What are the Pros and Cons of using Migration Assistant?

Whatever you do, I’d suggest to have a usable Time Machine ** anyway!

From the old machine as well as from the new one, untouched.

The Migration Assistant from iMac to iMac (on the same cable LAN switch) didn’t work here (waiting for connection forever) but with a TM ** it was really easy to move my documents + apps including Win (Parallels) using the assistant.

As I understand it’s not a sector per sector copy (therefore pure data) and I was informed about two apps not being compatible any more - downloaded new versions - OK.

I’ve lost the old “Network Utility” version (due to Mavericks) but from the old ** I could copy it back, no problem.

A comprehensive answer requires knowing what OS your MacBook is running.

Check your required work software for Mavericks compatibility. If a developer does not specifically indicate their software is ready for Mavericks, assume it is not. Developers have had nearly a year to test their software for Mavericks. If they haven't updated it by now, their commitment to the platform is questionable.

It is far from a complete list but http://roaringapps.com/apps:tablemay be useful. It should not be considered 100% accurate.

Uninstall any and all "anti-virus" or "cleaning" apps that should not be installed on any Mac, and back up your system as a precaution against the unexpected. Merely having a backup seems to preclude the need to ever require one. Migration Assistant will migrate everything that will run, including many ill-conceived third party system modifications known to cause problems. Incompatible software will be segregated in a folder named "Incompatible software" but OS X's verification for what it considers "compatible" is not completely reliable.

If you want to eliminate all doubt, migrate only your User accounts themselves, and exclude Applications, Computer & Network Settings, or "other files and folders" from the selection list.

sancho_p Network Utility is not gone, just hidden.

Select the following line (triple-click the line to select it) then control-click, and from the contextual menu select Services > Open

/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/Network Utility.app

Drag the icon to another location in the Dock and it will stay there after you quit Network Utility.

Hi John, I know, but in the new version the tab “Lookup” is crippled, pretty useless to me.

I love the oldie (1.4.6) in this case ;-)

Thanks anyway!

I agree.

Migration Assistant often doesn't play well with iPhoto Libraries. Users have reported corrputed libraries after migrating. If you have problems the fix for that is to manually copy the iPhoto Library to the new Mac by connecting the two via LAN, wireless or with an external HD formatted OS X Extended (journaled).

OT

Thank you John... I was just browsing for an answer to how to make sure I move all of my husband's documents, pics, etc without risking missing anything... and also get a fresh install on the apps/settings. Sounds like "If you want to eliminate all doubt, migrate only your User accounts themselves, and exclude Applications, Computer & Network Settings, or "other files and folders" from the selection list." is what I need to do. Thanks!