I have been using a free software tool to back up MY DOCUMENTS and to synchronize my files on the laptops over to a portable USB drive. This software is free and is highly rated at download.com. You simply plug in your back up drive, then set up the folders to copy, such as the entire MY DOCUMENT folder, and then click copy, or sync. The software will compare your files to the files on the backup drive and then present you with a list of found and missing items. Review the list and then click copy, and your files will be updated onto the backup drive.
You can download this free software here:
www.kish-d.com/
Here is a picture of the interface:
I know there are other sync tools and backup tools, but this one has been the best for me. I like the fact that it does not encrypt the backup or password protect it, the back up is simply a direct file copy. That is good when you want to quickly find a file off the back up drive.
Hayden, who uses this sync tool every week.