Most people actually would have no idea where to start to build their own back up server. So, for your average user, Backblaze type of online backup is the only real back up option.
Sure they do: buy an Apple Time Capsule. Or similar appliance that contains two drives at RAID 1. Think backup appliance, not Debian box.
And exactly — the average person would have one Backblaze account per device, which would get … pricy quickly.[/quote]
I guess for average Mac user, one would know about Apple Time Capsule. I’d consider myself above average and even I don’t know about Apple Time Capsule. Also, average computer users uses PC, not Mac.
Lets assume average user does have one account per device, and an average family have 3 computers, that $143/year. To set up their own back up device, it’s $140-180/year depending on electrical charges and equipment charges. So we’re looking at similar priced to slightly more to run your own. But you’d need to maintain your own and you don’t have the advantage of the backup being in a different physical location. So, personally, I’d still go with something like Backblaze.
Another question would be, how much data does one wants/needs to back up. If it’s smaller (less than 75GB), it would be cheaper to go with something like Skydrive, which is $25/year for 75GB.
Obviously, running your own would be a better deal if you:
a) have sensitive data you don’t trust putting on someone else’s server
b) you have many computers
c) you have solar electricity
d) you like to actually have total control of your data at all time.
