While onsite with a customer rolling out a new wave of Dell Laptops, I noticed Dell has quietly released a built-in backup and recovery suite, specifically geared for their laptop lineup. I commend them on finally bringing a simple easy to use interface into the mainstream. Microsoft's Backup Utility has been under the hood for years, but most end users are not familiar with it. Dell has jumped in, and think end users backing up their data and their entire system is good thing.

Below is quick summary of the features and functionality:

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Backup Features:
* Create automatic scheduled data backups
* Easily manipulate system backup files (append, export, etc)
* Selectively backup data or the entire laptop
* Backup to internal hard drive or to external device

Recovery Features:
* Easily go back to original factory-shipped image
* Recover your entire system from any saved backup image
* Restore individual files &amp; folders, or the entire system
* Create Dell Recovery Media, Diagnostic CDs, and Operating System media

Only time will tell if this application will be considered as rock solid as <a href="http://blogs.egroup.jasonmangone.com/?p=1104">Symantec's Backup Exec System Recovery</a>, which comes highly touted and prides itself on a trophy case full of awards. Never the less, it is a start.

Remember: You're only as good as your last backup. 
