Best way to move data to a 2017 retina 4k iMac18,2 from a late 2009 iMac10,1 + method for backups going forward

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Best way to move data to a 2017 retina 4k iMac18,2 from a late 2009 iMac10,1 + method for backups going forward

Hi - I have a new-to-me Apple iMac "Core i5" 3.4 21.5" (4K, Mid-2017) iMac18,2 which, for ports, has 2 Thunderbolt 3 and 4 USB 3.0. The iMac I want to transfer data from is a late 2009 model iMac10,1 and it has 1 FireWire800 and 4 USB 2.0 ports. I also have a powered external hard drive with a time machine back up that also has FW800 and USB 2.0 ports and an eSATA port.

I'm leaning against the migration assistant route over WiFi based on some videos I've watch indicating the frequency of problems using that method. But I'm not sure what's the best alternative for my situation. I have a USB 2.0 cable that I could use to connect the two iMacs (or connect the new iMac to the external drive) but I dunno, would those methods take an eternity? (My current iMac has over 700GB of data -- mostly my iPhoto collection and music.) I don't see an adapter cable to go from FW800 to T3 but maybe there's a faster workaround? What are people's thoughts on using an iCloud back-up to manually do the transfer??

Then there's the back-up consideration going forward -- I'd rather not have to buy another new external drive right now -- but maybe that's inevitable. Hopefully the wisdom of this community can provide some guidance on my situation.

Other factoids: the new iMac has a 1 TB fusion drive and I'm running Ventura. Old iMac is running Mavericks.

Anyway, thanks!

Joe

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Nov 28, 2023 2:47 PM

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Answer 1

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Servant of Cats

Level 8

46,713 points

Nov 28, 2023 10:25 PM in response to Sigrid Murphy

Sigrid Murphy wrote:

Thanks. Okay, so that’s what I’m doing — using migration assistant to copy over my home directory, other files, and system files (unchecked the Applications box) from an external hard drive backup. Super slow going (~ 45 MB/s) but it looks like it should work. Only viable cable on hand is USB 2.0.

Still wondering if there is a cable adapter or combo of cables that could do this task faster by using the available FW800 or eSATA ports on the ext drive? Anyone know of such a cable? Going to either T3 or USB 3. Obviously I’ve googled and looked on Amazon but so far I don’t see anything that would work.

Apple TB3-to-2 adapter ($50) daisy-chained with Apple TB-to-FW800 adapter ($30) – an adapter that you can no longer find in the online U.S. Apple Store. Or daisy-chained with a 27" Thunderbolt Display (the old 2.5K one, which had a FW800 dock port), or an old third-party TB 1/2 dock that has a FireWire port. Offhand, I cannot think of any currently-sold TB3 or TB4 docks that have FireWire ports.

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A search of Amazon for "USB-C to eSATA cable" turns up a couple of adapter cables by StarTech for just under $40 (each). The first one has a USB-C plug, and the second, slightly cheaper one, has a USB-A plug. I also see some adapter cables by brands I've never heard of before for just under $25.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-USB-eSATA-Cable-Converter/dp/B07FJ2NVL2/

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-USB-3-0-eSATA-Adapter/dp/B00LD2FKOK/

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OWC has drives and drive enclosures that support both FireWire and USB 3. As far as I know, they are the only vendor that still does. This would allow connecting a drive to an old Mac using FW800 for making a backup and then connecting it to a new Mac using USB 3 (or USB-C to USB-A (USB 3))/

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Answer 2

Nov 28, 2023 2:50 PM in response to Sigrid Murphy

If you have an up-to-date Time Machine or bootable clone backup of the old machine’s startup disk, on an external drive with a USB interface,I’d suggest transferring the drive and pointing Migration Assistant at it.

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Answer 3

Nov 28, 2023 8:14 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Thanks. Okay, so that’s what I’m doing — using migration assistant to copy over my home directory, other files, and system files (unchecked the Applications box) from an external hard drive backup. Super slow going (~ 45 MB/s) but it looks like it should work. Only viable cable on hand is USB 2.0.

Still wondering if there is a cable adapter or combo of cables that could do this task faster by using the available FW800 or eSATA ports on the ext drive? Anyone know of such a cable? Going to either T3 or USB 3. Obviously I’ve googled and looked on Amazon but so far I don’t see anything that would work.

The iMac is such a reliable, long lasting piece of hardware, certainly there have been many people in this situation before, right? Additional tips, suggestions welcome. Thanks.

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Best way to move data to a 2017 retina 4k iMac18,2 from a late 2009 iMac10,1 + method for backups going forward

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