ZachVR

Q: Mitigation of multiple laptops onto one desktop

I just purchased a new iMac that will be used as a home computer between myself and my wife. We both have Mac laptops. I want to bring all the data from each user onto the new computer, but under separate logins. So can I mitigate all of my information over then set up a new user and repeat with her data from her laptop.  The idea is to bring over the separate programs, files, preferences etc and have them be separate between the two of us on the new desktop.

 

I know one way to do it would be to partition the hard drive and reboot to each disk image as a user, but I was hoping I could do this so that I can log off one user then switch over to the other.

 

I am running El Capitan

Thanks,

Zach

iMac, iOS 9.1

Posted on Oct 28, 2015 10:25 PM

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Q: Mitigation of multiple laptops onto one desktop

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  • by joe_7399,

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Oct 30, 2015 10:54 AM in response to ZachVR
    Community Specialists
    Oct 30, 2015 10:54 AM in response to ZachVR

    Hi ZachVR,

     

    Congratulations on getting your new iMac. When sharing a Mac it is understandable to want multiple logins to make it "your own" for each user.

     

    You have a couple options for migrating from your portables to the iMac, Migration Assistant and manual.

     

    Migration Assistant would be easier but it would combine applications from each portable Macintosh HD / Application folder into the main Application folder on the iMac.  Only if Applications had been installed the User's Home Folder / Applications would the applications be kept separate.  You could, of course, not automatically migrate the apps then manually add/install them later.

     

    Manually migrating data would allow you to pick and choose everything and where it goes, although it is a good idea to install apps from the installers.

     

    If the reason you want to keep Apps separate is they were purchased under different Apple IDs you may want to explore Family Sharing.

     

    Take care.