The best way to keep your backups current is to schedule
them automatically. And for maximum protection, you need easily removable
media. Iomega's
Rev 35GB/90GB USB 2.0
External Drive offers both features, plus an effective software bundle
and tiny hard-disk cartridges that hold about seven times as much data as most
recordable DVDs.
Iomega says that its Rev disks can store from 35GB (uncompressed) to 90GB (compressed) of data, but how much you can actually store will vary. If your backup is heavy with already-compressed files, such as photos, music, and video, you won't get much beyond 35GB. Backups of mostly business documents may amount to about 90GB.
The included software is Iomega's Automatic Backup Pro, which handles automated and manual backups, and Norton Ghost for Rev, which images your hard drive for disaster recovery.
I had no difficulties installing a shipping version of Iomega's $400 external USB 2.0 drive, although I would have preferred to see a full user guide instead of the quick-install flyer and reference to Web-based support. I manually backed up 20GB in only 60 minutes using maximum compression on my Athlon XP 2700+ system. Copying the same files from one fast internal hard drive to another using Windows Explorer took 40 minutes--so the Rev drive is no slouch.
This drive is too expensive for casual users who can back up with their CD or DVD burners. But it's a great choice for business and power users.
Rex Farrance
