Best way to transfer old Macbook to new Macbook, both with two hard drives?

I am waiting for the new Macbook Pro's to come out, and I'm planning to upgrade my original 13in MBP. When I bought that MBP, I simply used Time Machine to copy my old Macbook to the new one. It work well.
But I've since replaced the hard drive with a solid state drive that houses the application and OS, plus some working files (photos), and I removed the optical drive and installed a large harddrive where I keep the user files.
I'm planning to order the new Macbook Pro with a larger SSD, and then replace the optical drive with a bigger hard drive, probably the one I currently have in my MBP.
What will be the best practice to transfer everything over. I want to keep most of what was on my old machine, inlcuding preferences, etc — but I also don't want years and years of junk transfered over. I've gone from Leopard to Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion, and so probably some junk from there as well, and I'm hoping that Mavericks will come with the new MBP.
Thanks for the help!

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.

Similar Messages

  • What Is The Best Way To Transfer Music Files to New MacBook

    Just got my new MacBook. So far, love it. Now, I need to transfer all the music files from my iTuns on my old PC to the MacBook. I have all the files backed up on a network drive, that the MacBook can access no problem Should I try to manually copy all the files the Mac hard drive, or can I use the "consolidate" feature in iTunes?? I'm not sure what that does, actually. I want to avoid having to manually File/Add to Library over 1000 songs!
    Any help appreciated!

    Unless you've changed the automatic copy option in the Advanced settings of the iTunes preferences, just drag the files into the open iTunes window.
    (31197)

  • Best way to transfer old files to new computer!!!

    Bought a new macbookpro. I have it setup and loaded my FCP and Logic Studio on it. Now I want to transfer my documents, itunes, address book and things over to the new computer. What's the best way to do this?
    Thanks
    RD

    Have you tried Migration Assistant in the Utilities folder?

  • Best way to transfer info. to a new account.

    What is the best way to transfer information to a new account. I'm mostly talking about the home folder. Is the best way to just burn a disc and move them? Just let me know.

    But are you moving from one machine to another machine?
    Folders You Can Move to Your new Mac
    From the Home folder copy the contents of Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites.
    In your /Home/Library/ folder:
    /Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
    /Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
    Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
    /Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
    /Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
    /Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder)
    /Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
    /Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
    If you want cookies:
    /Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
    /Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
    For Entourage users:
    Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
    Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
    For FireFox:
    /Home/Library/Applications Support/FireFox
    /Home/Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox.plist
    Credit goes to another forum user for this information.

  • I have 21,000  photos stored in iphoto. I have a WD 1.5TB backup external hard drive.  What is the best way to erase about half of my photos on my internal hard drive?

    I have 21,000  photos stored in iphoto. I have a WD 1.5TB backup external hard drive.  What is the best way to erase about half of my photos on my internal hard drive?

    Here's one way to do what you want:
    Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    1. Quit iPhoto
    2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
    Now you have two full versions of the Library.
    3. On the Internal library, trash the Events you don't want there
    Now you have a full copy of the Library on the External and a smaller subset on the Internal
    Some Notes:
    As a general rule: when deleting photos do them in batches of about 100 at a time. iPhoto can baulk at trashing large numbers at one go.
    You can choose which Library to open: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
    You can keep the Library on the external updated with new imports using iPhoto Library Manager

  • Have a new PC desktop with 4 hard drives, new c, d and old c, d, My ipad library is in old c, how to get my itune open the right drive, it keeps on open in new c drive.

    Have a new PC desktop with 4 hard drives, new c, d and old c, d, My ipad library is in old c, how to get my itune open the right drive, it keeps on open in new c drive. It said my computer is not authorized. I want to move all the old c to the new c drive, or get the itune to open my old c drive when I log in.

    might be some help on one of these links.
    Windows - Change iPad default backup location
    http://apple-ipad-tablet-help.blogspot.com/2010/07/change-ipad-default-backup-lo cation.html
    Windows - Changing IPhone and iPad backup location
    http://goodstuff2share.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/changing-iphone-and-ipad-backup- location/
    Sync Your iOS Device with a New Computer Without Losing Data
    http://www.howtogeek.com/104298/sync-your-ios-device-with-a-new-computer-without -losing-data/
    Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141
     Cheers, Tom

  • HT4796 any idea how long it takes for migrate process. Is it the best way to transfer old computer files to your mac?

    Any idea how long it takes for migrate process to complete. Is it the best way to transfer file from your pc to mac?

    If you are using Migration Assistant with a WiFi connection expect 12+ hours, 24 hours is possible.
    If you are using hardwired network connections expect 4 to 8 hours.

  • New Mac Mini Server, two Hard drives, Can I install an older Mac OS on the second drive and switch start up disks to run PowerPc applications?

    New Mac Mini Server, has two Hard drives, could I install an older Mac OS on the second drive and switch start up disks to run PowerPc applications?

    I haven't purchased a Mac Mini at this time and I may not if I can't use it as a non server. I need to update my system I would be better off buying a new Mac with Snow Leopard the last app that will run Rosetta. The Mac Mini Server has a quad 2.0 processor and 4 GB RAM and two internal hard drives and should out perform my dual 1.25 G4. I can run PPC apps on my G4 but it is 8+ years old and seems to be getting noisy. I don't want to tie myself to another old machine. I want a machine that will work with Intel Apps I was hoping that the two hard drives would allow me to boot from the second with Snow Leopard and use Lion on the first drive to be able to keep up to date with all my other universal apps and Mac OS up grades. The application I use the most is my CanvasX app with drawing & vector effects, text & typography, sprite technology, painting, image editing, and multimedia tools are all in this one app but will not be updated to run Intel apps. I am frozen in time because my most valuable Application won't be updated and Apple has cut me off by not supporting PPC in Lion and onward; Apple used to backward support but I guess that they are no longer as user friendly and concerned with a happy user. I have always been a loyal Mac user and I will not migrate to Windows under any circumstance; I hate windows!
    Thanks for your prompt response,
    Dick Deaton

  • Best Way to Set Up iPhone on New MacBook

    I just purchased a brand new black MacBook!!!
    What is the best way to get my iPhone and all it's info on my new Mac?
    I currently have everything in my iTunes on a PC laptop.
    TIA

    Welcome to a new world. There will be a learning curve with some aspects but once you get past this you probably won't look back. One thing is not having constant virus, adware and spyware concerns which is a big one. When Apple came out with iWork 08 which includes Pages (word processor that is compatible with Word), Numbers (which is compatible with Excel) and Keynote (which is compatible with PowerPoint) with all three being compatible in both directions - you can save documents with all 3 to be compatible with their Windows counterparts, I've been completely Microsoft free since that time.
    I always tell my long suffering Windows using friends about the differences but what sums it up is this. I've always used a Windows PC at work and I get my work done but not once have I ever looked forward to turning on a Windows PC for anything. I always look forward to turning on my Mac even when work related and you will probably experience the same. You will really like iLife - using iPhoto to store all digital photos which is similar to iTunes for digital photos and with GarageBand you will be able to easily create your own custom ringtones with non-DRM protected music which an option to store the finished product in your iTunes library automatically as an available ringtone to be transferred to your iPhone.
    I think you will be very happy and satisfied with your decision and you won't need to be buying a new computer every 2-3 years or so unless you want to. I have a TiBook that I purchased in the spring of 2001 that is still going strong. I'm unable to install Leopard on this Mac but it is running Tiger without missing a beat.

  • How do I transfer old emails to new macbook

    I'm trying to transfer my emails from my old macbook (os x 10.5.8, mail 3.6) to my new macbook (os x 10.8.2, mail 6.2 ).  I copied my mailboxes from the library on my old computer to the library on the new one.  The emails are there when I look them up using the Finder,  but they don't show up when I open mail. What am I missing?

    If your iPod is set to update automatically you just need take care when connecting back to your new computer and an empty iTunes. When you get the a message that your iPod is linked to a different library and asking if you want to link to this one and replace all your songs etc, press *No* (or "Cancel" if you are using iTunes 7). Pressing "Yes" (or Erase and Sync in iTunes 7) will irretrievably remove all songs from your iPod. Your iPod should appear in the iTunes source list from where you can change the update setting to manual and use your iPod without the risk of accidentally erasing it. In iTunes 7 Check the "manually manage music and videos" box in Summary then press the Apply button. Don't uncheck Sync Music it will be unchecked by default when you choose the manual setting: Managing content manually on iPod
    Changing to manual update will also enable your iPod for disk use and you need this option on to use Yamipod. Keep your iPod in manual mode until you have reloaded your iTunes and you are happy with your playlists etc then it will be safe to return it auto-sync again.

  • I'm trying to transfer my iTunes library from my old Windows-based Acer to my new MacBook Pro. The Acer has two hard drives, and I've had to split my music between the two drives in order to hold it all.

    Neither drive has enough room to consolidate the entire library.  And over time (for reasons I just chalk up to the Acer being a bad computer), I've inadvertently created multiple "libraries".  After everything went missing somehow a couple of years ago, I had to import a previous library called "Previous iTunes Library," and my library has annoyingly enough been called that ever since.  What's the best way to make all this get fixed into a new complete library on my new Mac?  I have an external hard drive, and if I cleared everything else off of it, it might be able to store the entire consolidated library.  Would that work?

    It sounds like the library might have been placed in your Home/Library folder which is invisible.
    NOTE: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Home/Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and press the Return key - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.
    For  Mavericks, 10.9,  go to your Home folder and use the View ➙ Show View Options menu to bring the this window:
    When you find the iPhoto library move it to your Pictures folder.
    OT

  • Best way to connect a macmini and new macbook air to one monitor?

    I have an older macmini connected to a 17 inch Sony monitor and I would like to connect my brand new macbook air 11" to the same monitor so that I can switch between the two and easily disconnect the air when I need to take it with me. Can anybody give me a good solution. I might be open to buying a new monitor if I have too. Thanks in advance for your help.
    Steve

    Hi doxozo,
    You'll need to invest in a KVM switch that supports video. What sort of connection(s) are you using? DVI? You can get a decent KVM switch that support video for about $55-75.

  • Best way to move itunes library to new macbook pro

    Would like to move my library to my new macbook pro, and have both computers have the library. What do you suggest to do this task?

    I have previously backed-up to disk in iTunes, authorized the new computer to play my music, and restored to it - takes all play count, ratings etc across which I wanted too. This was between PCs but sure it will work on Mac too.
    Anyone who has switched from PC to Mac - can you use a backup created on a PC to restore to a Mac - I'm switching to a MacBook Pro and want to keep my music!
    Thanks in advance!

  • What is the best way to transfer PDF files from my MacBook Air to my iPad2?

    I have updated both OS and trying to find an easy way to transfer pdf files to my iPad.  I have PDF expert on my iPad.

    easy
    install acrobat reader on your Ipad
    attach Ipad to your MAC with USB cable
    open Applications ON you Ipad thru ITUNES
    there is a BOX for Acrobat,..........drag and drop PDF from your MAC into that box of Acrobat for Ipad

  • Is there a way to transfer photos from a mini ipad to an external hard drive?

    I'm looking to back up my photos and was thinking of getting an external hard drive, is there a way to transfer from mini ipad to an external hard drive? Or... Is there a better/simpler way of backing photos up? Thanks!

    It's a great idea to back up your photos. Connect your iPad to the computer you normally sync with. Instead of starting iTunes start the image capture software you use with your camera. That software will allow you to copy photos taken with your iPad or copied using the Camera Connection Kit or copied from websites or emails to your computer.
    Once on your computer you can back them up to an external hard drive. Having your photos in more than one location is also a good idea.

Maybe you are looking for