Protect your data from disaster with the latest edition of this ultra-versatile backup tool
True Image 2013 by Acronis is an extremely versatile backup program which comes packed with features and functionality.
The program supports many different backup types, for instance: it can save your email messages and settings (Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail), selected files and folders, individual partitions or entire hard drives.
Your chosen data can be archived on demand, on a schedule, or continuously, with the program saving files almost as soon as they've been modified.
And your data can be backed up to DVDs, USB keys, local and external hard drives, saved across the network, and more.
True Image 2013 is more than a straightforward backup tool. The Try&Decide function will enable you to test software, without the installation affecting your PC. File synchronisation will keep the same files up-to-date on each computer, whilst the nonstop module will backup and synchronise data, in the background, without slowing your computer.
The major change this time sees Acronis Online Backup replaced with True Image Online, a cloud storage service. This gives you 250GB of online backup space for $4.99 a month/ $49.99 a year, but a single subscription can be used by up to 5 PCs (and you get a free 1 month subscription to try it out).
This is optional, of course, but if you do purchase a subscription then you'll be able to access your files anywhere courtesy of the new Acronis iOS and Android apps. This makes it easier to synchronise your data wherever it might be - PC, laptop, phone, tablet, network, USB key and more - and True Image 2013 is now fully compatible with every version of Windows from XP through to 8.
Review by Mike Williams.