Best external hard drive for a MacBook Pro

[terrigrey]

I am a total numb-skull when it comes to computers.
I have a MacBook which I have never backed up.
It has 250gb off 'stuff' stored on it, including some software I use which you can no longer buy (and I haven't got backups off).
I need to install an operating systems update - but that could cause everything to be wiped.
Which external storage drive would be best/easiest for me to use?
Thanks

Get a 4tb SSD with a fast write like this: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07M67ZFLW?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Oh, and set it as your Time Machine disk like this: www.backblaze.com/mac-backup.html

Thanks for your help! @lokoho

That drive linked to there isn’t an ssd, sorry to be pedantic. That size ssd will cost in the region of £500 and is probably overkill for backups. A normal drive should be fine.

The LaCie rugged series are pretty good, I see a lot in my line of work (music)

One other thing to check is that all your software will work or can be updated to work on your new os. Some stuff I’m using isn’t yet ready to work with Catalina.