SanDisk turns your SD card into notebook backup

Reuben Lee | Mar 06, 2008

It's ironic how people start thinking about data backup only when their PC crashes, together with all the important files on it. If you are one of those backup laggards, here's something that can significantly lessen the pain the next time your notebook starts acting up and, worse, heads for that great computer junkyard in the sky.

The SanDisk FlashBack Adapter, unveiled recently at the CeBIT tradeshow in Hannover, Germany, is an ExpressCard backup solution for notebooks that automatically stores and encrypts critical data from the computer's hard drive onto SD/SDHC cards (sold separately). This backup process is continuously running in the background while the laptop is in use, so there's no need for additional user intervention once the folders/files/file types have been specified.

In the event of computer failure, the SD card can be inserted into the card reader of any PC running Windows 2000, XP or Vista, and the encrypted data can then be extracted when the user logs into the software application.

What's appealing about the FlashBack Adapter is that it is less intrusive compared to other storage solutions in the market where the backup drive has to be connected and activated by the user. The SanDisk works pretty much on its own after the initial setup and hides neatly in the ExpressCard slot, so you won't even know it's there. With 8GB SDHC cards going for less than S$60 these days and storage capacities continuing to expand, the concept of using SD flash memory for backup may just be the affordable solution for many people to keep their work files, school assignments or even favorite photo memories safe.

The only caveat is that it works with ExpressCard slots, not PCMCIA card bays, so it is unlikely to find a place among users with older notebooks.

According to SanDisk, the FlashBack Adapter also offers users an option to backup files online, in addition to storing them on the SD card. A nominal fee is required for the online backup service which is provided by BeInSync Inc.

The FlashBack Adapter is expected to be available worldwide in the second quarter of 2008 at an estimated retail price of US$29.99.

Filed under: Notebooks, PC & Peripherals
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