Dell is offering US customers the option of adding an automatic back-up system to their new PC when they buy one of three models from its Dimension range.

The Texas-based firm says that for an extra $99 it will install a second, 80GB hard drive in new Dimension E310, E510 and XPS 400 models. The drive will be configured to continuously back up the main drive, protecting personal data against the dreaded hard drive crash.

Although anyone with a working knowledge of PCs can set up their own back up system relatively simply, not everyone knows how. Dell says the idea behind DataSafe is to make data recovery easy for consumers, news agency AP reports.

"You don't have to mess with any widgets or gears. It's ready right out of the box," a spokesman said.

At the time of writing, we are awaiting confirmation of any plans the company has for a launch outside the US. ®