Getting a new mac, question about transferring data

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Posted:
in macOS edited January 2014
Hi, I'm getting a new macbook. Currently I use time machine as a backup tool and was wondering if I should use it to transfer all my data to the new mac. One benefit of a new harddrive is the fresh install without all the junk that has built up over the years right? So wouldn't time machine just be transferring all the junk and stuff I want to the new mac? or is time machine smarter than this

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  • Reply 1 of 10
    blascockblascock Posts: 153member
    .. Nothing? Should I be posting this question on a different forum?
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  • Reply 2 of 10
    utisnum1utisnum1 Posts: 138member
    Time Machine should only back up what you want. So transferring shouldn't be a problem but i wasn't aware that Time Machine can be used a system disc to load all OS preferences to a new Mac with the same information. From what I understood you are only allowed to have one back up of your system, legally.
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  • Reply 3 of 10
    I think it will transfer all of the junk. It will essentially copy pref files and settings, all the files on your home folder, which includes app support files.



    I'm going through the same thing right now. How do I set up my new computer without all of the junk, esp from the old Office and Adobe programs - they seem to have the most junk files.



    I think I'm going to do a clean install and transfer Mail folder and other folders. Then just setup all of my settings myself, and copy my Documents folder.



    --bindigok
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  • Reply 4 of 10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bindigok View Post


    I think it will transfer all of the junk. It will essentially copy pref files and settings, all the files on your home folder, which includes app support files.



    I'm going through the same thing right now. How do I set up my new computer without all of the junk, esp from the old Office and Adobe programs - they seem to have the most junk files.



    I think I'm going to do a clean install and transfer Mail folder and other folders. Then just setup all of my settings myself, and copy my Documents folder.



    --bindigok



    That's really the best way if you want it cleaned out and streamlined. Just move your essential personal files like email histories, photos, music and address books and the install the apps over anew.



    Although I'm pretty sure an Archive and Install will do most of what you're asking on the system side. It's a new OS install that preserves your personal info. The Libraries and such might still be cluttered up though.
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  • Reply 5 of 10
    blascockblascock Posts: 153member
    Hmm ok. I was planning on transferring my music, documents, picts. then reinstalling the apps I want. Can I simply connect my new mac through a usb cord? whats the best way to easily transfer the files?



    I was planning on transferring the files to my external then to the new one.
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  • Reply 6 of 10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Blascock View Post


    Hi, I'm getting a new macbook. Currently I use time machine as a backup tool and was wondering if I should use it to transfer all my data to the new mac. One benefit of a new harddrive is the fresh install without all the junk that has built up over the years right? So wouldn't time machine just be transferring all the junk and stuff I want to the new mac? or is time machine smarter than this



    To transfer your data to new mac try to additionally use this data backup software, 'cause info is the most important thing in the world and I am sure you don't want to lose it...
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  • Reply 7 of 10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Michael84 View Post


    To transfer your data to new mac try to additionally use this data backup software, 'cause info is the most important thing in the world and I am sure you don't want to lose it...



    Why would you want this. Isn't this a Windows freeware? Doesn't even look like good software. Is it your program? It doesn't even mention or show a mac version.



    Stick with Time Machine. And there are decent Mac backup programs if you wanted another one, but I think that is overkill. I just manually transferred by stuff. If you want to connect your Macs, search the Apple site or others, it has been discussed in detail.



    But I wouldn't install this Moleskin program, something doesn't seem right about it.
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  • Reply 8 of 10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Blascock View Post


    Hmm ok. I was planning on transferring my music, documents, picts. then reinstalling the apps I want. Can I simply connect my new mac through a usb cord? whats the best way to easily transfer the files?



    I was planning on transferring the files to my external then to the new one.



    I'm not sure how Target Disk Mode works on Macs without Firewire. I think it works through the ethernet port now. In any case, might as well copy it over an external drive since it'll give you an extra form of backup for the transition. You just lose some time but you gain a lot of safety.
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  • Reply 9 of 10
    backtomacbacktomac Posts: 4,579member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by admactanium View Post


    I'm not sure how Target Disk Mode works on Macs without Firewire. I think it works through the ethernet port now. In any case, might as well copy it over an external drive since it'll give you an extra form of backup for the transition. You just lose some time but you gain a lot of safety.



    Totally off topic Admactanium, but did you design the new icon for 'Now Playing' for the iphone? Actually I like the old one better.
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  • Reply 10 of 10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by backtomac View Post


    Totally off topic Admactanium, but did you design the new icon for 'Now Playing' for the iphone? Actually I like the old one better.



    Haha. No I didn't do the new one. I did the original one that was shaped like a movie ticket. Cyrus redid it when he wanted to release it for Android because I guess they don't allow words on their icons for easy internationalization. How did you know that was me?



    It was pretty funny. When he first changed it away from the ticket icon with words to the ticket icon with the film reel he started getting a lot of e-mail about how much people didn't like the new icon. He said he's gotten a lot of negative mail on the new icon. I didn't really have the time to make a new one for him and honestly I got a little stumped on it when he asked me anyway. I really liked the ticket icon as well and I had a hard time coming up with something that I thought would be better.
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