I understand the basic difference between the two, but if I'm transfering data from my one computer to my brand new computer, what is there to replace? (I'll continue to use my old Mac but would like to transfer some data to my new laptop; all the data is under one account on my old Mac).
It will be my first time using migration assistant so any words of wisdom are appreciated. :)
MacBook Air (M3, 2024)
when you get the new Mac, before turning it on for the first time please connect the old Macs Time Machine External Hard Disk . You will likely need an adapter but just get it, they are less than $10 at Amazon.
when you turn on the new Mac for the first time it launches Setup Assistant. SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another Mac, select Yes and follow the on screen prompts and your new Mac will be fully setup!
If the old Mac does not have a Time Machine backup create one!!!!!! You can use the same drive on the new Mac!!!!
This method is the fastest, easiest and most reliable method bar none!!!
For your needs Migration Assistant will NOT serve you as MA is an all or nothing proposition. If you only want to migrate data, it will migrate all your data including your photos. You cannot select and choose what data you want migrated. If you just want your photos and a few files, your best bet is to manually copy that data onto an External Hard Disk or a Flash Drive and then copy from that media to the new MBP.
My recommendation is to move everything using the method I described in my first post and then go back to the MBP and Trash what you don't want. This generally is a must faster and cleaner method.
Thank you so much for your detailed response, I really appreciate it. I do have a Time Machine backup for my old Mac, but I do not want to transfer everything from the old Mac to my new laptop, just photos and a few files which is why I thought Migration Assistant might be the better option.
Thanks again! :)
Thank you again for responding. I will definitely consider your suggestions as I was under the assumption that you could move/migrate some of your data, ie/ photos only, to a new system using MA. I do want to keep the albums I have created on my old MAC, rather than just move all my photos, so I will do some testing using a flash drive before I attempt any major transfer of data.
Thanks again for your help.
Your welcome.
Rename or replace user account migration
