Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Macbook Pro Upgrade

Hi everyone,


I am planning to give my 2011 Macbook Pro away and get the new one with Retina display.


I have three questions:


- How do I tranfer everything I have in the new one? Is the TimeMachine Backup enough or will I loose data (like itunes songs or iPhoto pics)?


- How can I erase everything I have in the old one in the most secure way?


- Will I still be able to use my Microsoft Office suite or will I need to purchase a new one?


Thank you in advance for your help!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Dec 7, 2013 12:37 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 7, 2013 12:41 PM

Welcome to Apple Support Communities


Luca_f wrote:


- How do I tranfer everything I have in the new one? Is the TimeMachine Backup enough or will I loose data (like itunes songs or iPhoto pics)?


You can use your Time Machine backup to transfer your files to the new MacBook Pro.


Setup Assistant will appear the first time you turn on your new MacBook, so follow its steps. It will ask you to restore files from a backup, so choose the option to restore files from a Time Machine backup, connect the external drive and follow its steps. You will be able to choose what you want to restore. See > http://pondini.org/OSX/SetupLion.html


Luca_f wrote:


- How can I erase everything I have in the old one in the most secure way?


Follow these steps before giving away your Mac > http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5189


After starting from the DVD that came with your Mac or OS X Recovery, open Disk Utility and choose Macintosh HD in the sidebar. Go to Erase tab and erase the drive.


You can choose one of the secure erase options to make sure your files will be unrecoverable after formatting the hard drive. Note that this will make the process longer.


Luca_f wrote:


- Will I still be able to use my Microsoft Office suite or will I need to purchase a new one?


The Time Machine backup will transfer Office to your MacBook Pro, so you should be able to carry on using it

2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 7, 2013 12:41 PM in response to Luca_f

Welcome to Apple Support Communities


Luca_f wrote:


- How do I tranfer everything I have in the new one? Is the TimeMachine Backup enough or will I loose data (like itunes songs or iPhoto pics)?


You can use your Time Machine backup to transfer your files to the new MacBook Pro.


Setup Assistant will appear the first time you turn on your new MacBook, so follow its steps. It will ask you to restore files from a backup, so choose the option to restore files from a Time Machine backup, connect the external drive and follow its steps. You will be able to choose what you want to restore. See > http://pondini.org/OSX/SetupLion.html


Luca_f wrote:


- How can I erase everything I have in the old one in the most secure way?


Follow these steps before giving away your Mac > http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5189


After starting from the DVD that came with your Mac or OS X Recovery, open Disk Utility and choose Macintosh HD in the sidebar. Go to Erase tab and erase the drive.


You can choose one of the secure erase options to make sure your files will be unrecoverable after formatting the hard drive. Note that this will make the process longer.


Luca_f wrote:


- Will I still be able to use my Microsoft Office suite or will I need to purchase a new one?


The Time Machine backup will transfer Office to your MacBook Pro, so you should be able to carry on using it

Dec 7, 2013 12:41 PM in response to Luca_f

1. Yes, a Time Machine backup that is current is fine.


3. You will still be able to use your MS Office.


2. See below:


Follow these instructions step by step to prepare a Mac for sale:


Step One - Back up your data:


A. If you have any Virtual PCs shut them down. They cannot be in their "fast saved" state. They must be shut down from inside Windows.

B. Clone to an external drive using using Carbon Copy Cloner.


1. Open Carbon Copy Cloner.

2. Select the Source volume from the Select a source drop down menu on the left side.

3. Select the Destination volume from the Select a destination drop down menu on the right

side.

4. Click on the Clone button. If you are prompted about creating a clone of the Recovery HD be

sure to opt for that.


Destination means a freshly erased external backup drive. Source means the internal

startup drive.


Step Two - Prepare the machine for the new buyer:


1. De-authorize the computer in iTunes! De-authorize both iTunes and Audible accounts.

2, Remove any Open Firmware passwords or Firmware passwords.

3. Turn the brightness full up and volume nearly so.

4. Turn off File Vault, if enabled.

5. Disable iCloud, if enabled: See.What to do with iCloud before selling your computer


Step Three - Install a fresh OS:


A. Snow Leopard and earlier versions of OS X


1. Insert the original OS X install CD/DVD that came with your computer.

2. Restart the computer while holding down the C key to boot from the CD/DVD.

3. Select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu; repartition and reformat the internal hard drive.

Optionally, click on the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.

4. Install OS X.

5. Upon completion DO NOT restart the computer.

6. Shutdown the computer.


B. Lion and Mountain Lion (if pre-installed on the computer at purchase*)


Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because

it is three times faster than wireless.


1. Restart the computer while holding down the COMMAND and R keys until the Mac OS X

Utilities window appears.

2. Select Disk Utility from the Mac OS X Utilities window and click on the Continue button.

3. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the left side list. Click

on the Erase tab in the DU main window.

4. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on the Security button

and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.

5. Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.

6. Quit DU and return to the Mac OS X Utilities window.

7. Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.

8. Upon completion shutdown the computer.


*If your computer came with Lion or Mountain Lion or Mavericks pre-installed then you are entitled to transfer your license once. If you purchased Lion or Mountain Lion from the App Store then you cannot transfer your license to another party. In the case of the latter you should install the original version of OS X that came with your computer or erase the drive. You need to repartition the hard drive as well as reformat it; this will assure that the Recovery HD partition is removed. See Step Three above. You may verify these requirements by reviewing your OS X Software License.

Macbook Pro Upgrade

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.