The $39.99 Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Essentials offer was a real launch-period deal in September 2021, but it is not a current offer. It covered one PC or Mac for one year, down from a stated $49.99 launch MSRP. Version 26.0 was mainly a rebrand of Acronis True Image 2021, not a major new backup release; today, Acronis uses the True Image name again.
What launched in September 2021?
Acronis announced that its personal backup product, previously called Acronis True Image, would be renamed Cyber Protect Home Office on September 8, 2021. The release covered Windows and Mac and was positioned as a combination of backup, disk imaging, cloning, and cyber protection. Acronis’s rebrand announcement explains the change.
On September 21, contemporary coverage identified the launch version as 26.0 and described the release as primarily a name and version-number change from True Image 2021, rather than a substantial functional overhaul. The case for buying it was the existing backup toolkit and its security features, not a wholly new backup engine. The launch coverage provides the version and deal details.
What Essentials included—and what it did not
Essentials was the core backup-focused tier. Its practical functions included selecting files for backup, creating full-drive images, making incremental or differential backups, and cloning a disk. Destinations included local drives, NAS devices, and remote destinations through FTP. Imaging is useful for restoring a system with its operating system, applications, settings, and data; file backup is more targeted, while cloning is generally used when migrating to another drive.
The Tool Desk
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- 【Versatile Storage Expansion – For Gaming, Work & Everyday Use】 Running out of space on your PS5 or Xbox Series X/S? This external hard drive lets you store and play PS4 / Xbox One games directly, instantly freeing up your console’s internal storage for next‑gen titles. At the same time, it handles work file backups, media libraries, and cross‑device data transfers with ease. One drive, all your needs. *（Note: PS5 / Xbox Series X|S games cannot be run or stored directly from the external hard drive. However, by offloading your PS4 / Xbox One games, you can free up valuable space for newer titles.）*
- 【Patented Silicone Sleeve – Data Protection You Can Count On】 Worried about drops? We’ve got you covered. The patented built‑in silicone sleeve acts like a shock‑absorbing armor, cushioning your drive against bumps and falls. Whether it’s important work documents, precious family photos, or hard‑earned game saves, your data deserves this level of protection.
- 【Plug & Play, Compatible with Computers & Consoles】 No complicated setup—just plug in and go. Works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, as well as PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Process files at the office, back up data at home, or enjoy gaming in your downtime—one drive handles all your devices, simply and hassle‑free.
- 【USB 3.0 Ultra‑Fast Transfer – No More Waiting】 Tired of watching progress bars crawl? With USB 3.0 speeds up to 5Gbps, large files transfer in seconds. Whether you’re moving work documents, transferring hundreds of gigs of games, or backing up a year’s worth of photos, you get more done in less time.
- 【Sleek, Lightweight, and Ready to Go】 Weighing just 0.16 kg—lighter than a can of soda—this compact drive features a stylish mirror‑and‑frosted finish. Toss it in your bag and go, whether you’re heading to the office, visiting a friend for a gaming session, or giving a presentation on the road.
- File backup: Protects chosen documents, photos, and other files.
- Full-drive imaging: Captures a broader system snapshot for recovery after a drive or system failure.
- Incremental and differential backups: Record changes after an initial backup, reducing the data written each time.
- Cloning: Helps transfer a drive to replacement or larger storage; it is not the same workflow as maintaining scheduled recovery images.
- Additional tools: The launch coverage also described Secure Zone, Universal Restore, Archive, and Sync. Universal Restore was intended to help move a backup to different hardware, subject to compatibility and licensing limitations.
Essentials did not include Acronis cloud-storage capacity. Acronis’s 2023 Windows product guide likewise distinguishes plans by cloud storage and security features; its details should not be read as a promise that every platform or feature behaved identically. See the product guide.
Acronis positioned the product as combining backup with cyber protection. Launch coverage described ransomware and illicit-cryptomining protection in Essentials, while broader anti-malware features were associated with higher tiers; the product guide described a 30-day trial of some broader features. Essentials should not be treated as having identical security coverage to Advanced or Premium. Backup also does not replace software updates, strong account security, or a separate security plan suited to your needs.
Rank #2
- 【Upgraded version】 - The mirror logo strip is combined with the striped non-slip design. The rounded corners of the shell are more suitable for holding. The strips play a heat dissipation function to ensure a stable and fast transmission process.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
How the launch-era tiers compared
The following are U.S. launch-era annual prices reported in September 2021, not current prices. Feature descriptions reflect the cited launch coverage.
| Tier | Launch MSRP | Reported distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $49.99 per year | Core backup and limited or secondary protection; no included Acronis cloud storage. |
| Advanced | $89.99 per year | Broader cyber protection, 500GB of Acronis cloud storage, Microsoft 365 backup, and version upgrades. |
| Premium | $124.99 per year | 1TB of cloud storage, expandable up to 5TB, and priority support. |
These distinctions matter more than the discount alone. Advanced was the more relevant tier for a buyer who wanted cloud backup, Microsoft 365 backup, or broader anti-malware coverage. Premium was aimed at buyers who needed more cloud capacity and priority support. Essentials made more sense for someone who already had a dependable local drive or NAS and primarily wanted imaging, cloning, and local backup.
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Rank #3
- 【Versatile Storage Expansion – For Gaming, Work & Everyday Use】 Running out of space on your PS5 or Xbox Series X/S? This external hard drive lets you store and play PS4 / Xbox One games directly, instantly freeing up your console’s internal storage for next‑gen titles. At the same time, it handles work file backups, media libraries, and cross‑device data transfers with ease. One drive, all your needs. *（Note: PS5 / Xbox Series X|S games cannot be run or stored directly from the external hard drive. However, by offloading your PS4 / Xbox One games, you can free up valuable space for newer titles.）*
- 【Patented Silicone Sleeve – Data Protection You Can Count On】 Worried about drops? We’ve got you covered. The patented built‑in silicone sleeve acts like a shock‑absorbing armor, cushioning your drive against bumps and falls. Whether it’s important work documents, precious family photos, or hard‑earned game saves, your data deserves this level of protection.
- 【Plug & Play, Compatible with Computers & Consoles】 No complicated setup—just plug in and go. Works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, as well as PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Process files at the office, back up data at home, or enjoy gaming in your downtime—one drive handles all your devices, simply and hassle‑free.
- 【USB 3.0 Ultra‑Fast Transfer – No More Waiting】 Tired of watching progress bars crawl? With USB 3.0 speeds up to 5Gbps, large files transfer in seconds. Whether you’re moving work documents, transferring hundreds of gigs of games, or backing up a year’s worth of photos, you get more done in less time.
- 【Sleek, Lightweight, and Ready to Go】 Weighing just 0.16 kg—lighter than a can of soda—this compact drive features a stylish mirror‑and‑frosted finish. Toss it in your bag and go, whether you’re heading to the office, visiting a friend for a gaming session, or giving a presentation on the road.
What the $39.99 deal actually meant
The September 2021 promotion covered one device—PC or Mac—for one year. Compared with the stated $49.99 MSRP, the $39.99 price saved $10, which is about 20% of that MSRP. It was an annual subscription offer, not a permanent price or a perpetual license.
The deal was therefore most compelling for a single-computer user with their own storage. It was a weaker fit for a household with multiple computers, someone expecting cloud storage to be included, or anyone who wanted comprehensive anti-malware features without relying on a trial or another security product. Anyone considering an annual subscription should also check the renewal terms rather than assume the introductory price repeats.
Rank #4
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
The old reseller listing is not evidence of a live bargain: its indexed page reports “No Stock.” Check the historical listing. Do not assume an old product page or search result means the 2021 offer remains available.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Backup choices that affect whether Essentials would work
Choose a destination that survives a device failure
A backup stored only on the computer it protects can disappear with that computer. An external drive or NAS gives you another destination, but a permanently connected drive may also be exposed to ransomware or accidental deletion. Keep a separate or disconnected copy where practical, and protect NAS access with appropriate permissions.
Best Value
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
Plan for the size and recovery method
Full images can require substantial storage even when later incremental backups are smaller. Before relying on an image, create recovery media and test that the computer can boot from it and see the storage and network hardware needed for restoration. A recovery environment without the right drivers may not be able to access a newer drive, RAID setup, or network location.
Do not confuse backup, sync, and cloning
Cloning is useful for a drive migration; scheduled images are better suited to restoring a system after a failure. Sync and archive functions address other storage workflows and are not substitutes for an independent recovery copy. A backup that has never been restored is not a verified recovery plan.
What happened to the product name?
Acronis announced a later Cyber Protect Home Office update with AI-based security and identity-protection features on September 19, 2023, illustrating that the product continued to evolve after version 26.0. Read Acronis’s 2023 announcement.
On July 16, 2024, Acronis announced the return of the Acronis True Image name. Its current product page uses that name and identifies it as formerly Cyber Protect Home Office. The current page presents Essentials, Advanced, and Premium, but plan details and prices can change by region and date. See the 2024 name announcement and check Acronis’s current plan page before making a present-day purchase decision.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
