Best type of backup drive

Hi all, this is my first question posted to TQ&A, so please be gentle. 🙂

I am looking at purchasing a backup drive. It has been recommended that Maxtor would be the best external easy to use device for me. I would like your recommendations.

This would be for my Dell and Gateway laptops via a USB port. I have very important information to make sure nothing happens to it, so I would really appreciate all your advice.