Apple Ashley
Level 1
(10 points)
Q: Using Time Machine or Migration Assistant for Transferring Info From and Old Mac to a New One
I have been thinking about upgrading from a Macbook Air to a Macbook Pro, and have been doing research as to how to move pretty much everything (files, icloud account, etc.) to a new computer so I know how to do it when the time comes. I have not backed up my current computer during the time I have had it, and didn't know if it was necessary to do so before transfering. Also, I have found two different ways to move my information from one mac to another, one way being via migration assistant, the other via time machine. The problem is I have never used time machine (I checked my settings and it is off). I was curious as to which option would be the "better" way and if not ever backing up my computer would make either a problem. (If its possible, could someone also please explain how to back up my computer?)
Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hopefully getting a response soon!
MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)
sberman
Level 8
(41,095 points)
Apple Ashley wrote:
Okay, so please tell me if I'm understanding correctly: so for using time machine I can get the time capsule, connect it to time machine, which is connected to my computer and anything I back up in time machine goes to the capsule?
This is correct. But again I do not recommend doing this using your MacBook Air ... assuming you are considering backing up the MacBook Air solely for the purpose of migrating to a new MacBook Pro. This migration can be done using Migration Assistant directly from the MacBook Air to the Pro.
Apple Ashley wrote:
And then when using migration assistant when I get a new mac, when I choose which source of files to send to the new computer, I have the option of my old computer, my macintosh HD drive, or time machine, do I choose time machine and by doing so all the information stored on the capsule with go to the new computer?
Assuming you are on the verge of making a MacBook Pro purchase, you might as well not go through the Time Machine intermediate step. (If you are not getting this MacBook Pro very soon, then you should consider quickly purchasing a Time Capsule and starting your Time Machine with the MacBook Air so you will have backups in case of a catastrophic failure.)
Regardless of when you purchase your MacBook Pro (very soon or not so soon), I recommend you use Migration Assistant to restore from the MacBook Air directly and not the Time Machine backup.
Also be advised the first time you perform a Time Machine backup, it will do a full system backup which may take a very long time (hours). Subsequent backups are incremental and take much less time (except when performing a major OS X update).
