What's the best way to transfer an old 15" MacBook Pro to a new MacBook?

Question

Hello.
My client will be buying a new MacBook soon (don't know which model yet) from his university. We are currently researching and planning ahead to minimize problems and prepare. I noticed there are multiple ways to transfer data from his old 15" MacBook Pro to the new one. What's the best and fastest way?
We only need to (manually?) copy data (lots of documents, photographs/photos., etc.) and not the programs (better to start clean!). Also, will old Mac Office 2008 work in the latest Mac OS X version (assuming it comes with it or maybe 10.7.x) or will he need to buy a new one? He also uses an iPhone 4S and iPod Touch (music mostly).
Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Kappy wrote:
How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from another Mac
If you only need to transfer files then connect the two via Firewire cable and use Target Disk Mode to access the old computer's hard drive from which you can select and copy the data you need.
Office 2008 will work, but it would be better to upgrade it to Office 2011. If you want a seamless changeover with respect to the iDevices, then you need to transfer the entire /Home/Library/Music/iTunes/, /Home/Library/Music/iTunes Playlists/, /Home/Library/Music/imm Media/ folders to the /Music/ folder of the new computer. Also copy over the /Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.itunes.plist file to the /Home/Library Preferences/ folder on the new computer.
Be sure you de-authorize the old computer: iTunes Store- About authorization and deauthorization. Be sure to do this before any of the above is done.
Firewire, we don't have any of those cables and devices unless the new MacBook comes with it? It's all USB(2). Can we use USB (yes, it is slower)?  He use it for digital cameras, Time Machine backups in Mac OS X 10.5.8, etc.
OK, I will tell my client to get a new Office 2011 then to avoid the mess. Hmm, can't we just synchronize our iDevices with iTunes to copy back to the new MacBook's new HDD?