Conclusion – Is the Google Cloud (Storage) Floating on Air?
In the previous pages we have covered what Google Drive does, how to set it up, and how well it works. This page will cover any final considerations or thoughts that did not fit into the previous sections as well as the decision on whether or not Google Drive makes the cut.
Final Considerations
While this is not a “full review” of Google Drive–in the sense that we are not looking at the Linux and Mac clients or mobile applications–I have used the (Windows) desktop application and web interface enough that I believe I can provide some initial feedback and my personal recommendation on whether it is worth checking out. This page will go over briefly what Google Drive is, what I love about it, what i would like to see improved, and my final verdict. Consider this more of a preview than a full review if that helps put my thoughts on Google Drive into context. I will be digging further into Google Drive as I have more time to test out all the features and various client and tie-in applications which may be covered at a later date.
Conclusion
What it is
Google Drive is a new online cloud storage service from search engine giant Google. The Google Drive is the new bucket that all your Google data is put into (Gmail, Google Docs, App Inventor, Picasa Web Albums, et al), and–except for email–Google Drive will sync your online files with a folder on your local machine. The company provides both free and paid-for storage tiers with various amounts of space for your files and folders. Google also makes all your content search-able, including using OCR technology to search for text in scanned documents and searching for objects in uploaded images. Users can use Google Drive to backup local files to Google’s servers as well as to sync files and folders across multiple computers.
What I love
The installation of the Windows app was extremely quick and straightforward. The Google Drive app was syncing all my files in under a minute of downloading! The 10GB per file limit is very generous, so I appreciate that. Storage is priced competitively and they still allow all the same free space (for Google+ uploads, for example) users had before which is great. Also, syncing is quick and the application is small and light on resources.
What I’d like to see improved
Not having true offline access to documents in Google Docs format is a big drawback–it would be really nice to be able to edit documents even when away from a constant Internet connection. Therefore, I would really like to see Google develop a method for offline editing like service InSync has managed to do (by converting Google Docs to local machine compatible formats). Other smaller issues include the service refusing to upload certain files and that, in my opinion, the web interface leaves something to be desired.
Is it worth switching to?
Short answer: no. Long answer: maybe. If you are using enough cloud storage that you are paying for it, Google Drive may be cheaper per Gigabyte than you are paying now. If you are sticking with free cloud storage tiers though, Google Drive does not offer the most free storage and, in my opinion, does not offer much to entice free users to totally switch over. With that said, it’s not a bad service by any means (though it’s a bit late to the party) and it is a good place to backup your data to. If I have learned anything over the years, it is that you can never have too many backups, and Google Drive may just save your bacon one day! Because many users already have at least one Google account (and if they don’t, it’s easy to get one), it can’t hurt to have another off-site backup for your important photos and documents.
So, is it worth checking out? Yes. Is it worth switching to? For paid-storage users: maybe, depending on what your current storage provider is currently offering you. But for free storage users: yes, but I would advise thinking of it less in terms of switching and more in terms of adding Google Drive to your backup regime, especially if you are only dealing with amounts of storage that falls within free tiers.
Verdict
What this all comes down to though is whether or not I can recommend this product. After some consideration, I see no reason why users should not check it out for themselves even if they are already using a competing service. Many technology enthusiasts have at least one Google account, so the barrier to entry is close to zero. The service is snappy and useful while offering competitive paid storage tiers and interesting associated features. In the end, while Google Drive isn’t perfect, and it has entered the market at a very late stage, it is a good effort and a solid initial release that delivers the on the promise(s) of providing cloud storage.
Google Drive is receiving the PC Perspective Silver Award because even with its minor flaws, it delivers on the promises of competitive cloud storage and associated launch features.
People that had a Google
People that had a Google Storage plan before the launch of GDrive, are grandfathered in.
I had a 20GB plan for 5$/year which gave me:
– 20GB Gmail Storage
– 20GB Google Docs Storage
– 20GB Picasa Web Storage
After Google Drive was launched, i have, for the same 5$/year
– 30GB Gmail Storage
– 21GB Picasa Web Storage
– 25 GB Google Docs/Drive Storage
You’re only grandfathered in
You’re only grandfathered in if you never let your account lapse and you never upgrade. Need more storage? Too bad.
I had been looking forward to an improved interface and something more than just “docs.google” for some time, but was bummed to find out that they were going to more than double the price. I currently have a 400gb account with google for a mere $100/yr. I’m on the search for another – cheaper – solution.
Google isn’t really the best
Google isn’t really the best plan for those who pay for storage either. Unless you’re heavily invested in Googles products,or need ALOT of storage Microsofts Skydrive is a better option, more free storage, and you pay less for the extra storage.
True, Skydrive is the
True, Skydrive is the cheapest option, but if you are invested in Google products you may as well, it’s priced pretty competitively for the 50GB+ tiers. I’m using the 30 (+25GB paid tier) on Google Drive right now, though I don’t know if I’ll keep it or not.
I just can’t see any use for
I just can’t see any use for these types of apps.
I don’t install any “synch”
I don’t install any “synch” drivers from anyone. I only use these free cloud drives through my web browser. That said, free storage is free storage! I’m not going to pick between them! I’ll use them all! 🙂
With 5 gig from Amazon, 5 gig from Google, and 7 gig from Windows, I have a place to dump 17 gigs worth of stuff. Archive storage for stuff that isn’t important, but that I don’t want to lose, and temp storage for all the stuff that is important, while I do reinstalls and the like.
All the docs and image gallery stuff is so much fluff for me. I just need a place to put stuff, and get it back later.
Yeah, I can respect that
Yeah, I can respect that strategy :). Skydrive saved my butt about two years ago when my backup hard drive died… I thought all my senior photos and such were gone forever but turns out I had uploaded them all to Skydrive 🙂
Ever since then, I’ve been putting as much stuff in as many baskets as possible 🙂
just remember to encrypt your
just remember to encrypt your data before you go putting it on someone elses hard drive.
i had to try google drive for
i had to try google drive for to share an urgent 1.2 GB file.
a week ago i shared the same file on Drop Box and it took about 10 hours to upload, and Drop Box showed the remaining time since the beginning of upload till the end and everything was OK.
i exceeded my storage space with Drop Box so i had to share another version of the same 1.2 GB file but this time using Google Drive :
on the same iMac and same connection speed Google drive took more than 31 Hours to upload, and during this time i was VERY VERY FRUSTRATED because i could not just know the remaining time and of course because it took MORE THAN 3 TIMES LONGER than Drop Box.
i said there is something wrong here so
i tried again Drop Box to make really sure
and again :
Drop Box took this time about 11 Hours to complete
the remaining time was VERY HELPFUL and the last remaining hour was displayed in very accurate and precise “remaining minutes ” !
i after that launched again same file on Google Drive and now it has been uploading since 18 hours now and still NOT COMPLETED and there s NO WAY i could know how much time this would take.
this is the first time i AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED OF A GOOGLE PRODUCT.
MAY BE THEY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT “GOOGLE DRIVE” BECAUSE IT HAS NOTHING “GOOGLE” !
**Note, during all the upload time in all this uploads, i left my mac was always on day and night, with the sleep function and hard disk suspension disabled !
i had to try google drive for
i had to try google drive for to share an urgent 1.2 GB file.
a week ago i shared the same file on Drop Box and it took about 10 hours to upload, and Drop Box showed the remaining time since the beginning of upload till the end and everything was OK.
i exceeded my storage space with Drop Box so i had to share another version of the same 1.2 GB file but this time using Google Drive :
on the same iMac and same connection speed Google drive took more than 31 Hours to upload, and during this time i was VERY VERY FRUSTRATED because i could not just know the remaining time and of course because it took MORE THAN 3 TIMES LONGER than Drop Box.
i said there is something wrong here so
i tried again Drop Box to make really sure
and again :
Drop Box took this time about 11 Hours to complete
the remaining time was VERY HELPFUL and the last remaining hour was displayed in very accurate and precise “remaining minutes ” !
i after that launched again same file on Google Drive and now it has been uploading since 18 hours now and still NOT COMPLETED and there s NO WAY i could know how much time this would take.
this is the first time i AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED OF A GOOGLE PRODUCT.
MAY BE THEY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT “GOOGLE DRIVE” BECAUSE IT HAS NOTHING “GOOGLE” !
**Note, during all the upload time in all this uploads, i left my mac was always on day and night, with the sleep function and hard disk suspension disabled !