How to keep everything synchronised on two Macs

Question

Level 1

15 points

How to keep everything synchronised on two Macs

Hello,

My Father and I have just got two new Macs: I've got a MacBook Pro (not retina), and my Father has got the new 21.5" iMac. (And of course they both came with OSX Mountain lion).

We need to get them both to synchronise for work and keep them synchronised - if possible keeping all settings, preferences, files, applications etc. synchronised. So that when we swap Macs now and then if going out somewhere, they are exactly the same.

(Haven't got a Time capsule or Time Machine at the moment).

Thank you.

All the best,

Daniel

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Dec 20, 2012 3:01 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,731 points

Dec 20, 2012 3:05 PM in response to danielcallen

User your local network and file sharing or use an external drive to backup/restore from one to the other.

DO NOT exchange any system related files. As of now the OS versions on each of your computers are not the same. You should only stick to data in the Home folders.

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Answer 2

pkjok3r

Level 1

30 points

Dec 20, 2012 3:07 PM in response to danielcallen

There is no way to keep the two in constant sync with each other. The best thing you could do in this situation would be to use the 'back to my mac' feature available within iCloud. This allows you to remotely access the drives on both machines as long as you have an internet connection at the time. There may be third party software available that I an not farmiliar with but as far as I know this is the best way to acomplish your objective.

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Answer 3

danielcallen Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 20, 2012 3:24 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you both, I've found some third party sharing software for example SugarSync - But might just go with local network - home folder.

While on the subject of sharing on Macs, do you know about printing from a iPhone/iPad through a Canon printer plugged in to (my) MacBook Pro: http://discussions.apple.com/thread/4601021

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Answer 4

pkjok3r

Level 1

30 points

Dec 20, 2012 3:26 PM in response to danielcallen

If you go into system preferences > sharing (in the view menu if not listed). turn on printer sharing, after that you should be able to share the printer that is plugged up to your macbook with your other devices on the same network.

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Answer 5

danielcallen Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 20, 2012 3:30 PM in response to pkjok3r

Yep thanks, tried that before - but will try again - with different printer and hope it works.

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