People who carry active files
If your laptop and project files travel between home and other locations, the drive’s size, connection and ability to withstand everyday handling may affect whether you use it regularly.
Who is this for?
People who want routine recovery
If you are unlikely to copy files manually every day, look for a backup routine you can maintain and a way to restore files after loss, replacement or accidental changes. The National Cyber Security Centre advises making regular backups and knowing how to restore them.
People handling sensitive work files
If files contain personal or confidential information, check your employer’s approved storage locations before choosing a personal drive or service. The Information Commissioner’s Office identifies encryption as a way to protect stored personal information against unauthorised access.
What matters when choosing?
Start with the recovery job: replacing a laptop, reversing a file change or keeping a usable copy away from the device. Then decide how much manual handling and setup you can sustain.
Portable SSD
Consider it when: You want a compact local copy to carry with active files.
Allow for: The drive can be lost with the laptop or affected by an incident while connected.
Portable hard drive
Consider it when: You want a local destination for a larger collection of work files or older copies.
Allow for: It still needs a separate-storage routine and another recoverable copy.
Network-attached storage
Consider it when: Several devices need a central destination and you are willing to manage scheduled backups.
Allow for: The NAS needs its own backup destination, access controls and recovery plan.
Encrypted USB storage
Consider it when: You need to carry or keep offline a deliberately limited set of files.
Allow for: Encryption protects access, not the availability of another copy if the device is lost.
Cloud-connected backup
Consider it when: Automatic off-device copies and access from a replacement device are priorities.
Allow for: Folder coverage, restoration limits, account access and internet dependence vary by service.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery after an incident | Check which folders are copied and practise restoring a file. For a cloud service, check its version and account-restoration limits. | If my laptop disappears or a file is changed by mistake, I need a current copy I can retrieve without relying on a task I forgot to do. About 42% of consumers put routine, off-device recovery first. |
| Sensitive-file control | Confirm approved storage locations and access requirements with your employer; check encryption and account or device access. | When work files contain personal or confidential information, I need to know where copies may be stored and who can open them. For about 33% of consumers, protecting access is the primary concern. |
| Portable local copying | Match capacity to the files you will keep, and check the laptop port and cable before relying on a drive’s quoted speed. | If I move sizeable active files between locations, I want a local copy I can connect when needed and store separately afterwards. Portability and local copying come first for about 25% of consumers. |
Backup mistakes to avoid
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Leaving the only backup drive connected
A drive permanently attached to the laptop may also be exposed when ransomware affects its files. The National Cyber Security Centre advises against leaving backup media permanently connected.
Complete and check each backup, then disconnect the drive and store it separately when practical.
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Expecting cloud synchronisation to preserve every version
Coverage and restoration limits differ. Microsoft says OneDrive PC Folder Backup covers Desktop, Documents and Pictures, while whole-OneDrive restoration for Microsoft 365 subscribers addresses actions within the previous 30 days.
Check covered folders, deletion behaviour and restoration windows before relying on a service as your only recovery route.
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Choosing an SSD by its maximum speed alone
Samsung’s stated maximum speeds for the T7 Shield depend on a compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 host, cable and UASP support.
Check your laptop connection and the files you actually transfer; also decide how the drive will fit into a recoverable backup routine.
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Treating encryption as permission to use any storage
Encryption helps protect access to stored files, but it does not establish that a personal device or cloud account is an approved destination for employer-controlled information.
Confirm your employer’s storage rules first, then set up the required encryption and access controls.
Brands and services to consider
Samsung
The T7 Shield is a portable SSD example for someone carrying a local copy with their laptop.
- Samsung rates the T7 Shield at up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write, subject to a compatible host and cable.
- Its physical-resilience claims have test conditions; Samsung says liquid, dust and drop damage are not covered by its warranty.
Western Digital
The My Passport Ultra range offers a portable hard-drive route for keeping local file copies.
- Western Digital describes USB-C connectivity for the cited range and offers backup and password-protection features.
- A portable drive remains a physical local copy; store it separately after backups rather than treating it as the only destination.
Synology
A Synology NAS can serve as a central local destination when several devices need managed backups.
- Synology says Hyper Backup can send NAS data to external devices, another NAS and supported cloud destinations.
- This approach requires NAS setup and a plan for backing up the NAS itself; the National Cyber Security Centre cautions that neither local nor cloud backups resist ransomware by default.
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive provides a cloud-connected route for covered Windows laptop folders.
- Microsoft says PC Folder Backup synchronises files in Desktop, Documents and Pictures.
- Microsoft’s whole-OneDrive restore feature for Microsoft 365 subscribers covers actions within the previous 30 days, not indefinite history.
Backblaze
Backblaze offers a dedicated cloud-backup route for computer files rather than a physical drive.
- Backblaze says its computer backup covers user-generated data on computers and connected external drives, with Mac and Windows clients.
- Check the applicable subscription terms, file coverage and restore procedure before making it your recovery destination.
Portable drives on Joybuy
These portable hard drives and SSDs offer ways to make local copies of home-work files. Choose one alongside a routine for checking restores and keeping a recoverable copy separate from the laptop.
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Western Digital My Passport 2TB Black
Consider this portable hard drive for a local copy of work files you can put away after backing up. It has 2TB of storage; check that its connection and any backup software suit your laptop, and practise restoring a file before relying on it.
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Western Digital My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB Silver
Consider this 5TB portable hard drive for a Mac-centred local file archive. If you also need it on Windows, check the required driver and compatibility with your particular system; keep a separate recovery destination rather than relying on the drive alone.
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Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB Blue
Consider this 1TB portable SSD if you want a local copy of active files that travels with your laptop. Its title specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2; check your port and cable, and confirm how you will run and restore backups if you need unattended recovery.
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Samsung T7 Shield MU-PE1T0S 1TB Black
Consider this 1TB portable SSD if your local copy needs to travel with the laptop. Samsung claims IP65 dust and water resistance for the T7 Shield and rates speeds up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write under compatible host and cable conditions. Check the access protection you require for sensitive files, and do not leave this local copy permanently connected.
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Lexar ES4 Magnetic Set 1TB
Consider this 1TB portable SSD for copying active files between compatible devices. Its title specifies USB 3.2 Gen 2 and up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write; check the connection, required formatting and software support for your devices before using it for protected work files.
Common questions
Should I leave an external backup drive connected?
Disconnect it after a completed backup when practical. The National Cyber Security Centre advises that backup media should not remain permanently connected to the computer, reducing the chance that an incident reaches both the laptop and its local copy.
Can OneDrive be my only backup?
Use it as your only route only after confirming that it covers every file you need and that its recovery limits suit you. Microsoft says PC Folder Backup covers Desktop, Documents and Pictures; whole-OneDrive restoration for Microsoft 365 subscribers addresses actions within the last 30 days.
Must every work-file backup be encrypted under UK rules?
There is no blanket UK GDPR requirement to encrypt every item of personal information. The Information Commissioner’s Office says security measures should reflect the risk and identifies encryption as protection for stored personal information, including on removable media. Check your employer’s approved storage and security requirements before copying work files to a personal device or account.
How can I check that a new backup will restore?
Back up a small, non-sensitive test folder, then try restoring it to another location without overwriting the original. The National Cyber Security Centre advises checking that you know how to restore important files, not just that a backup task has run.