Choosing the right backup media is just as important as remembering to backup your data. While there are many times in your life where going cheaper won't have an effect on what you purchase, when it comes to computers, however, it makes a huge difference.
Buying cheap, bargain-basement media is never a good idea when it comes to storage media. In the world of computers, you get what you pay for, which means cheap media sill usually result in a loss of data. To avoid such a predicament, always go with brand-name, high-quality storage devices. Let's look at a few.
External Hard Drives
The most common form of data backup media is probably the external hard drives. You get the most storage space for you money, and it is easy to use - simply plug in the hard drive and you are good to go.
There are many hard drives manufacturers on the market. The two leading ones are Western Digital, and Seagate. Maxtor was another good manufacturer, but they were eventually bought out by Seagate.
I currently use Western Digital hard drives, both internal and external, and haven't had a problem with any of the drives. I have also downloaded and installed their diagnostic tool to help detect problems with the drives.
When it comes to hard drives, you can't go wrong with either Western Digital or Seagate hard drives.
Optical Discs (CD or DVD)
With regards to removable media, DVD is king, at least when it comes to usage. DVD discs are only pennies each, and you can buy them in packs of 100 or more. While they don't have the storage capacity of an external hard drive, they are convenient in that they are easy to backup your data onto. I don't know any computer sold today that can't burn a DVD disc.
The problem with DVD discs is the longevity. There is a debate online about how long a DVD will last. Some may only last a few weeks, while others can last for years. With regards to DVD's, quality is extremely important.
While there are hundreds of disc manufacturers, there are several that stand above the pack:
- Taiyo Yuden
- Verbatim
- Sony
- Mitsui Gold
There may be others, but those listed above are of the highest quality and should cause you little problems. Out of the above list, I use Taiyo Yuden. This brand is well-known for being the best, most reliable in optical discs. They are so good, that many of the basement-dwelling DVD makers try to pass their discs off as Taiyo Yuden.
Taiyo Yuden are not as easy to find than Verbatim or Sony, but you can probably find a site online that sells them. While they are more expensive than most optical discs, the price is well worth the quality. If you find a site that sells them, buy them for your backups. You won't be disappointed.
In closing, if you are serious about backing up your data, then ensure you only use high-quality media to store your data.
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