Mfsekm wrote:
... I called Carbonite and they asked my why I didn't just plug it in? I told the rep it was a laptop and he said "Yes, they have plugs as well." ...
I use CrashPlan.com to my own Mac mini server (this is a free option, and it could be a Windows or Linux server if you have one of those available), HOWEVER, I do have my Macbook Pro plugged in overnight when the backup occurs, so I cannot say what this would do to my battery.
Then again, CrashPlan does have configuration options to limit resources used.
CrashPlan is a little bit of fun (insert sarcasm here) to get configured as both a client and server, and not get confused with the other backup options they offer, but once figured out, it works for me.
I use CrashPlan with my Mom (300 miles away), my Macbook Pro, and my Wife's 2 Macbook Pros all going to a Mac mini in the basement with lots of external storage.
If you have another Mac you can use as a server (as in always available, and an plug in external disks) you can use it as a server, then you can confgure Carbon Copy Cloner to backup over your home LAN so you do not need to plug in a hard drive to your Mac, because if it is too much trouble to plug in a power cord, plugging in a USB cable would be just as bad.