Macbook backup for Mac AND PC

[Didi121]

Hi, im asking for a friend that have Macbook pro. The OS is getting old and many programs are not supported. She needs to upgrade the OS. Before doing so, she would like to backup the whole HD.
The thing is: if things wont work up with the OS upgrade, she will consider getting a new laptop. That may be a Mac or PC.
She got an external HD for the backing up.
The question is: how to beck up for both options? i.e. restoring to a new Mac or to a new PC?
Thanks.

 

[ffg7]

just copy & paste the files\folders like picture & documents to the external drive then do same thing to new mac\pc.

 

[Didi121]

just copy & paste the files\folders like picture & documents to the external drive then do same thing to new mac\pc.

Thanks ffg7. Im not very familiar with Mac, but as i understand, The external HDD needs to be formatted differently for Mac than to a PC. It is currently formatted for Mac. If i just copy and paste the files, will a PC be able to read/access those files?

 

[Didi121]

And if not - is it possible to make 2 partitions on the external HDD, one suitable for Mac and one for PC? and then copy the files onto both?

 

[ffg7]

I use windows 7 & my external hd formatted in ntfs is seen on macs with no problem. same goes for my 8gig usb flashdrive formatted in fat32.