external HD + 2 macs - partition?

[dcx3]

Quick question, and I haven't found the exact answer via search.

I am buying a new MBP and external HD. Not sure what HD I will buy, but I plan to put all my files from my iBook onto it and then have the ability for the MBP to see the files for when I want to use the photos or add the songs to my iTunes.

Is that possible or will the HD need to be formatted for each computer?

I am not familiar with external HD's so apologize if this is a simple question.

I would prefer to back up everything from the iBook to the ext. HD rather than transfer everything to the MBP.

 

[old-wiz]

You can plug the external HD into the iBook, copy the files, then eject the volume and plug it into the MacBook. Disks for PCs come formatted for FAT-32 typically, but for Mac you want HFS. Once you format it as HFS either MAC can read the drive. However, you could also just hook the two together with an ethernet cable and transfer that way.