Choose how you will keep a separate, recoverable copy before choosing a drive. A directly attached drive can suit routine backups, but a copy kept beside the computer may be lost in the same incident; keep another copy elsewhere for that risk. Consider network-attached storage (NAS) when several devices need a shared destination and you can manage its setup and a separate backup of the NAS itself.
If photos and personal memories would be difficult to replace, prioritise a separate copy that can survive a loss affecting your computer. The NI Cyber Security Centre also advises keeping a copy offline in a different location.
Windows and Mac users may want regular copies of personal files and a way to recover earlier versions. Check what the chosen operating-system backup feature actually saves and which destinations it accepts; Microsoft Support describes external-drive and network-location options for File History, while Apple Support documents Time Machine destinations.
A shared network destination can help organise backups from several devices. Check each device's backup-tool compatibility and plan another copy of the files held on the NAS; Apple Support specifies Time Machine over SMB for a compatible third-party NAS, while Synology documents separate backup destinations for supported configurations.
Decide where a recoverable copy will live, then check whether your computer can make and restore the backups you need.
Choose it when: You want a removable destination for local file backups that you can store away from the computer.
Bear in mind: A drive kept in the same location still needs a separate-copy plan.
Choose it when: A compact drive you can carry is central to your local-copy routine.
Bear in mind: Portability does not replace a second, separately held copy.
Choose it when: One computer will normally back up to a drive kept in a fixed home location.
Bear in mind: Keeping it alongside the computer leaves both exposed to a loss affecting that location.
Choose it when: Important photos or documents need a copy outside the home as well as a local restore option.
Bear in mind: Check account access and security rather than relying on the online account alone.
Choose it when: Several devices need a shared destination or supported scheduled, versioned backup tasks.
Bear in mind: NAS needs configuration and maintenance, plus another destination for its own backup.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Separate, recoverable copies | Where each copy will be kept, and whether one can be stored apart from the computer. | I want family photos to remain recoverable if an incident affects both my computer and a nearby drive. Around 36% of consumers put a separately held copy first. |
| Routine backup and restoration | Which folders the backup tool covers, its supported destination and how earlier versions are restored. | I need regular copies of personal files without remembering every backup myself. Around 29% of consumers primarily need routine backups they can restore. |
| Portable local storage | The exact capacity, connector and whether the drive works with the intended computer and backup tool. | I plan to connect a drive when needed and put it away afterwards, so carrying and connecting it matter. Around 21% of consumers prioritise a removable local copy. |
| Shared, versioned storage | Device compatibility, supported backup tasks and where a second copy of NAS data will go. | Files are spread across several household devices, and I need a shared place to manage backups. Around 14% of consumers put multi-device backup first. |
Fire, theft or damage at home can affect a computer and a drive stored beside it. Synchronisation also needs scrutiny: a useful backup must leave you with a separate copy you can restore.
Plan another copy in a different location. The NI Cyber Security Centre advises three copies on two devices, with one kept offline elsewhere.
Retained backup versions need space beyond a one-off copy. Apple Support notes that Time Machine can remove older backups as its disk fills.
Check what you intend to back up and allow for retained versions and growing files. For Time Machine, Apple says a backup disk should ideally have at least twice the Mac's storage capacity.
Apple Support says a third-party NAS used with Time Machine must support Time Machine over SMB. NAS features and destinations can also depend on the particular device and configuration.
Check the exact NAS model, software and intended destination before buying, then decide how its stored files will be copied elsewhere.
Seagate's UK limited warranty excludes data loss and related recovery work. Hardware cover is not a substitute for another recoverable copy.
Keep separate backups and retain your purchase records; check the warranty terms for the exact drive before making a hardware claim.
A consumer external-drive brand to consider for a local backup destination.
A portable SSD brand relevant to compact, USB-connected local copies.
A portable SSD brand to consider when a carryable local destination suits the backup routine.
A NAS ecosystem for households considering network destinations and managed backup tasks.
These portable hard drives and SSDs are options for keeping a removable local copy of household files. Check capacity and connection against your backup routine, and arrange a separately held copy for losses that could affect the home.
No image available
A removable local destination for copies of household files. Check that its connection and your chosen backup software suit the computer; keep another copy separately.
No image available
A higher-capacity portable local-copy option for files you intend to back up. Confirm the connection, backup-tool compatibility and exact-model warranty terms before buying; it is not an off-site copy.
No image available
A compact, removable destination for a local file copy. Its title specifies USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2; confirm the host connection and backup-tool compatibility. Keep another copy elsewhere.
No image available
A portable local-copy option when you need the stated 4TB capacity. Its title specifies USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2; check the computer's port and intended backup software, and keep a copy apart from this drive.
No image available
A removable 2TB local destination for household files. Confirm its connector and compatibility with your computer and backup routine, and plan another separately held copy.
Not if it is your only additional copy and you need protection from a loss affecting both the drive and computer. The NI Cyber Security Centre advises three copies on two devices, with one kept offline in a different location; decide where you will keep and restore each copy.
Yes, Microsoft Support says File History can make regular backups to an external drive or network location and restore earlier versions of included files. Check which folders it covers and ensure the destination is available when backups are due.
Apple Support says the backup disk should ideally have at least twice the Mac's storage capacity. A smaller disk can be used, but Time Machine may remove older backups as space runs low, so consider how long you want to retain versions.
Yes, if the third-party NAS supports Time Machine over SMB, as specified by Apple Support. Check the exact NAS documentation and Mac requirements, and back up NAS-held files to another destination.
Do not rely on it for that purpose: Seagate's UK limited warranty excludes data loss and related recovery work. Check the selected model's terms and keep separate copies before a drive needs repair or replacement.