Hi Folks,
No one size fits all on image programs. If this has alternate and sensible file-by-file backup (in case the image fails or you restore to another puter where the OS is installed first) that is a major plus. Acronis I think also has a "universal image restore" product (restore on any puter) but those tend to be more pricey. I see every image product from every vendor (freeware or commercial) occasionally gets posts about how the image restore did not take. So I caution .. anyone who relies on an image backup only .. have a file-by-file function somewhere.
Acronis is definitely top-tier, I do remember criticisms of their support. Myself .. undecided and considering.
Personally I see image backups more for test environments and some biz environments, preferring the simplicity of selective file-by-file and then the health of a new OS restore in case of a crash. However they seem to be all the rage these days. Personally, I usually see an OS lockup or a disk crash as a providential sign that it is time for a new, fresh OS install.
Shalom,
Steven