External HDs

[jrbick]

Curious what everyone thinks about external hard drives. I've been thinking lately that it might make sense to get one since I run an eMachine desktop that seems like it's on it's last legs. I'm not one to just go get a new comp until absolutely necessary.

So I'm wondering:

1.) w/ the external HD, do you literally back up your entire HD as it is on the CPU? i.e. I could just load it onto a new computer and have instant use of applications, etc.

2.) what is a good price for an external HD?

3.) what brand is recommended?

TIA