Question re First Backup to the Cloud

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I’m about to sign up for an online backup plan for the first time — probably Backblaze or Carbonite. Before I do so, I have a pretty basic question.

I have a few hundred GB of stuff to back up from my desktop computer. From what I’ve read, the first backup could last two or even three days. To what extent should I expect that to affect my computer’s performance? Can I use the computer as I normally do, with the backup just running in the background? Or is it best to leave the desktop alone and use my laptop during whatever time the process lasts? Or something in-between?

Thanks.

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Why cloud backup ? Just attach a 5TB-16TB external HDD (or 2 for double copy) which will last you for ages or add a NAS.
Upload duration is a factor of your upload speed.
You can use your PC provided you don’t intend to make changes to data uploaded.
If your upload takes the whole upload bandwidth your PC will slow to a crawl when using the Internet..

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BobStr

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I already back up to an external drive. But I live in California, where the fire hazard gets worse each year, with all indications that it’s only going to get worse. If I lose my house some day, it would be nice to at least not have to worry about important stuff that I keep on the computer.

But thanks for the suggestion.

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You can typically set limits for saturation.  Most of the cloud backups take this into effect.  I’m with Bob.  Cloud is never my first backup.. but it’s ONE of my backups.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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I switched from Carbonite to Backblaze years ago and happy I did. Carbonite has gotten more expensive over the years and doesn’t back up everything without extra configuration… I think relating to the plan you choose. Still have 1 client using Carbonite.

That said, Backblaze has just raised their prices $2/month, and isn’t perfect but I still think worth it. As to your question, the upload speed and processes can be edited and even paused with Backblaze. I’m using it with multiple internet providers offering 1-50MB upload speeds and the default settings haven’t bothered my clients in their day to day usage of the machines, even during the initial uploads. Most are using from 100-200GB of storage.

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BobStr

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That’s helpful to know.

Thanks very much.

 

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Why cloud backup ? Just attach a 5TB-16TB external HDD (or 2 for double copy) which will last you for ages or add a NAS.

Because if you don’t have a way to get your backups off-site and into a different geographical area, wht happens with a fire or a hurricane that wipes out your whole area. Been there, done that, which is why I added to my local backup routines. I can grab a laptop in a hotel and get into business remotely with said backup just downloading the files I need to work.

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Kobac

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I’ve been using Carbonite for years and I don’t remember having any significant slow-downs with my initial backup.

I’ve been using Carbonite for years, but I may be switching to something else shortly. I’m looking mainly at Backblaze since they have an option where they will ship you an external hard drive to use for a restore instead of having to do one online. You have to put a deposit up for it, but when you return it to them when you’re finished with it, they refund you the money. They also back up files of any size, unlike Carbonite. iDrive is another one I’m looking at.

Carbonite is not our only backup. I also back up to two external hard drives, which I do NOT keep connected to our PC. Having an online backup and keeping the external hard drives separate from the PC are both additional insurance in case of a major fire (which we had 17 years ago), a flood or theft.

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I’ve been using Nova Backup for maybe a decade now with no issues at all.  It also has a good disc imaging utility that runs automatically once a month for my OS.  It is easily configured to Amazon Web Service where I have storage accounts for both my work station and my wife’s.  I pay maybe $3/month for storage.  Files are easily accessible through both the Nova Backup software as well as the S3 browser utility software.

Initial backup of data files can take a while but I don’t recall there ever being a significant issue with work station performance.  Since I leave the PC on 24/7, I routinely defer cloud backup to non-work hours (9 PM or later).

Both of us are retired so we do not have an off site office where we might store external back up drives.

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We don’t have an off-site location to keep backups either—both retired, same as you. I keep the drives in a go-bag. If we both aren’t home and something catastrophic happens, well, that’s when we have to rely on the online backup service. Nothing is 100%; you just have to try to cover as much as you can.

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