2014 G Drive with latest 512GB 24-inch iMac

Lauralena wrote:

Here are my questions:

1) Person at Mac store said that to connect this G Drive to new iMac, I will need TWO adapters. I need to connect G Drive to Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter, connect THAT to Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, and that plugs into new iMac. Is there an easier way?

No you do not need those expensive USB-C to TB 2 and TB 2 to FireWire adapters.

You just need to use the G-Drives USB 3.0 cable and a USB-C to USB 3.0 adapter.

Most any USB-C to USB 3.0 adapter will work to connect the G-Drives USB 3.0 cable to the new iMac's USB-C ports.

USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z768LCW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?

https://www.target.com/p/philips-usb-c-to-3-0-usb-a-female-adapter/-/A-79804275

2) Okay, so I connect this BEFORE I power on iMac for first time. Does that take me straight to Time Machine or to Migration Assistant, or do I need to pick one?

No just turn on the new iMac and start the initial setup. During the initial setup you be asked if you want to Migrate from your old iMac. Answer yes, connect the old iMac's G-Drive Time Machine backup to the new iMac and migrate from the Time Machine backup.

3) Will it give me the option whether to incorporate latest backup or ALL previous backups? I want the latter, because…

Migration during the initial setup will migrate everything that is on the old iMac's Time Machine backup.

4) …person at Apple persuaded me to buy a NEW G Drive:

SanDisk Professional 2TB G-Drive ArmorATD

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HPW32ZM/A/sandisk-professional-2tb-g-drive-armoratd™?cid=aos-us-seo-pla

So after migration I disconnect old G Drive, connect this new one (assume won’t need an adapter), and all backup from previous G Drive will go on this new one?

After Migration is complete and the new iMac is up and running, disconnect the old iMac's G-Drive backup.

Then connect the new G-Drive to the new iMac's and start using it for Time Machine backups.

Last: Do I need to download anything from the internet before I connect either of the G Drives? (As I will be connecting old G Drive before Inpower on for first time, that will be impossible). Or can I just connect them to the iMac?

No. If the macOS on the new iMac needs to be updated, you can do that after you migrate and setup the new Time Machine backup.

Thank you a zillion times in advance!

No problem.

Yes you should be able to return that G-Drive without any trouble.

Another excellent place to shop for reliable external desktop and portable drives is OWC.

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/external-storage#drive-configuration:single-bay-1-drive

OMG, you did a great job asking important questions. You're welcome. Enjoy the new iMac.