Best way to transfer files from PC to Mac

Hello there,
I am FINALLY able to buy a Mac and am looking at an iBook. I have a PC laptop and would like to learn more about the quickest and easiest way to move files from the PC to Mac. Any ideas? Thanks!

You would probably find this page helpful:
http://www.apple.com/switch/howto/

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Best way to transfer files from old Macbook Pro to new one?

I just got a new Macbook Pro from Apple...YEEEEAAAHHHH!
So....
What's the best way to transfer files from old Macbook Pro to new one? I know Migration assistant, but is there a recommended way? I don't want to put do a system restore or transfer everything from the old laptop, but I do want to move important things like photos, music, documents and such over. Any suggestions on best way to do this?
Another question, perhaps subquestion. If I have, say, an older version of iPhoto but a newer version of one on my new Macbook Pro, will it still transfer photos no problem?
Just looking for hints from the experts so this puppy is set up in the best way possible.

Just one comment on this:
‘If I have, say, an older version of iPhoto but a newer version of one on my new Macbook Pro, will it still transfer photos no problem?’
the problems are ALWAYS in the reverse way, when you have the newest (or a newer) version of a given app, and wish to transfer its library to an older version.
Otherwise, see the link to Pondini.
I have been using Martin Jahn’s iBackup, with which I have become accustomed and works fine. It also makes daily backups. Its advantage over other apps is that you may add whatever you wish to save, beside its default settings (which you may delete or cancel, of course, even if not recommended); it also has a friendly interface and easily customizable. Of course, this is a personal view, you may try other methods as well, or other backup apps. All are good if you are satisfied and correspond to your needs.

What is the best way to transfer files from a Power PC G4 that has NO power? Thanks.

What is the best way to transfer files from a Power PC G4 that has NO power? I have a newer iMac. Thanks.

Remove the hard drive and get one of these USB hard drive adapters. http://tinyurl.com/a5l2htj Then plug the adapter into your iMac to see/retrieve the files.
 Cheers, Tom

What is the best way to transfer files from Windows XP to a new MacBook Pro?

I am about to make the switch from PC to Mac, but I am not completely sure how I should transfer all of my old files (Word docs, PowerPoints, Excel Sheets, pictures, etc.) over to the new Mac. I read this article, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4796, and it said to download Windows Migration Assistant. It says that a new user account will be created on the Mac containing all of the transferred material. I assume that I can just pull stuff from the newly created account and put it on the main or administrative account? Also, I assume that I can delete the created account after I get everything that I want off of it, but I am new to the whole Mac thing and assuming never gets anyone anywhere. One more thing, I do not want to transfer over my email accounts from Outlook because there is some kind of problem with the way they are set up. I want to just start them completely over in Mail. The article says that the program will automatically transfer over email accounts. Is there a way to avoid that or just transfer stuff manually? If anyone has transferred files this way before, I would really appreciate any insight you can give me. Thanks!

Best way would be NOT to use any sort of migration program, just copy the files over and place them in the same Music, Pictures, Documents folders on the Mac like it is on Windows.
All you need a external USB drive you can pick up at any office or computer store, I would advise powered and either the same size or larger (not too big) than your boot drive on the Mac. So later you can make a clone of OS X, as there is NO system restore on a Mac.
Most drives are formatted MBR with a FAT32 (named "MSDOS" in Apple's Disk Utility) and can be read on a Mac just as easily.
If for some reason your external drive has been already formatted by Windows into NTFS format, then a Mac can't read it without paying for more software and having to hassle with updates, it not working etc. So format the external drive FAT (FAT32) or even exFAT on the PC first (exFAT needs a free download from Microsoft on XP machines)
When you connect the drive, simply drag and drop your files right into the same folders, this way you can control what comes over and what stays.
If you want a free program that can open your Office files without having to pay for OfficeMac, then the free LibreOffice is available and works great.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16276201#16276201

What's the best way to transfer files from dead MDD G4 PowerMac to new iMac desktop?

My Mirrored Drive Door 1 ghz G4 Power Mac recently stopped powering on. I have just purchased a new iMac with 2.5 ghz intel core i5. What is the best way for me to transfer the files to the new machine?
Someone on another thread recommended buying a converter cable like this one: http://www.newertech.com/products/usb2_adaptv2.php
Will I need to use transfer software too? I'd like to bring my playlists along to the new machine but don't need any of the software.
Thanks!

That will work. You could also remove the hard drive from the MDD and put it in an external enclosure so you would have it for backup.
You can use the utility, Carbon Copy Cloner, to transfer files - MacUpdate or CNET Downloads.

Best way to transfer files from a MacBook Pro with 10.9, to an iMac with 10.8, Best way to transfer files from a MacBook Pro with 10.9, to an iMac with 10.8, Best way to transfer files from a MacBook Pro with 10.9, to an iMac with 10.8

I have recently upgraded my MacBook Pro to 10.9.
I also used it to save a copy of files from my iMac that was being serviced (sytem reinstall).
I now want to transfer files back from my Macbook(10.9) to my iMac which was loaded with 10.8.5.
But they do not recognise each othert in the Mirgation Assistant program when they get to the looking for another computer segment.
Is there a simple workaround?
Or am I missing or misunderstanding something?

Reverse migration of data (from a newer system to an older one) isn't supported. You'll have to copy the files manually, and some, such as your Mail database, may be incompatible.

What is the best way to transfer info from a 2007 mac to a new mac?

How do I transfer my stuff from the 2007 Mac to a newly purchased iMac?

See Pondini's Excellent information here...
Setting-up a new Mac from an old one, its backups, or a PC

What is best way to transfer files from an older imac to a new one?

I have time machine on old intel imac. I have 700gb used on old and don't want to transfer everything (trying to use this "set up" process to also keep old unused stuff from transferring to the new imac). I can use firewire to transfer. I have read the Apple support article on migration but I'm not clear on the ability to drag and drop only what I want to transfer. Thanks

Thanks. Wonder if you can advise further:
As I noted, when I get around to starting this transfer next week, I want to carefully move files to the new imac almost "one at a time" or groups of files at a time (not literally.) Reason: 1. in order not to move some old files that I don't want on the new mac, but I'm reluctant to delete from old mac yet. And 2. I'm fairly certain there is a corrupted file somewhere in the old mac. This is Apple Store Genius bar tech's conclusion after several visits and attempte over the last 6 months to do iphone 4 OS updates on this old mac which resulted in failure to update - received error "device not eligible for rebuild." I was eventually able to perform the updates on my iphone 4 using my wife's newer Macbook, which she and my son use for their iphone 4s and with which they never encountered the same failure. And yes, the latest ios5 update also failed on the old imac(again did the update using the macbook.
(BTW, I did the update using the macbook, then return to the old imac to restore my iphone using the itunes on it.)
Also, FYI - this old imac is not a core 2 duo so it won't accept Lion.
So that was a long way of saying I don't want to chance moving a corrupted file to the new imac.
Therefore, can you direct me to instructions that would direct me to, as example, move this first, then this, then this, and so on.
I have several users on this old mac, although my user has the most files, many iphoto and imovie files and it is critical that my user files are moved successfully.
Also, I use time machine to back up on an external HD, and I use Carbonite too.
Any advise appreciated.

What is best way to transfer files from my g5 to my macbook

I'm giving my G5 away and need to remove email accounts from G5. I thought I'd done it last night but it turns out I'd deleted all emails from G5 therefore Cloud, Mobile Me and iphone. I bought the G5 first and that pushes to Mobile Me and MacBook. So when I delete on G5 it deletes from MacBook but not the other way around. I need to make MacBook my only machine. I used sharing to export itunes so have transferred all tunes. Now need to resolve the email issue and transfer documents if possible. I'm guessing that once I've done that I run a disk which resets the G5 to zero. Plus, the keyboard on my macbook is playing up, the return and shify keys do not work so I can't do question marks, exclamation marks etc. I've checked the language settings and key stick rate etc and all is as it should be according to Mac online support. Any suggestions

Michael
Simply copy the iPhoto Library Folder from Home/Pictures to the same location on the MacBook. If you want to view the pics you'll have to correct the permissions on them. To do this Download BatchMod from
http://macchampion.com/arbysoft/
And apply it to the iPhoto Library Folder using the settings found here:
http://homepage.mac.com/toad.hall/.Pictures/Forum/BatChmod.png
(Credit to Old Toad for this one).
Use the User name from the MacBook, obviously... and if you restore them at a later point to the G5, you'll have to reverse the process.
As for a monthly back up - repeat the process.
When you say you got Duplicates, was this in the Finder? This is normal and to do with how iPhoto is organised.: A Note about the iPhoto Library Folder:
In this folder there are various files, which are the Library itself and some ancillary files. Then you have three folders
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner.
(ii) Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
This allows the Photos -> Revert to Original command - very useful if you don't like the changes you've made.
(iii) Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
Regards
TD

Best way to transfer files from old HD to new?

Apple recently replaced my dying HD with a new one and I have an account on it with basic files and apps running. I have been able to drag and copy home, Applications, net, System, Library, and my user & shared folders to the new desktop from the old HD. (Fun fact: old HD was apparently dying from overheating: wasn't working well in the enclosure I bought until I parked it on top of a freezer pack. Worked flawlessly after that.)
So...now I have the old bootable HD in an enclosure, critical folders of files and apps on my desktop, and time machine busily making archives of said folders. How to best rebuild my new account with all the old stuff: migration assistant, setup assistant, or judicious dragging and dropping? I also have DiskWarrior.
Old and new HD were standard 250 GB, with the old HD about 15% full; time machine is a firewire 500 GB solid-state drive (SSD?)

It depends on the size and type of HD you have: each has it's own "standard" enclosure. The iMac 250 GB drive is a 3.5" SATA HD; I bought an Inland model 8419 USB 2.0 enclosure, good for either 2.5" or 3.5" HDs. I found my model by searching online for "3.5 SATA HD enclosures": there were several brands that had good recommendations. I'm withholding recommending mine until I have completed recovering my old HD, and get some more operating instructions from inlandus.com. But I will say that the enclosure fit perfectly, with no screws loose.
What was the defunct computer, and what are the specs on the HD? It is also possible to get enclosure-less hookups: you can try http://eshop.macsales.com/search/universal+drive+adapter (thanks to Eric Ross)
-John

What's the easiest way to transfer files from an old Mac to a new one?

Alright, when I originally purchased my Macbook Pro in 2006 - I had no intentions on replacing for many, many years to come. However, purchased the 17", to have more screen space for design, and that career sort of fell through. I don't have a need for such a large display, and it gets very heavy when carrying it around. I've recently decided to opt for the 13" Macbook. Now my question is, what is the easiest, fastest, and safest was to transfer the files that I do want, from the old to the new? I considered buying an external hard-drive? And for that matter, once I do get everything transferred - does Mac offer anything where I can basically set the old on back to factory defaults?
Help is much appreciated.

In addition..........
If you have a High-speed connection, the easiest & fastest way is through AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) or any IM that has file transfers.
iChat has the same ability of transferring large files as AIM.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=150934
Adium has file transfers.
Yahoo Messenger has file transfers.
Both computers must use the same IM program for file transfers.

Best Way to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Mac

Okay, here's my situation.
I installed Snow Leopard and the installation window told me I had to change my volume scheme. Not knowing why the button to allow me to do this was grayed out, I called Apple. The woman I talked to had me boot from the Snow Leopard disc and perform that action. It worked, but what she had be do seemed to delete my hard drive. Because what did say "Macintosh HD" now said "Untitled 1".
I finished the installation and came to find out that hard drive files were gone.
Of course Apple can't be blamed, because I should've had my computer backed up. (Ehh. I'm still very angry though..)
Anyways, I found a nice program to transfer the music from my iPhone to my Mac, but not one single reliable to one to transfer photos.
HELP! I really need to get these photos (amount: 2,000+) on my computer so I can sync it.

I assume these photos are NOT in your camera roll, correct?
If that's the case:
http://www.wideanglesoftware.com/touchcopy/
Of course you realize that the photos you synced to your phone were "optimized" for viewing on the iphone & thus were reduced in size.

What is best method to transfer files from PC?, What is best method to transfer files from PC?

I am a new Mac Mini user. I am not close to a Apple store so I did not get the one to one service. I'm looking for the best way to transfer files from my PC to my Mac Mini. I mainly have Word documents, photos and music, as well as contacts.
Thanks for any advice.

Try http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4796
Allan

Whats the best way to transfer everything from my old macbook pro to a new mac mini, i have a external hard drive which i backup to regularly via time capsule

whats the best way to transfer everything from my old macbook pro to a new mac mini, i have a external hard drive which i backup to regularly via time capsule

Check out > OS X Lion: How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from another Mac

What is the best way to transfer photos from old laptop to new laptop?

What is the best way to transfer photos from old Macbook Pro to new Macbook Pro?

If you only need to transfer photos, connect the two Macs to the same network. Enable file sharing on both, and copy the iPhoto folder from your old Mac to the new one. Put it in your Pictures folder. This assumes you have no photos on your new MacBook Pro you wish to keep. If you do then let me know.
The first time you launch the new version of iPhoto with a Library created by an older version, it will most likely want to "upgrade your iPhoto Library". This is normal.

Best way to transfer files from PC to Mac

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