Poll on Backup software


Which imaging program do you use for backups?


  • Total voters
    348
when I last did a clean install
Only time I do is when a new OS comes out. My paranoia makes me clean install rather than upgrade. As for my backups, I've used them a number of times to recover from operator error.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
I'm starting to tire of all the numerous "What's the best backup software" threads, as the OP can easily look through all the existing threads.

But I'll say this instead.
Most people don't care about backing up until after they've lost stuff. And even after data loss, I don't think they're too concerned with backing up. They see it as an annoyance. I've preached "Backup" for years, and they never listen and act. I think for most people, it's probably best to set a backup schedule for them.

I've seen some people devastated by the loss of data, and in particular, family photos. And some just don't care at all. One guy I know had a hard drive failure and lost his family photos. I told him that his photos were gone, and he said, "It doesn't matter, I'll just take new ones." 🙃
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Stigg's Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10900X
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE X299X DESIGNARE 10G
    Memory
    Corsair 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) CMW64GX4M4C3000C15 Vengeance RGB Pro 3000Mhz DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super Mini ITX 6 GB OC
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" FHD LED FreeSync Gaming Monitor (LS27F350FHEXXY)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Pro Series 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
    Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
    Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
    PSU
    Corsair HX1200 1200W 80 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 Black Solid Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata V2
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder Essential
    Internet Speed
    FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    N/A
    Other Info
    Logitech BRIO 4k Ultra HD USB-C Webcam
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M GM501GS
    CPU
    Core i7-8750H
    Motherboard
    Zephyrus M GM501GS
    Memory
    SK Hynix 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) HMA82GS6CJR8N-VK 16 GB DDR4-2666 DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC294
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AU Optronics B156HAN07.1 [15.6" LCD]
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung MZVKW512HMJP-00000 512 GB, PCI-E 3.0 x4
    Samsung SSD 860 QVO 4TB 4 TB, SATA-III
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    N/A
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder Essential
    Keyboard
    PC/AT Enhanced PS2 Keyboard (101/102-Key)
    Internet Speed
    FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    N/A
    Other Info
    USB2.0 HD UVC Webcam
Most of the choices are publishers of multiple products that will create backups and it does not ask which product is being used, only who provides the program.

Nor does the poll clarify the difference between a backup image and a file copy backup.

As an example which Aomei product is being used? You could be using Backupper or OneKey - both products from the same company, and both creating backups but used in different ways.

Any results are therefore meaningless.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude 7530
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1265u
    Memory
    16Gb
To capture all the possibilities of file, system, image, cloning etc would be an extremely long list in any poll
Open polls are subject to a myriad of opinion and opinions as we know are like a...holes, everyone has one
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 Canary
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M15 Ryzen Edition R6
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    1 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
Most of the choices are publishers of multiple products that will create backups and it does not ask which product is being used, only who provides the program.

Nor does the poll clarify the difference between a backup image and a file copy backup.

As an example which Aomei product is being used? You could be using Backupper or OneKey - both products from the same company, and both creating backups but used in different ways.

Any results are therefore meaningless.
It does say which imaging program :-)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
It's looking like an average of 80% using Macrium and 20% using various other programs so far.
Popular products are not necessarily the best. Those 80% should still keep their options open and look for better alternatives.

My stepson won't let me use anything other than the Windows one as he doesn't want me putting any programs on his PC!
I'm with him on this. I too prefer built-in utilities over 3rd party programs, even if that means the process is a little complicated. Learning to use built-in utilities is good education and time well spent, than using 3rd party programs which can be a potential risk to privacy and security.

Most people don't care about backing up until after they've lost stuff.

That's very true. I can be counted in that list, but I was fortunate because I recovered all my files.

And even after data loss, I don't think they're too concerned with backing up.
That's quite strange.

I've seen some people devastated by the loss of data, and in particular, family photos.
Exactly what happened in my case. But AOMEI Partition Assistant saved me and I would be eternally grateful. The program recovered almost 100% of my files, when most other popular programs in Tech Reviews could not even find the lost files, let alone recover them.

And some just don't care at all. One guy I know had a hard drive failure and lost his family photos. I told him that his photos were gone, and he said, "It doesn't matter, I'll just take new ones."
Hahaha.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I really can't remember when I last did a clean install. Must be years.
Oh, I can.

Most of my machines were bought second hand. If they came with too much crud and/or OEM bloatware then they got a clean install. After that though, never - always an in-place upgrade.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
Ditto. Buying second hand can mean a clean install needed. Especially if changing the drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
Ditto. Buying second hand can mean a clean install needed. Especially if changing the drive.
I would always clean install with a 2nd hand machine, never know what is on there
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 Canary
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M15 Ryzen Edition R6
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    1 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
I use Macrium for backing up (Imaging) the Windows OS. I only have the OS with a few applications like Office 2021 on it - user data etc I keep on a separate NAS server. That way I can keep Windows really small fast and lean -- around 55GB - which leaves plenty over for downloads, windows updates etc.

For Disk cloning / copying I use the standard Linux dd command -- saves messing about creating partitions etc on target device.

For data backup I run the GUI version of RSYNC on my NAS (Program is GRSYNC) . I also then backup data from NAS to external device using the same GRSYNC program.

People who use Non Windows NAS servers should also backup data from these as well especially if you run them continuously. HDD's in a NAS server can (thankfully only very rarely IMO if you installed decent ones to start with) break so you should backup data too from a NAS.

Incidentally if you do use a NAS it's much better for the HDD's to keep it continuously running -- even these days the extra energy cost will be minimal - especially if you don't attach a monitor or if you do switch the monitor off.

I also send really critical data to microsoft's one drive cloud system via FILEZILLA (SFTP protocol with data encrypted automatically for transition.

Note though if you use this type of program to SEND data FROM Windows you need to install the openssh-server from the add optional features and ensure the ssh service is running.

There's a whole host of issues - OS backup / restore, Data backup, Data archiving (i.e data kept but rarely if ever used but you still want to keep it). There's also things like multi-media files (video, audio) which don't change but if lost might not be available again -- e.g "ripped CD's" etc.

There's no standard "Backup" solution. A mult-pronged approach is needed.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
I keep a partition exclusively for the OS and programs. This allows me to backup or clone my system quickly, but more importantly, my files (or data) are safe in a separate partition/ disk. This also has the advantage of allowing me to play with my system without worrying about my data.

I have always been using the built-in Windows System Image utility for a very long time. Now, I prefer cloning from Recovery using DISM.

For my files, I use Personal Backup. Few years back, when I searched for backup programs, I found this one and it has been performing great over the years. I would definitely recommend other users to give it a try.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I just do system images on the family computers. In addition to saving file back ups separately. It took me a while to get the hang of Macrium interface - which I did. It's very good versatile software, I know, but does more than I need it to when just making a system image. I wasn't keen on warning messages in red, which were alarming - but that's just interface. EaseUS was simpler (but the free version did keep nagging me). I am thinking of trying Aomei as the interface looks extremely clear. I still find some of the terminology between "back up" and "imaging" confusing on some programs. Just want something that says "image your drive"! For general home users, Macrium might be off putting - but is clearly an extremely good software and popular for a reason.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
I would always clean install with a 2nd hand machine, never know what is on there
I know what you mean. My primary source of used machines is Cash Converters, they do a pretty good job of sanitising a machine before putting it on sale. For Win10 that is invariably a factory reset. For older OS's that's WhiteCanyon Software's SystemSaver. But they never clean install or upgrade their machines, they always keep whatever OS it arrived with.

The weirdest OS I ever found on a bought machine was 32-bit Windows 7 Enterprise, a total waste of a perfectly good 8GB system. That one had a Win 8.1 key in its bios and swiftly got a clean install of x64 Win10.

A couple came with Microsoft Office pre-installed. For those I spent a lot of time cleaning up and sanitising them myself before upgrading to Win10.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
If I sell a machine I chuck a clean installation on it prior to letting it go. It's the only way to be sure.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 Canary
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M15 Ryzen Edition R6
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    1 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
If I sell a machine I chuck a clean installation on it prior to letting it go. It's the only way to be sure.
That's where we differ, all mine were bought for my own use. Should I ever sell one on it will of course get clean install first - that's only ever happened once so far :wink:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
That's where we differ, all mine were bought for my own use. Should I ever sell one on it will of course get clean install first - that's only ever happened once so far :wink:
I gave a laptop to my daughter and sold a Dell 5290 2 in 1 through the Bay, they are the only ones that I've had that have not ended their lives with me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 Canary
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M15 Ryzen Edition R6
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    1 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
I gave a laptop to my daughter and sold a Dell 5290 2 in 1 through the Bay, they are the only ones that I've had that have not ended their lives with me.
Is there actually a market for used computers (Home type computers -- I know offices etc when they upgrade donate older machines to Schools and 3rd world).

I've usually found parts are often cannabalizeable e.g HDD / SSD / NVME, RAM etc or they can make useful testbeds.
If I were to buy a used machine it would only because there's a part inside it that I need and can't source elsewhere.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
Is there actually a market for used computers (Home type computers
FleaBay or Facebook MP are full of used PC's and laptops 2nd hand
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 Canary
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M15 Ryzen Edition R6
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    1 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
Is there actually a market for used computers (Home type computers...).

I've usually found parts are often cannabalizeable e.g HDD / SSD / NVME, RAM etc or they can make useful testbeds.
Yes, there's a thriving market for good used machines. The last two used laptops I bought were virtually new, 6-10 month old and about 50 hours powered on time. They are now my System One and 'System Three' (in the 'other info' section) below. That last one came with its Dell ProSupport until January 2024.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
Only Macrium Reflect since June 2012. 'Nuff said. :)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    NA
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 10980XE
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix X299-E Gaming II
    Memory
    GSkill 3200 MHz DDR4 64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Nvidia Titan 6 GB RAM
    Sound Card
    Asus Xonar Essence STX, FIIO K5 Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ PD3200U Studio
    Screen Resolution
    UHD 3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro NVMe SSD 512 GB x 1
    Samsung 850 Pro SSD 240 GB x 1
    WD Black 2 TB x 3
    Asus BW12B1ST BR-R
    Asus DRW-24DMT DVD-R
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200i
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 900D
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i v2
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3s
    Internet Speed
    300/300 FTTH + 300/300 FTTH
    Browser
    Chrome + MS Edge Chromium + Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky TS 2021, MWB Premium 4.4
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 x64 21H1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    NA
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3930K
    Motherboard
    Asus Sabertooth X79
    Memory
    GSkill 32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Asus/NVIDIA GTX 570 DC
    Sound Card
    Onboard sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung B2230
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Corsair F240 SSD x 1 WD Black 1 TB x 3
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200i
    Case
    Coolermaster Cosmos
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    300/300 FTTH + 300/300 FTTH
    Browser
    Chrome + MS Edge Chromium + Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky TS 2021, MWB Premium 4.4

Latest Support Threads

Back
Top Bottom