Partition for TM

I have a new MBP and I think I'd like to partition the hard drive in order to set up Time Machine to back up my stuff. This is what I have:
Model Name: MacBook Pro (Mac OS x ver. 10.6.7)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro8,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 4
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Boot ROM Version: MBP81.0047.B04
SMC Version (system): 1.69f1

With my processor, etc., can I partition and is it a good idea?

Note: Moved thread to appropriate forum. Does not belong in News and Community Announcements.

A better idea would be to make an external HD your TimeMachine backup drive.
If you partition your system HD for TM and the internal HD craps out on you, you will loose everything on that HD.

This will sound so dumb, but an external has to be plugged in right? I have a laptop and frequently move around from room to room to outside, etc.

You sound like the target market for a Time Capsule.

+1 for Time Capsule.

Here's a refurb on the Apple site for $209.
Refurbished Time Capsule - 1TB, w/Simultaneous Dual-Band Wi-Fi - Apple Store (U.S.)

bobtomay said:

Note: Moved thread to appropriate forum. Does not belong in News and Community Announcements.

Click to expand...

Sorry, didn't mean to put it in News and Community Announcements. Thanks for re-directing.

And think of this. What will happen when, not if, your hard drive fails and TM is on a partition which will not be accessible? Go for an external mains powered drive in a suitable case.