upgrading from 2012 MacBookPro 13" to MacBookAir 15" preparation?

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upgrading from 2012 MacBookPro 13" to MacBookAir 15" preparation?

I'm about to upgrade from old MacBookPro 2012 13" 512 upgraded to SSD maxed out on Catalina to a new MacBookAir 15". 8 gb, 512. They are on sale right now so need to get it soon.

I back it up using Time Machine. Using WD My Passport drive.

Other steps I should take before doing the upgrade? Besides making sure everything is updated to the latest versions.

To prepare apps or anything else? I need to finish up the final 2022 tax on H&R Block & print & save & save as PDF. I never want to use that again. But could not run TT on Catalina.

Also I'm a bit concerned about transferring it jumping so many OS levels. In the past, I had upgraded it maybe a couple of steps then more. Not sure what current OS that will be on the new machine.

I guess then I could transfer the data either by connecting the old to new mac or using the back up drive?

Its been so long since I have done this, I'm a bit fuzzy.

A little concerned about not having a CD/DVD drive but I guess I can get an external one, or transfer data & all to iTunes (if I can remember how to do that, lol).

Of course I will get Apple Care.

I also upgraded iPhone from 7 Plus to 14 a few months ago. It backs up to iCloud. & pics & other things are on both devices. & oh yeah. I should be able to again access Numbers docs that I had opened on iPhone & then can't open on Mac since opening it on iPhone updated it to newer version of Numbers that won't work on my Mac.

I prefer getting Apple devices at Apple Store but we only have 3 Apple stores in OR. So likely will get new mac from Best Buy. They & Costco both have them on sale for same price. Apple store doesn't.

I'm also a little nervous about the upgrade process. As I recall, it was mostly sit there while it does its thing, but there were a few decision points that were not always clear what the answer should be. So I would really like to do it, if I could sitting at Apple store, where I could ask for help if I got stuck on decision points or where it what to do next. The Apple store is about 25 miles away. But I will be over that way on Monday. So I guess, I could work on the upgrade over the weekend. Except I don't want to be stuck half way in between. Although I do most stuff on my iPhone anyway except for zoom & where I want the bigger screen.

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Nov 9, 2023 12:36 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 9, 2023 10:15 AM in response to KathiMR

I can offer the following suggestions:

Make sure you read and follow the directions in this Apple Support article: What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support
Do NOT use WiFi to migrate from your old Mac to your new one, it's too prone to glitches and failures. I recommend using your Time Machine backup external drive for migration. Migration Assistant will give you a choice to use your Time Machine backup.
I think you should call the Apple Store regarding the question of whether they'd be OK with you transferring everything with a Mac you purchased at Best Buy or Costco. Typically, the savings are $100 or less..and, to me, it might be worth it to you to spend the amount you save and instead purchase at the Apple Store.
Apple's Superdrive works fine with the current Mac lineups for your CD-ROM needs.
You'll likely need a USB-A<--> USB-C adaptor to connect the Superdrive (or Time Machine backup drive). This one is available from Apple: USB A to USB C Adaptor
Apple does run a Black Friday sale every year for online sales...might be worth waiting for that day to order? You didn't mention what apps you run...if photo/video editing is involved, I'd recommend bumping the RAM to 16GB, which you can do with your online order.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 2

Nov 9, 2023 5:38 PM in response to KathiMR

It shouldn't be a problem migrating between Catalina and Sonoma, as far as email, settings, photos, and documents. Apps will transfer, too (but note the next paragraph).

Non-Apple apps are something you might want to to check out beforehand. One thing I'd look at is Apple Menu-->About This Mac-->System Report. Select Applications in the left column, then look in the Kind column of the resultant listing. This column will let you know if the app is Intel, Apple Silicon, Universal, etc. An Intel app will run on an Apple Silicon Mac, but through the Rosetta translator. Universal apps will run on either Intel or Apple Silicon. What I did when I migrated from my 2016 MBP to my 2023 MBA was check this listing to know which apps may need to be updated. In some cases, the apps were fine (MS 365 apps were Universal, if I recall)...but in other cases I needed to replace the apps with updated Apple Silicon versions.

You might also want to check out cultofmac.com, as you'll often find discount codes from BH Photo, and their prices are normally below anyone else's sale prices. And they often offer upgraded models at sale prices.

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Answer 3

KathiMR Author

Level 1

37 points

Nov 9, 2023 3:56 PM in response to MacMikeInOK

Thanks. No I’m not running photo apps. I have 16 GB on this Mac but doesn’t look like I would need it.

Currently that MacabookAir 15” w 512 is $1249 at Costco & Best Buy. So that is $250 off Apple’s price.

of course also the fact that they just came out w M3 processor but not for MacBookAir yet possibly might affect prices.

thanks & I will see.

some of the concern is jumping so many OS versions. Not sure how many between Catalina & current. & I know previously I found older OS to update to before going further.

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upgrading from 2012 MacBookPro 13" to MacBookAir 15" preparation?

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