Thinkpads Forum

Acronis True Image Home 2012 (DVD)
Software weekly special, limited offer on 02/14 and 02/15/2012.
In stock. Limit 5 per customer.

Was: $49.99
Now: $25.00
Save: $24.99

$5.00 After $20.00 MIR

Find it at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 0030-L018B

Looking for a good backup solution, I have read numerous reviews of Acronis, given that many people on tech sites recommend it. If you look at Newegg's reviews on this product, you will see a lot of dissatisfied users. If you look at the reviews on Amazon for any of the recent versions of Acronis you will see, again, a very large number of negative reviews. It appears to me that earlier versions of Acronis were very good, but that more recent versions are problematic, for more than a few users.

Never had a problem with it, and it always did what I wanted it to do. No complaints here. Nice deal ...

I have used Acronis in different versions. Currently using 2009 and 2010, and now have 2012 (bought before this offer ) ready to be installed.
I never had any problems and use this program almost daily (but always for taking or restoring full images from laptop to PC and v.v.).

I have been using Apricorn to clone drives, but I couldn't pass up this deal (thanks RBS!) I'm hoping Acronis True Image is easy enough for a non-geek (me) to be able to understand and use.

emtee3511 wrote:I have been using Apricorn to clone drives, but I couldn't pass up this deal (thanks RBS!) I'm hoping Acronis True Image is easy enough for a non-geek (me) to be able to understand and use.

It's great that Acronis works for those who have posted here. But it cannot be irrelevant that so many users at Newegg and Amazon have had decidedly negative experiences with newer versions. They can't all be fantasizing their experiences, and I think it would be prudent for potential buyers to read these reviews. Just by going to the link for the deal, prospective buyers can read the reviews. On the Amazon site, for example, there are more negative than positive reviews.

As I mentioned earlier, many of the most critical reviews were by people who successfully used earlier versions of the software.

I have no horse in this race.

From someone who *never* clones hard drives...

The big difference between the users *here* and the ones on NewEgg/Amazon is that people here tend to know what they're doing... ...at least for the most part...

I recall reading that the older versions had some feature that the new versions don't have.
Is that true?

With all respect, I don't think you can assume that the users on Amazon and Newegg are computer illiterate, particularly those users that have used and liked earlier versions.

And then there's this from the Acronis forums:
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/24487

Apparently, another irritant is the restriction in activations.

taichi wrote:With all respect, I don't think you can assume that the users on Amazon and Newegg are computer illiterate, particularly those users that have used and liked earlier versions.

We are on ThinkPad forum.

Overwhelming majority of users who clone their drives around here agree that Acronis is the *only* way to clone a ThinkPad drive.

As previously stated, I don't clone hard drives, for reasons of my own.

Both NewEgg and Amazon are full of user reviews - on *any* topic - from people who have yet to learn how to tie their shoes, let alone clone a hard drive...

ajkula66 wrote:
We are on ThinkPad forum.

....Overwhelming majority of users who clone their drives around here agree that Acronis is the *only* way to clone a ThinkPad drive....

...Both NewEgg and Amazon are full of user reviews - on *any* topic - from people who have yet to learn how to tie their shoes, let alone clone a hard drive...

Yes, I know we are on the Thinkpad forum. Good observation.

I don't think the majority of posters here who have used Acronis have used the 2012 version, which is the whole point that the reviews are making, including the posts on the Acronis forum. (http://forum.acronis.com/forum/24487)
As I keep reiterating, many of the negative reviews come from people who like the previous versions. That is what is compelling.

Putting aside the experiences that well seasoned Acronis users on the Acronis forum have had with the 2012 version, I think that anyone who chooses to read the Amazon and Newegg reviews will soon be able to differentiate the savvy computer users from those having trouble tying their shoes. I suggest that people who bother to read these reviews focus on those literate reviewers, and ignore those having trouble with their shoes, or with such things as tooth cleaning.

My point of view is that it only helps to read a wide source of opinions, rather than refuse to read things that may challenge one's assumptions.

taichi wrote:
I don't think the majority of posters here who have used Acronis have used the 2012 version, which is the whole point that the reviews are making, including the posts on the Acronis forum. (http://forum.acronis.com/forum/24487)
As I keep reiterating, many of the negative reviews come from people who like the previous versions. That is what is compelling.

Putting aside the experiences that well seasoned Acronis users on the Acronis forum have had with the 2012 version, I think that anyone who chooses to read the Amazon and Newegg reviews will soon be able to differentiate the savvy computer users from those having trouble tying their shoes. I suggest that people who bother to read these reviews focus on those literate reviewers, and ignore those having trouble with their shoes, or with such things as tooth cleaning.

My point of view is that it only helps to read a wide source of opinions, rather than refuse to read things that may challenge one's assumptions.

I *never* assume anything, because we all know what that does...

In general, people come to forums of any kind to complain and look for help...so yes, you'll always hear more horror stories and disappointments than you'd hear about someone's positive experiences. As for the Acronis' own forum, a vast majority of the posters complaining in the thread that you've linked to are "beginners" as defined by that very forum's metrics. Enough said.

People do not like change and are apprehensive when faced with it. Heck, I'm sure you remember how much vitriol was spilled over the web when the ThinkPad name became property of Lenovo. Remember when our beloved laptops went 100% widescreen? It's really not very different from someone stating that they'll stick with 2011 version of Acronis and throw the 2012 media away...

Take a stroll to Lenovo's own forum and you'll get tired of reading about nothing but displeasure, thread after thread, within an hour.

Go on various Ford forums and read how thrilled people are with the new Explorer, the first one in 20 years that doesn't have a conventional chassis. They're NOT. Many of them would have the entire engineering department and management tarred and feathered just for starters...

My point being, Acronis has played well with ThinkPads for years.

No, I don't hold any of their stock and couldn't care less if the company in question went belly up tomorrow.

All in all, their reputation combined with a $5 price tag is a package that is pretty hard to beat, and likely the best deal of its kind currently available on the web. Which is why the link was posted in the Marketplace to begin with...

You're entitled to your opinion, George, just as we all are.

But you are making certain assumptions when you say that some of these forums... including the Acronis forums... are for beginners. That is not a fact.

When you imply that negative reviews on Acronis 2012 are from people resisting change, that is also an assumption... it is not fact.

When I read these reviews, and those on the Acronis forums, I give some weight to those users who have stated that they have used previous versions of Acronis, going back to version 4... without difficulty... but are having problems with this version. Many of these users do not sound like beginners to me.

Even if a program is bargain priced, it is no bargain if you inherit a wagon load of troubles.

In the final analysis Acronis 2012 may be a fine piece of software... or possibly not. I just don't understand why anyone thinking of putting something on their computer wouldn't read available reviews, particularly when there are so many negative ones. I don't know why anyone would say not to read them.

Personally, when I have made purchases based on Amazon reviews or Newegg reviews my experiences have been pretty consistent with those of the reviewers.

taichi wrote: But you are making certain assumptions when you say that some of these forums... including the Acronis forums... are for beginners. That is not a fact.

And that is NOT what I wrote... ...you may want to re-read my previous post.

When you imply that negative reviews on Acronis 2012 are from people resisting change, that is also an assumption... it is not fact.

That is factual experience of someone who actively participates in a variety of forums, dealing with anything from IT to cars and guns...humans resist and fear change. Human, too human as Nietzsche would have it...

I just don't understand why anyone thinking of putting something on their computer wouldn't read available reviews, particularly when there are so many negative ones. I don't know why anyone would say not to read them.

Once again, I never said "don't read..."

My point was that not everything written on the long-suffering web carries the same weight...

ajkula66 wrote:Overwhelming majority of users who clone their drives around here agree that Acronis is the *only* way to clone a ThinkPad drive.

Overwhelming, majority, only... I'm impressed, you must have done some very detailed analysis...

FWIW, for $5, it's probably a good deal.

But, if at $25, I wouldn't recommend Acronis to anyone.

Cheers.

Caution!!!
Thread spinning out of control. RBS thanks for the heads up. As for dissatisfied people on forums I have been told that going to them is the equivalent of going to a hospital and looking for sick people. I do however place trust in the reviews at newegg.

Hey guys and girls,
if you convert all the time (you have spent airing your views here) into money, you would have enough to buy ANY software package you like.
To argue back and forth over $5.- is ridiculous!

Being the Instigator here, I will also assume the role of Terminator.
Case closed.