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Computer users today have a wide range of choices regarding back-up drives and back-up media. The first rule of computing is 'always back-up your data'. How that is accomplished is a matter of preference for the user and depends to a degree on the technical skills they possess. This article will take a look at some of the different types of back-up drives that are available.

Tape drives have come a long way from the reel to reel units depicted in old movies. Modern tape drives utilize a cartridge that is simply inserted into the drive. Tape media can be had in a wide range of formats with capacities of up to 800GB. The tape units themselves can either be mounted internally or externally. One must be aware of the type of interface in the computer to select an internal drive; the external units are usually USB 2.0. External tape drives can be very expensive and storage space for tape cartridges should be considered.

USB flash drives are a very convenient way of backing up one's data. They simply plug into an available USB port and appear as a hard drive. Then the files to be saved can be dragged and dropped onto it. One can set up additional folders and organize the files on the flash drive to one's own tastes. USB drives are small, very portable, and some are available with capacities of up to 64GB.

Another option for users is to add another hard drive to their computer. Hard drives are relatively inexpensive and are probably the best choice for most users. They come in both internal and external varieties, and massive 3TB units can be purchased for less than $200. For most users, 3TB is more storage than they will ever need. Internal hard drives are available in a wide range of interface styles and installation can be performed quickly. The external types just plug into a USB port, just like tape drives and flash drives.

So which type is best? It is up to the user to make that decision but there is one thing to keep in mind. For a back-up to be secure, it should be kept separate from the computer. If the computer gets damaged or stolen, that backed up data would likely be lost along with it. Give careful consideration to using a good external drive, and back up often.

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