I am very new to Macs, but recently pruchased a desktop and a laptop to help get me through my doctoral program. My question is how do I easily transfer files between the two machines? If I'm working on a document on my laptop I'd like to be able to acces it on my desktop and then transfer that file back to the laptop. Is that even possible?
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), iOS 6.0.2
So long as the Macs are on the same network you can copy the file backwards and forewords across both computers so long as File Sharing is turned on in System Preferences. Also check that WiFi is enabled on both Macs.
You could use Airdrop (Finder>Preferences>Sidebar tab) or copy the file to the Public folder on the other Mac. You can use Command+K to 'connect to server' or you could select the other Mac that should be listed under 'Shared' in a Finder window.
So long as the Macs are on the same network you can copy the file backwards and forewords across both computers so long as File Sharing is turned on in System Preferences. Also check that WiFi is enabled on both Macs.
You could use Airdrop (Finder>Preferences>Sidebar tab) or copy the file to the Public folder on the other Mac. You can use Command+K to 'connect to server' or you could select the other Mac that should be listed under 'Shared' in a Finder window.
Sure it's posssible. Depending on your setup and needs, it may even be really easy. If you just need to transfer files when you're at home (or wherever your desktop system is), look into AirDrop:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4783
If you need to transfer files when you're out and about with your laptop, consider a cloud-based service such as Dropbox. Most of those services provide free accounts and storage; in the case of Dropbox you get 2GB for free.
Regards.
Could you explain the Command K and the 'Shared' section under Finder? I'm really slow learning my way around my Mac.
Again, not to sound like a complete idiot, but how would I download Dropbox assuming the other stuff didn't work well for me.
Click on the desktop and do Command+N to get a new Finder window and you should have the other computer listed like this:
For 'Connect to Server' - if you click on the desktop and do Command+K you will get a window like this:
the afp://..... address is the IP address of another computer on my network. If the box doesn't populate with the number of the other computer you can manually input the information. The IP address of the other computer can be found in (among other places): System Preferences>Sharing>File Sharing - the address is on the right.
You can get Dropbox from here. There's a useful video on the site explaining how it works. It's very easy to use:
www.dropbox.com
Regards.
Thank you both 🙂
You're welcome.
I have a Mac desktop and laptop, how can I easily transfer files between the two?
