Acronis 11 Vs. Norton Ghost 14
Acronis 11 and Norton Ghost 14 are data backup software suites. Both work with the Windows operating system, and both have the same system requirements: a 300-MHz processor and 256MB of RAM. The most noticeable difference is the price: as of the date of publication, Norton Ghost 14 costs around $70, while its counterpart is available for about $50.
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Backup Functions
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Both software suites can perform a complete backup of your hard drive as you continue on with other tasks. However, whereas Norton Ghost 14 only supports incremental, individual file and scheduled backups, Acronis adds the capability to perform a differential backup, in which only those files that have been altered since the last full backup are backed up. Both suites also permit files to be backed up to an external drive or removable media disk.
Recovery Options
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Both backup suites can perform live recoveries, meaning you don't have to create a boot disk to recover your hard drive's contents. The difference lies in Acronis's advanced functions, which include the ability to restore your entire system, including the operating system, to a different computer, and the capability to pinpoint only certain files to restore. In addition, if you've backed your data to the Web, you can request that an external drive be mailed to you.
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Encryption and Compression
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While both suites offer data protection, Norton Ghost 14 trumps its competitor in this regard, as it offers drive encryption, as well as error and integrity checks. Acronis 11 limits security to 256-bit AES encryption and a standard password. As for compression, both suites compress backups so that they take up less space.
Bottom Line
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Acronis 11 and Norton Ghost 14 are practically identical in numerous ways. Both support most backup functions, and offer some degree of security protection and live functionality, where all tasks can be completed without a boot disk. Despite one or two flaws, such as limited data security, the bottom line is that Acronis 11 is the more affordable option. The real difference lies in branding, as Norton has been in operation a lot longer than Acronis.
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