Transfer hard drive

Hi,
I have a 15" 2010 MacBook Pro with a 500GB 7200rpm hybrid drive (includes 4GB of SSD). My new 17" 2011 MacBook Pro will be coming in shortly with a 500GB 7200rpm standard HDD. Is there any way to just swap the drives and continue running? I know I'll likely be missing video card drives, etc. but is there no way to obtain them? I just went through a reformat about a month or 2 ago and it'd be a pain to have to install everything again. I know I could likely do the following:
1. Migrate data (personal files) over to new MBP (either manually or using migration assistant)
2. Clone new hardrive back over to the old hard drive
3. Put the old hard drive in the 17" MBP.
But this means I'll have to reinstall all software huh? Pain in my ...
Which programs can I NOT just drag over from the Applications folder? Or does Migration Assistant transfer software too?
That'd be really cool if anyone has answers or a better solution, let me know! Thanks in advance.

You could buy a 2.5" SATA USB external enclosure inexpensively at any computer store, Best Buy, Amazon, eBay, etc. Then put the old drive in it, connect it to the new system via USB and you have access to everything on the old HD. (This assumes you don't have a HD password on either drive.)
Cheers... Dorian Hausman
X1C2, TPT2, T430s, SL500, X61s, T60p, A21p, 770, 760ED... 5160, 5150... S360/30

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k-ci204 wrote:
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I think there's a lack of understanding somewhere.
"If you even can't start the process, please unplug it from your new PC. Then head back to your new computer and plug
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364

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Merry Christmas

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Getting a new Mac: need to transfer files/applications, have external hard drive, and wipe clean old Mac to give to family member

Getting a new Mac this Christmas. I have several questions:
1. How do I transfer files/applications from old to new?
2. I have an external hard drive, do I need to save iTunes account to it?
3. How do I wipe the old Mac clean to give to family member?

1. Use the Migration Assistant the first time you turn on the new computer.
2. No, but you should do so as a backup.
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I have adobe CS6 on my old hard drive and i wish to transfer it over to my new hard drive. I no longer have the disc which it came on. How do I do this? also i have only ever put a single copy on a laptop and it is alowed 2........if that matters.

I have adobe CS6 on my old hard drive and i wish to transfer it over to my new hard drive. I no longer have the disc which it came on. How do I do this? also i have only ever put a single copy on a laptop and it is alowed 2........if that matters.

deactivate (help>deactivate) on your old hd.
then install using the installation file(s) and your serial number.
Downloadable installation files available:
Suites and Programs: CC 2014 | CC | CS6 | CS5.5 | CS5 | CS4, CS4 Web Standard | CS3
Acrobat: XI, X | 9,8 | 9 standard
Premiere Elements: 13 |12 | 11, 10 | 9, 8, 7
Photoshop Elements: 13 |12 | 11, 10 | 9,8,7
Lightroom: 5.7.1| 5 | 4 | 3 | 2.7(win),2.7(mac)
Captivate: 8 | 7 | 6 | 5
Contribute: CS5 | CS4, CS3
Download and installation help for Adobe links
Download and installation help for Prodesigntools links are listed on most linked pages. They are critical; especially steps 1, 2 and 3. If you click a link that does not have those steps listed, open a second window using the Lightroom 3 link to see those 'Important Instructions'.
window using the Lightroom 3 link to see those 'Important Instructions'.

Transfer hard drive

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