User profile for user: finalcutofpiepro2
finalcutofpiepro2 Author
User level: Level 1
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Transition from really old iMac to a new Mac book pro

So I have a iMac 21.5 (late 2013). It's running Catalina 10.15.7.


I've realized for some time (ahem) that I need a new computer but life has been such that I put it off. I want to transition to a 13" Mac Book Pro. It looks like the procedure is not too challenging and I think I should be able to do it BUT I am a terrible computer house keeper and I have a lot of stuff on this computer which has it looks like 1 TB of storage and anything I buy will have less than that.


I know I just need to clean up old stuff (short answer). I realize that Apple would be glad to rent me a lot of Cloud storage so I could just do a junk transfer but this is just pushing off the problem.


Questions. Should I just put put photos, iTunes music on external drives? I really don't find Photos at least as imagined on my computer that user friendly for sorting and organizing. Any helpful solutions for photos?


My son set up my first MAC and portioned off a part of it so that I could have PC like portion of my computer, accessed through BootCamp This never was useful to me. Should I just wholesale delete it off of my computer; I surely do not want to take that structure with me. (Said son is deceased or I would ask him.)


Digital "hoarding" isn't as visible but it's still a problem.


Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.



iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 12, 2022 4:24 PM

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User profile for user: Ronasara
Ronasara
User level: Level 6
15,519 points

Posted on Aug 13, 2022 9:02 AM

Here are my suggestions for what they a worth.

  1. I would first delete the Boot Camp portion from the old computer.
  2. Take the time to delete any unneeded files from the old computer.
  3. Transfer the remaining photos to an external disk, then delete them from your old Mac's HD.
  4. Last, do the transfer using Migration Assistant.

Be sure to read and follow its instructions. Basically, the process is as follows.

You first begin by starting the process of setting up your new computer. You will be asked if you wish to transfer files. Respond YES and follow the instructions you will be given.

You will be told to turn both computers on and activate Migration Assistant in the old computer.

The computers should be connected with a USB cable to facilitate the transfer.  Wi-Fi is simply not suited for a transfer of so much data and corruption often results.  Do not use it. It can corrupt or lose data.

You will be given several options as to what to transfer. You will likely want to transfer your settings and preferences.

You can transfer all or none of your files. You do not have an option to select certain files to transfer. If you wish to do that, then do so manually.

The old computer's operating system will not be transferred. No data from the old computer is erased.

Allow for up to an hour for the transfer process to complete once you start it.

It should set up the new computer the same as the old one.

Enjoy your new Mac.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck.

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User profile for user: Ronasara
Ronasara
User level: Level 6
15,519 points

Aug 13, 2022 9:02 AM in response to finalcutofpiepro2

Here are my suggestions for what they a worth.

  1. I would first delete the Boot Camp portion from the old computer.
  2. Take the time to delete any unneeded files from the old computer.
  3. Transfer the remaining photos to an external disk, then delete them from your old Mac's HD.
  4. Last, do the transfer using Migration Assistant.

Be sure to read and follow its instructions. Basically, the process is as follows.

You first begin by starting the process of setting up your new computer. You will be asked if you wish to transfer files. Respond YES and follow the instructions you will be given.

You will be told to turn both computers on and activate Migration Assistant in the old computer.

The computers should be connected with a USB cable to facilitate the transfer.  Wi-Fi is simply not suited for a transfer of so much data and corruption often results.  Do not use it. It can corrupt or lose data.

You will be given several options as to what to transfer. You will likely want to transfer your settings and preferences.

You can transfer all or none of your files. You do not have an option to select certain files to transfer. If you wish to do that, then do so manually.

The old computer's operating system will not be transferred. No data from the old computer is erased.

Allow for up to an hour for the transfer process to complete once you start it.

It should set up the new computer the same as the old one.

Enjoy your new Mac.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck.

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Transition from really old iMac to a new Mac book pro

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