The two main data backup approaches are making local duplicate copies by burning CDs/synchronizing data to an external disk drive and using online services to upload files to commercial backup servers. In this article I’ll compare the two approaches to see where the benefits of each actually are.

The easiest way to do a laptop backup of sensitive information is to simply burn a CD. Larger file quantities can be duplicated by using synchronization software along with an external hard disk. Both of these local data backup solutions allow you the flexibility to choose what files are backed up, and how often. The onus is on the PC owner to protect the backup copies safely and the running costs in such a backup process are actually quite cheap thanks to the lowering cost of CD media and external HDDs.

The problem however with any type of local laptop backup solution has always been the level of human interaction. The onus is on the user to run the synchronization software or burn a CD. If this is not done regularly then you run the risk of losing data that has been created since previous backup versions.

This is where online data backup solutions would seem to prove to be most useful. If you have a fast enough Internet connection then it should be possible to do a partial laptop backup by uploading files onto one of these commercial backup servers. They normally provide their own utilities that you need to install in order to configure which folders to upload. Many of these programs can be automated to run in the background (on a scheduled basis) so you need not remind yourself to backup anymore.

An online data backup is not however as perfect as you’d hope. You still need a fast Internet connection in order to upload files (especially on the first backup), the subscription costs can be quite high in comparison to local backups and there will be data limits to the quantity of files you can upload.