Clone or copy iMac HD to new iMac HD

you can clone the current Mac's HD to an external HD using e.g. _*Carbon Copy Cloner*_.

then, when your new Mac arrives, use *setup assistant* and the instructions in [ this|http://web.me.com/pondini/AppleTips/SetupAsst.html] user tip to migrate what you want from the clone.

J GG

If you have access to both computers, the easist way is to use migration assistant. When you initially turn on your new computer, it will ask you if you want to transfer data from another computer or drive. All you need to do is have the old computer connected via ethernet cable to the new computer or put the old computer in target disk mode. It will copy pretty much everything. The new computer will look like the old computer after it is done.

Glor

Strictly speaking you shouldn't both be running the same purchased software (e.g., Office) since usually those licenses are for running software on one computer only.
The same goes for music/media purchases.

One of you will obviously want to get a new iTunes account.

Although you can clone the internal drive to an external drive as recommended earlier (just in case you don't have a new computer before you no longer have access to the old), you won't be able to clone it to the new computer because it will likely need its own system version (and will come with it anyway). However, you can migrate files as suggested.

Fletch23 wrote:
So this will get me the Office 2011 I just installed

yes, you can choose to migrate all apps, your user account, your network settings, etc. just don't clone the entire HD to your new machine (as has been said already). i *do not* recommend migrating your iTunes library this way, though (more below).

note you get only *one chance* to use setup assistant (search the forum and you will see that *migration assistant* - the little brother of *setup assistant* 😉 - is considered iffy and, more often than not, causes problems on the new Mac) so make sure you follow the instructions from the user tip.

as well as all my iTunes stuff?

as for iTunes, use the following technique:

when you connect your clone drive to your Mac, copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) from <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music on the the clone to <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music on your new Mac, replacing the iTunes folder in place there.

in both points i assume you own the software and the media files !

Do you know if I will need to set up a new iTunes account or if she will?

well, both of you should have your own iTunes store accounts.

J GG