Help with backing up Macbook Pro C2D

Hi - I've been searching around the Internet and have come across countless threads about backing up a Macbook Pro, but most seem to be outdated.
My wife has a Macbook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo which is currently running 10.4.11. We've been throwing around the idea of upgrading, but decided we'll just update the OS (so we can use iTunes/sync iPhone). I've read a lot of the same suggestion - backup the hard drive. This has never been done on this laptop, so I am most certainly overdue.
With that being said, what is the easiest (and preferrably cheapest) way to backup my entire laptop? I don't own any external harddrives, but I would be willing to purchase if it's the cheapest option. Cloud storage would be great, but I'm not sure which companies provide the best service (some I've seen only backs up data like pictures and documents, not the actual OS and applications). I don't have a 10.4 CD in case the 10.6 install fails. I also don't have any of my software CDs such as Microsoft Office.
I'm open to any suggestions and I apologize for my post - I'm sure it's something that comes up often, but I want to make sure I have current feedback.
Thanks,

Courcoul, thanks so much for your help. I'm currently searching for an external harddrive w/ Firewire - they certainly try to trick the consumer with selling a USB 3.0 with the option to "upgrade" to firewire.
A 500GB drive should do it, which would you recommend out of these options:
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Passport-FireWire-Portable/dp/B00378KLYM/r ef=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.amazon.com/Passport-Studio-Portable-External-Storage/dp/B005ELBSXS/re f=amtcd_B00378KLYM_B005ELBSXS
(or any others you may be able to suggest)

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