Cyberlink PowerBackup 2.5 Review

Review summary

Good points

Bad points

Our verdict

Cyberlink PowerBackup is one of the most complete backup utilities available. It performs great, and it offers a wealth of features. Overall, this product is an excellent value.

Full review

Cyberlink is a software company that has developed a varied product line over the course of more than a decade. In most instances, these products have been well received by critics and users alike. PowerBackup, which is one of Cyberlink's most popular backup products, already has a steady following. To find out why, we decided to try it out.

Setup

Compared to competing products, the suggested system specifications for PowerBackup are relatively low, so most modern PCs should be able to run this software with ease. Oddly enough, however, the Cyberlink website does not mention whether or not PowerBackup supports Windows 7. On our test system, which runs Windows 7, PowerBackup managed to install and run without any issues, so most Windows 7 users should have no problems getting this backup utility installed and working with minimal hassles.

Backup

Powerbackup offers three distinct types of backup methods: differential, incremental, and full. The differential-backup method archives new files and files that have been modified. The incremental method simply archives files created since the last backup performed. Full backups completely backup all files, which is good for users who want to keep absolutely everything.

In addition to offering a variety of different backup methods, PowerBackup also allows users to archive their files and copy these archives to a variety of different storage-media types. For example, archives can be stored on flash drives, zip drives, hard-drive partitions, CDs, DVDs, and more! Also, with three different levels of compression, Powerbackup can be configured to save files into archives that take up only minimal amounts of space.

This software also features the ability to schedule backups. Backups can be scheduled to occur daily, weekly, or monthly. Of course, scheduled backups can be canceled easily at any time.

System performance

PowerBackup performs backups without causing any significant computing disruptions. Also, since it runs without hogging system resources, it does not cause noticeable slow downs on systems with moderate specifications. In fact, files can even be restored while users utilize their computers for other purposes.

Restore

When restoring data with PowerBackup, users have several different options. Files can be restored from disks, backup files, and more. Users also have the ability to choose where these files will be restored, which means that restored files do not have to be returned to their original directories. Of course, users can browse through backups and choose individual files when performing file restorations.

Features

Password-protected archives - Powerbackup archives files to save space, but it can do more than that. This software can also protect these archives with passwords to ensure that users' data never falls into the wrong hands.

Support for Blu-ray disks - Many PCs now come with Blu-ray drives installed. Unfortunately, many data-backup programs still lack support for Blu-ray disks, which have the potential to store far more data than DVDs. Powerbackup supports the burning of archives to Blue-ray disks, even 50GB dual-layer disks.

Restorer utility – This handy utility provides users with the ability to restore data without the PowerBackup application installed. It works by creating an executable file that is capable of browsing through archives and restoring files.

Ease of use

PowerBackup is so simple that even novices should have no issues using it. While testing PowerBackup, we were impressed by how many of its most powerful features worked in such an intuitive manner. In fact, while using this software, we never encountered any information that came across as confusing. Unfortunately, however, PowerBackup does lack the handy one-click-backup features that so many competing products offer.

Help & support

PowerBackup users have access to wide range of support options and plenty of help-related information. On the Cyberlink website, for instance, users can browse through a knowledge base, an active forum, an FAQ, and more. Also, for technical issues, users can submit a support ticket and expect a reply within a few days. For pressing issues, phone-based support is available, but it is not free.

Overall

PowerBackup does everything that users would expect and more. It is easily one of the most fully featured backup utilities available, and it is also easy to use. While it lacks one-click backup and free phone support, PowerBackup makes up for these shortcomings many times over.

Looking for data backup software reviews?
See our side-by-side comparisons and in-depth reviews

Overall
Setup
Backup
System performance
Restore
Features
Ease of use
Help & support