First of all, what exactly do you want to accomplish? There are other free backup/restore/imaging programs out there unless you really want to use Acronis which is a great program that I also use.
Nero is also good software. It offers all kinds of products such as image editing, cd dvd burning, backing up and lots of other special features. I bought the whole Nero 9 Pack, very useful and it only costs around 50-60 euros. Thats a good price for how much it offers.