Transfer all data from MacBook to new MacBook Pro

Question

Hi,
I am currently using a 13 inch Macbook purchased in 2007. The system has since been upgraded and it is now version 10.6.8.
I have also ordered and received a Macbook Pro (arrived yesterday!). The box has not been opened yet. My intention is to move everything (applications, data, etc.) from my old Macbook to this brand new one, so that the transition is absolutely seamless (without me having to install new software, for example).
I have been using the Time Machine to reguarly backup the data of my old Macbook.
Not being computer-savvy, I have the following couple of questions and would very much appreciate your advice:
1. (While I have not figured out how to do it) Is using Time Machine to 'transfer' data the best way in terms of being able to acheive a seamless transition?
2. I have a feeling that it is better to do the 'transfer' right from the beginning, when I first start up the new MacBook Pro, rather than beginning to use the Mac Pro now and then do the transfer. Am I right in this? (I have been kept from starting up my MacBook Pro for this precise reason).
3. Would there be a conflict in terms of the difference in the version of the OSX in the 'transfer' process? My old Macbook is 10.6.8. I don't know what the version of the newly arrived MacBook Pro is. Suppose the MacBook Pro is a more 'advanced' version – would this difference block/affect my attempt to do the transfer? And relatedly, even if transfer were possible, would I suffer any loss in functionality of the MacBook Pro in this process?
Thank you for your help and patience!

Answer 1

yinsdianao wrote:
My intention is to move everything (applications, data, etc.) from my old Macbook to this brand new one, so that the transition is absolutely seamless (without me having to install new software, for example).
10.7 won't run your Rosetta based software and third party hardware drivers.
You can use this site to determine what will/will not work.
http://roaringapps.com/apps:table
IMO a new machine should get all new versions or copies of software.
Why import all the crap with Setup/Migration Assistant and possibly gunk up your machine? slow it down? have to delete stuff manually as their is no uninstaller for 10.7?
You CAN transfer the license provided you work with the developer and remove the other copy from the older machine. Contact the dev and get a new license key, they will likely want to keep you as a customer and assist.
However 10.7 is a all 64 bit OS, so a lot of third party software pehaps will require new upgraded versions than what you have on the 10.6 machine.
I have been using the Time Machine to reguarly backup the data of my old Macbook.
Good don't connect it to the new Mac or else it won't work to restore the old one.
As the 10.7 TM will then add IT's changes. Use a new drive to TM the 10.7 machine.
1. (While I have not figured out how to do it) Is using Time Machine to 'transfer' data the best way in terms of being able to acheive a seamless transition?
Don't use Time Machine, leave that for only connecting to the older Mac, that's your backup for THAT machine, use a new drive for TM to the newer Mac for now or go without until this machine checks out.
Use Firewire Target Disk Mode instead to the older Mac.
Log into the new Mac and set it up with the same user name as on the old Mac.
Install all your 10.7 compatible programs first from fresh sources so they run faster longer. (user files should be the last thing installed on any new machine as they clog up a hard drive's speed)
Use a Firewire cable (and a 800 to 400 adapter if needed) to connect the old Mac to the new Mac, then hold T boot the old Mac, the old Mac's hard drive will appear on the Desktop of the new Mac.
Now you can simply drag and drop copy to your hearts content of any files you wish to keep on the new machine and leave the rest on the old machine.
Since you used the same user name, the files will work like iTunes playlists (you can change permisisons on them with Get Info if not)
You can choose to use Setup/Migration Assistant with a Mac in Firewire Target Disk mode, but I don't advise using either unless you have a really clean machine free of unwanted data or glitches.
2. I have a feeling that it is better to do the 'transfer' right from the beginning, when I first start up the new MacBook Pro, rather than beginning to use the Mac Pro now and then do the transfer. Am I right in this? (I have been kept from starting up my MacBook Pro for this precise reason).
That's called Setup Assistant, later you can run Migration Assistant, but it creates another user in the process.
Both are not exactly perfect and don't provide a clean system, drag the old machines issues with them sometimes. However if your old machine is rather pristine, then fine. Most people's machines are messed up and a lot don't know it.
3. Would there be a conflict in terms of the difference in the version of the OSX in the 'transfer' process? My old Macbook is 10.6.8. I don't know what the version of the newly arrived MacBook Pro is. Suppose the MacBook Pro is a more 'advanced' version – would this difference block/affect my attempt to do the transfer?
New Mac's come with 10.7, it possibly won't run a lot of your pre-existing 10.5 or 10.6 software.
And relatedly, even if transfer were possible, would I suffer any loss in functionality of the MacBook Pro in this process?
Yes, there is a possibility that if your old Mac is messed up slightly that those problems (as well as incompatible programs) can cause issues or slowdown behavior on the new Mac.
If this occurs then you'll have to wipe the whole mess, download Lion from Apple's severs (fast internet) and start all over again doing it manually.
IMO you should find out first all the 10.7 programs you need, and then install clean 10.7 versions of those programs from  original sources rather than import crap and have to go about removing stuff that won't work or risk a hosed machine.
Automation is nice, but it has it's drawbacks, it's stupid. If you have a very clean system, not a whole lot of other junk, system tweaks and gizmos running, then automation should be fine.