Only clone OSX and certain applications to SSD

A clone by definition is an exact copy. Full stop.

How to create a boot clone

Maybe you need to entertain the idea of a larger SSD:

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSD7N6G480/

http://www.macworld.com/article/2014011/storage-drives/how-to-make-your-own-fusi on-drive.html

http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=2014030311173257

Replace DVD drive with HDD might be better way rather than HDD to be external one.

http://www.macworld.com/article/2082572/advice-from-an-apple-tech-how-to-replace -the-optical-drive-in-a-unibody-macbook-…

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Unibody-Laptop-Dual-Drive/IF107-080-3

If instead of cloning, you did a new installation of the OS on the SSD, you could boot from it and use Migration Assistant to select only certain categories of files (e.g., Applications) to migrate.

Once you install the OS on the SSD and then boot from it, you should be greeted by Setup Assistant, which offers to transfer a variety of item categories from a different (in this case your internal) drive. You can specify just applications rather than other file categories too.

Assuming the OS in question is El Capitan, you'd simply attach the USB Flash drive, download El Cap and when you run it, choose the Flash drive as the target for installation.

atk1 wrote:

Thanks, do you have info or a link on how to install the new OS?

Is this what you are asking?

Create a bootable installer for OS X - Apple Support

format and clone to a new SSD before you install it:

How to create a boot clone

atk1 wrote:

Hi

Thanks. I only want a clone of the OSX & the type of programs I mentioned. Not the entire contents of the HD as there are many files I dont need and I can just access them when I exchange the DVD drive for the HD.

I hope this clarafies the definition I intended.

Cheers

Then it won't be clone, use a different method.

atk1 wrote:

Thanks, About This Mac tells me MAC OS X Version 10.6.8?

I brought the MBP from a store so I have whatever it came with.

In that case, you have the DVDs that came with it. You can prepare the Flash drive, boot from the installer DVD and make the Flash drive the target.