OOPS, didn't see that question.

One of he options in creating a image backup is weather or not to compress the data.
I choose to compress. That does also make the backup process a bit slower as well, but like I said I start it just before I go to bed so as long as it's done in the morning that's fine.
Used space on my computer: 111 GB
Size of backup image file: 90.8 GB
Really not a big difference there, but every little bit helps.

I can't see any reason why you couldn't just boot up from a external drive and run the restore software from that drive instead of from a DVD or CD.
Maybe even from an SD card as well.
gotta admit never tried that though. Always used the CD.

Wow, I didn't realize that some of the newer PC's don't come with a DVD drive.
I got my last computer in late 2008. It's a Dell desktop.

Tim