Is it possible to use Data Migration the following way?

You should follow these steps.

Selling old Mac (4) Apple support

Once she gets the computer, she can boot and use Setup Assistant to migrate the data. Usually works better than Migration Assistant.

When you use Migration Assistant, it normally sets up a new account. Go to System Preferences/Users & Groups to see if a new account was setup. If so, log out and then log in using the new account. Check for what you are missing. If you find it, copy it to either the users Public folder or the hard drive/Users/Shared folder. While there, see if there is anything else. When complete, log out and log in the other user account and copy the data to your normal account. You can then delete the new account if desired.

Migration Assistant

Migration Assistant (2)

Migration Assistant – Tips and Tricks

If the 2 computers have the correct cable connections, try the Target Disk Mode.

Target Disk Mode - Mavericks

Target Disc Mode

First, you are not legally allowed to give, sell, transfer, convey, will, etc. the license for Yosemite. You must use Internet Recovery to partition the disk and reinstall the shipping OS. During the startup Assistant, she can choose to Migrate from her Mac. That will create the same account she has with all of her Apps.

She can then upgrade to Yosemite.

It is much better to let Migration Assistant create the account, not create the account and then try to migrate into it.

You can use any cable at your disposal that will work between the two Macs. There are thunderbolt to FW800 cables available.

Note: the 2010 MBA does not have a Thunderbolt port.

Depending on the amount of data, you can use Ethernet (I'm not sure about USB), but as I mentioned, you can purchase a Thunderbolt to FW800 cable that will connect them both and allow you to use Target Disk Mode.

But, perhaps it is not worth the cost/time to acquire over just using USB or Ethernet. Oops, you mentioned Macbook Air. Maybe that's out of the question, too. WiFi??

One end is Thunderbolt and the other is FW800. Does the Air not have either connection? Sorry, I'm not too familiar with the Air line.

belso wrote:

@Eric

Thanks Eric for your help.

However, I'm not quite clear about several points.

1. should i create her account on my MBA i'm planning to give her BEFORE migrating her data and apps?

2. you wrote: "When you use Migration Assistant, it normally sets up a new account."

do you mean I'm gonna be prompted to create a new account?

if so, I better create her account at that point (with the same credentials she has on her present MBA), right?

but right below, you wrote: "You can then delete the new account if desired".

it's the opposite i'd like to do: i'd like to delete my account so that she has only her account on the MBA i'm giving her.

3. Target Disk Mode

unfortunately her 2010 MBA has no Thunderbolt connection, we'll need to use a USB2 cable.

i read your Target Disk Mode link and Apple don't mention/recommend using a USB2 cable.

so I better not use Target Disk Mode and migrate via USB2, right?

1. No

2. Don't use Migration Assistant, use Setup assistant

3. Don't use Target Disk mode, just use Setup assistant, USB2 will work but will require some time