Upgrading to ML questions

[Cvadh387]

I bought a new MacBook Pro in late June and I'm planning to get Mountain Lion once I get my redemption code..

I'm a new mac user so I have some questions.

First of all, should I do a clean install or just upgrade? What is the difference? And also, should I backup my stuff? If so, how do I do that? Do I need to buy something or get a blank CD or USB with enough gigs..?

Also I read somewhere that sometimes there are errors when downloading ML.. is there a way for me to avoid that? I guess since I'm new to this I'm afraid I'll do it wrong and I want to avoid that.

Sorry for sounding like a n00b :/ Thanks in advance!

 

[Weaselboy]

Just go buy yourself any USB 3.0 external drive... any will work. Plug it in and turn on Time Machine and you will be asked to format for Mac. After the format is complete, just let it complete a full backup.

After you have backed up, just download Mountain Lion from the app store and install it. With a machine as new as yours there is no reason to do a clean install, just do the upgrade.

Welcome to the forums.