Data Storage

I have to backup my work data before I retire so what would you use as a backup device ?

1) A normal type hard disk?
2) A Hybrid Portable Silicon Disk 100 GB type disk (SSD)?

The data is less than 100GB and using an Internat based backup is not an option.

Does anybody know how reliable the hybrid disks are?

Regards

I use two normal HDDs, but without context to the question it's difficult to answer. Is the backup for you, or for 'work'?

If 'work', let them worry

Its "work" but I will become a consultant so I need this data.

Buy a couple of USB portable hard disks (the same) and copy it on to both of them. £40 each or less.

Store it also on your "consultants" laptop.

In that case I'd go for two portable HDD's plus a PC or laptop. Use the PC or laptop as the 'master', then copy data to both of the portable HDD's on a regular (daily!) basis, leaving one at home and either (a) have the other with you, or (b) leave it with a relative or friend.

ANY device can malfunction, so a minimum of two backup copies has always been my rule, one of which is always 'off site'.

A couple of Western Digital Passport drives, or similar, should be just about ideal. The 2.5" HDD is powered by the USB socket too, so no need to carry a PSU and cable around.

USB's very slow. If the computer at work has an eSata connection I'd go for an ESata/USB box with an internal Sata drive. That way you have an additional option of sticking the HDD inside a computer connected to a Sata lead. To read from a laptop use USB or buy an sSata PCMCIA card.

This looks a good Pro box. Temperature is very important with HDD's and that one comes with monitoring software that you can't buy retail. Just look at the speeds on the graphs with a fast Samsung F3 1TB disk drive.

Sometimes convenience wins over speed.

100GB over USB will probably take about 2hrs with no hicups on eSAta about 20 mins.

My C drive (No Data stored on it)takes about 6 mins to backup and verify on eSata and about 40 mins on USB. I do it about twice a week and it's the convenience of having it done and dusted in about 6 mins that counts

Thanks for the comments and ideas. Not to worried about speed, longer time = more consultancy fee.

Will have a look at whats on offer at all the usual places.

Regards

Good deal in Lidl from tomorrow on hard drives.