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User profile for user: sfrench
sfrench Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

USB, then and now

I have two very old laptops — a PowerBook G4 12” (early 2003) running Tiger 10.4.11 and a MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008) running Lion 10.7.5 — from which I'd like to save some files and then prepare both for e-recycling.


Would moving the files to a USB desktop hard drive be the simplest way to save them for posterity?


If so, would the USB on a new external drive be compatible with the USB on these old laptops? I think the PowerBook has two USB 1.1 ports. I haven't been able to find the specs for the MacBook.


All insights appreciated.



MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.3

Posted on Apr 15, 2023 4:06 PM

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User profile for user: Jeff
Jeff
User level: Level 6
12,088 points

Posted on Apr 15, 2023 10:39 PM

Both the PowerBook G4 and MacBook have USB 2.0 ports, so you can use a thumb drive or external hard drive for backup. Although most of the devices sold today are designed for the faster speeds of USB 3.x, they will have backward-compatibility for USB 2.0. After retrieving your personal files, you could reformat the hard drives with a security wipe to prevent someone from accessing them (even if deleted) at the facility that e-cycles the laptops. In terms of time, it would likely be faster if you removed the hard drives from the laptops and eliminated any future concerns about that.

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User profile for user: Jeff
Jeff
User level: Level 6
12,088 points

Apr 15, 2023 10:39 PM in response to sfrench

Both the PowerBook G4 and MacBook have USB 2.0 ports, so you can use a thumb drive or external hard drive for backup. Although most of the devices sold today are designed for the faster speeds of USB 3.x, they will have backward-compatibility for USB 2.0. After retrieving your personal files, you could reformat the hard drives with a security wipe to prevent someone from accessing them (even if deleted) at the facility that e-cycles the laptops. In terms of time, it would likely be faster if you removed the hard drives from the laptops and eliminated any future concerns about that.

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User profile for user: sfrench
sfrench Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Apr 20, 2023 11:39 AM in response to sfrench

I’ve been wondering whether I could skip having to buy an external hard drive and could instead transfer files manually from each of my old laptops directly to my current MacBook Air (M1 2020).


But I wanted to check here before doing anything foolhardy.


I have a LENTION USB C Multiport Hub with 4K HDMI, 3 USB 3.0, SD/Micro SD Card Reader, 100W PD Compatible 2023-2016 MacBook Pro, New Mac Air, Other Type C Devices, Stable Driver Adapter (CB-C36B, Silver).

 

Could I use this multiport hub and a USB-to-USB cable to connect the old laptops with my current MBA?


Do these instructions (Transfer files between a Mac with Apple silicon and another Mac) seem suitable and sufficient? Or is there more I need to know?

 

Thanks.

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USB, then and now

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