Carbonite Review

Carbonite is proving to be the leader in online backup service. I first heard about them while doing research for this website, but was intrigued by their unlimited space offered for backup of files, folders and system information from my PC.

I had been using USB jump drives to handle this manually, how ever I was never 10% what I had and hadn’t backed up and when a file was modified I wasn’t always remembering to replace the old file with the newer one. So I decided to give Carbonite a try.

Carbonite Features

Out of the box Carbonite comes configured to backup everything in your My Documents and settings folders. This is simple to change, during the download of the desktop application you can choose to manually select the files you want to backup on your own.

Carbonite offers unlimited space to store files on their secure servers so backup until your hearts content.

Their software is intelligent enough that it only begins to backup files when your PC is idle. This saves your computer from slowing down while you’re working on it. A nice feature I liked over other online backup services as well.

The recovery option is as simple as accessing the desktop icon that is setup after you install their software. You navigate through it as if it were a local drive on your computer. From there you can right click on the file(s) you want to restore and either restore them to the original location, or select a new location.

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Using Carbonite Backup

The first step is downloading their free trial software. It takes all of about 30 seconds to download their 2.8 MB software on a high speed cable connection. The installation takes a few minutes longer, but it’s very informative. Offering audio guides through the entire process.

Depending on how you setup the Carbonite software will determine what files are backed up. As mentioned if the standard install is done then your MY DOCUMENTS and SETTINGS are backed up. You can also override this and choose to manually select which files and folders are backed up.

Adding files to the backup is simple, you simply right click on the file on your computer and select Carbonite -> Back this up. It couldn’t be any easier. Other programs I’ve used you need to fumble around with tree directory menus clicking this and that, but Carbonite backup really has simplified this step.

If you’re backing up several gigs of information you should be prepared for it taking some time to do. But this is primarily only for the first backup. Since Carbonite will only add modified or new files withing folders you have chosen to backup each time.

Backing up and Restoring Files

My initial backup went off without a hitch. It did take sometime, but I didn’t notice any major slow down in my PC while it was going. I haven’t had to do a full restore of all the files, but I have accessed and tested some of them. Everything went as easily as Carbonite’s website suggests it should.

Carbonite Support

From all the consumer reviews I’ve read I’ve got to say that the Carbonite support team sounds like the best in the biz. They offer phone and online support, and those consumers that have called have actually got to speak with a real person. Fancy that, an actual support person in the age of computers.

Verdict on Carbonite Backup

As a backup tool Carbonite backup is at the top of my list. I am still using it to keep files and data safe. The only draw back is that to restore large amounts of data could take some time to download. I love the unlimited space option, also their desktop software is simple to use, and adding files to a backup is easy.

Compared to it’s competitors Carbonite is the sure winner. Download their free trial and you’ll see for yourself.

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