down Side of Clickfree
- Enclosed documentation and instructions are in a font so small as to be next to invisible.
- The units will not work automatically if connected through a USB hub, even if it’s a powered hub. That information is not clearly indicated in the documentation. It took me about half an hour to figure it out, and I was frustrated.
- Unit must be removed from the dock in order to be powered down, unless you disconnect the whole set up. A bit clunky.
Clikfree Bottom Line
This is a product we liked a lot. There are many gadgets claiming to be easy, simple, and effective, but this one is for real. To date, my storage brand of choice has been Sandisk, a great company, but I have to make room for Clickfree. The auto backup thing is a real time and energy saver, appealing to my low frustration levels.
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