Why I Use Carbonite For Backup Instead of Google Drive or Dropbox – (& You Should, Too)

This post may contain affiliate links.

Has your computer ever crashed? Have you ever lost (or almost lost) everything? It happened to me 7 years ago and I almost lost a lot  of work, including my lesson plans and student assignments.

Well, today, I am so excited to tell you about my favourite back-up software, and why I seriously think it’s the most fair priced one on the market.

 

What Is Carbonite?

Do you know that 30% of people have never backed up? Carbonite is a super easy to use backup software that you install on your computer to back up everything you choose, any time you are connected to the internet.

Oh and by the way, for a limited time, I can get you 50% off 1 year of Carbonite Basic if you click this link. If you’re a business, you can grab 30% off the business plans here.

(Full disclaimer, if you decide to purchase from one of my links, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you, but I promise you I’d promote it either way). I successfully convinced my family to buy it years ago, before I even knew I could become an affiliate.

 

5 Reasons Why I’ve Been Using Carbonite Backup for 7 Years

 

 

 1. It’s Easy – Set & Forget  

So, all you have to do to download the software, choose the files you want to back up and then you’re good to go!

2. It’s Unlimited 

Yes, unlimited!!  Now, you have to pay per computer, sure.  (there are special pricing plans if you have more than one computer to backup, and a business plan if you have a company). However, it’s SUPER easy to access your files on mobile, too.  The Plus Plan includes an external hard drive you can back-up, too.

3. It’s Safe

Well, Carbonite is simply totally safe and secure!  Your content is on Carbonite’s secure servers and safely backed up.

4. Access Your Files From Anywhere

So, did your hardware just bust? Really need a file on your laptop (that you happened to leave at home today)? No problem! Sign in to Carbonite online, grab the latest (backed-up version) of the file, and download it to whatever device you’re on. I’ve used this feature SO many times!

5. Amazing Customer Service

By the way, can you call Google? Nope!  Has Dropbox guided you through the process of installing and setting up their product? I doubt it.  Carbonite has friendly, customer service agents ready to help you.

 

Why Can’t I Just Use Google Drive/Dropbox/An External Hard Drive?

 

Well, for starters, the free versions of these software come with a lot of limitations.  How much space do you really get with Google for free?  15 GB.  That’s not much.

So, let’s say you choose Dropbox, which only gives you 2GB free. You set up all your folders to sync with your folders – and then your Dropbox runs out of space. SO annoying, right?

Actually, I’ll just use my external hard drive, you say.  What if there’s a fire?  What if you get robbed? Do you really want all of your files to be in the same place as your computer?!

Now, I made a handy comparison chart so you can check out the differences below.

Update: April 19th, 2017.    Please note that, in order to keep this review as fair as possible, I’d like to share information that a reader alerted me to. Recently, the Sync and Share app from Carbonite was disabled, which is one advantage that Google Drive and Dropbox now have over Carbonite.  Furthermore, this featured is available on the free versions of both apps, but of course, the free versions do come with limited space.

Also, please note that Carbonite is not a collaborative sharing app for multiple owners to work on (and sync changes on) a document.

 

Oh and by the way, for a limited time (until April 30, 2017), I can get you 50% off 1 year of Carbonite Basic if you click this link. If you’re a business, you can grab 30% off the business plans here.

 

Carbonite: Step By Step Video Tutorial

Check out this 5 minute video to see why I love Carbonite and how it works!

Don’t like video? The step-by-step instructions and screenshots are below, if you prefer! You can even grab a .pdf version  at the end of this post.

 

 

Step 1: Install Carbonite

First, download and install the software from Carbonite’s website.

 

 

Step 2: Choose Drives & Files to Backup

Second, choose which drives and files you would like to back up. Have a C:// Drive and a D:// Drive? No problem! You can back them both up. Carbonite creates a mirror copy of your actual computer.

Step 3: Let Carbonite Do Its Magic – Check for Green Dots!

Finally, depending on how many items you’ve asked Carbonite to backup, you may have to wait a week or so before everything is completely backed up. It’s easy to tell because you’ll be able to see little green dots next to backed-up folders, and orange ones next to ones that are in-progress. (You can turn this feature off if you don’t like it)

 

 

 

 

Step 4: How To Get Your Files Back

Next, check out where you’ll need to go if you do have a computer crash incident, or buy a new computer.  It’s just this one button “Get my files back”. Easy, right?

 

Step 5: Access Your Files From Anywhere

So, what if I need a file from my computer…but my computer is at home? No problem! Remote access your files anywhere with an internet connection. Choose your computer, and then navigate to the folder online as you usually would on your actual computer. Click the file you want to download, and in a couple seconds you’ll be set!

 

Step 6: If You Accidently Delete A File…

If you accidently delete a file from your computer, you don’t have to worry. It’ll be on Carbonite for 30 days. Be sure you grab it before then, though, because they do replace your content with what is actually on your computer, with a 30 day grace period.

Want a handy .pdf with this info?  Click here to grab yours! (You’ll also get access to my whole library of free teaching, organizational and motivational printables).

Why Carbonite Is The Best Backup for Teachers

 

Now, let me tell you a little story about the time I tripped over my own computer cable and destroyed my Lenovo computer. What?! Haste makes waste, right? Totally cliche, but true. I was in a rush, tripped, and BOOM – in an instant, my computer was gone. (Apparently if you trip on your computer cord just right, you can bend a tiny little pin inside, which wrecks your computer. Who knew?)

So, what happened to my files? Lesson plans I made a notes I took for my tutoring students?  Essays for my Postgraduate course at McGill University – all safely backed up! Not only that, but I borrowed a computer for a couple weeks, remotely accessed the files I needed in seconds, and downloaded them on the new computer. Phew. So much less stress. $5 a month is totally worth that!

Now, I have the ASUS Zenbook, by the way, which I absolutely love! Carbonite saved me that day, and I’ve been recommending it to my family and friends ever since.

 

Where Can I Buy Carbonite?

Well, that’s simple – just click here and I can get you 50% of Basic Plan (Hurry, though, because I’m not sure how long this promotion will be on for!) Even at regular price, Carbonite is a steal of a deal, but why not take advantage of this offer? If you’d like to try it out before you buy, click here to grab your Free Trial of Carbonite.

 

Have questions about my experience with Carbonite, or with organizing your teaching files in the best way? Feel free to shoot me an email and I’d be happy to help!  Oh, and if you haven’t read my post on 6 Simple Ways To Organize Your Teaching Resources, go ahead and do that.

Happy Teaching!

 

 

P.S. The photo for today’s post if simply one of my Asus Zenbook U Series laptop (which I LOVE, by the way – you can check that out here).