If you want to keep backup files of your photos, videos, and other important files stored on multiple computers but have no idea how, then Clickfree’s new backup drive may be the perfect solution for you.
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Users will only find three items inside the box – a quick start guide, the Clickfree backup drive with integrated USB, and a Docking Cradle. The drive sports a piano black finish, making it a fingerprint magnet. The integrated USB is located behind the device, but its cord is a bit short – we recommend users to use the docking cradle whenever possible.
According to the manual, all a user needs to do is to plug the device in to start the back up. The unit is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, and Mac OS 10.5 or later, but for this test, we used a notebook running on Windows Vista. After reading and agreeing to the End User License Agreement, we were able to begin the backup process.
A Welcome Screen pops up and starts a countdown to search for new backup files and install the software, although a user can immediately start the process by clicking on the ‘Start’ icon. After scanning our test PC for the first time, the Clickfree C2N began backing up data. Our computer had a total of 23452 files to backup, with the drive segregating it into ten different sections (Photos, Music, E-mail Files, Text Documents, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Artwork and Drawings, Videos, Favourite Websites, and All Others).
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The initial backup took almost two hours to complete (for 89GB of data), with the software prompting us that the computer can now be backed up over the network. Our succeeding backup times were significantly shorter as the device only had to add the new files.
After the backup process, a user can then see the Backup summary (files can be viewed by clicking on the icons, Browse Files, Search Files, as well as Photos (which can be printed, shared, or e-mailed). Clicking on the Options button allows a user to Manage Settings, Import Music, Add/Remove Password, Edit Backup Schedule, Create Backup DVDs, or Restore Files.
The unit will also automatically install BackupLink, a software by Clickfree that enables Automatic Home Backup across the network. Users must connect the C2N to another computer, perform a backup, and install the BackupLink on it for the system to recognize other computers that need to be backed up. All a user needs to do is to connect the drive to one of the computers with BackupLink installed for this to work.
Overall, the Clickfree C2N is a good product for those who want to back up without having to think. Most of the important steps are automatically done, the interface is easy to use, and you can backup your other computers in a snap (so long as you have enough space). It is available now at major retailers including Bing Lee, Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi, and Harris Technology from $189.
