Moving from one iMac to another...iMac...

There are a few ways. One using an ethernet cable to connect the two and another is Time Machine.

The cable method involves starting your new iMac and when it asks if you want to transfer information just tell it to do so from another Mac and it should find the ethernet connection. It will take some time, depending on the amount of information, and both iMacs will be unusable at the time but this is the fastest way in my experience.

MrCheeto said:

There are a few ways. One using an ethernet cable to connect the two and another is Time Machine.

The cable method involves starting your new iMac and when it asks if you want to transfer information just tell it to do so from another Mac and it should find the ethernet connection. It will take some time, depending on the amount of information, and both iMacs will be unusable at the time but this is the fastest way in my experience.

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I agree with this user. The fastest way also.


Also if you have a time machine backup of the other Mac you can just restore that on the new mac

Good step by step guides on Apples website about Time Machine
Mat L

I'm sorry I've made a mistake. Connecting FIREWIRE between the two is the only direct-wire method.

Connecting your new iMac to the same router that your old one is using will put them on the same network, thus you can use the Migration Assistant via the network. I recommend wiring both iMacs rather than using any WiFi

Apple Support

The first time you start the new iMac it will guide you to the option to transfer files. At that point you will select From Another Mac and select the Network option.

If your external drive is large enough to back up alllll of the files on the system, sure.

Time Machine Basics

hakr said:

I have an iMac 3.06Ghz and once the "problems" with the new I7 iMacs are fixed, I plan to buy one.

Will there be a way to simply and gracefully move my applications from the old iMac to the new iMac, or will I have to reinstall everything the old fashioned way, from scratch?

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I am not a time machine user. I use sata external drives in a sata/usb dirve dock and make bootable clone copies. If I were in your position, I would make a clone copy of the your current machine, make a clone copy of the new machine (test boot to both from the original machine just as a check). Then on the new machine with the external drive clone copy of the old machine mounted I would use Migration Assistant.

Migration Assistant gives you choices of what you want to move over. In this case where you have clones of the originals, you can experiment between moving only applications, user accounts, and data.

If you do not already have them, go download SuperDuper and Carbon Copy Cloner; both are user friendly donation ware.

And some are going to pick at using USB instead of firewire. My method is cheap and nearly fool proof.

neil

I did mine using an external hard drive and Time Machine, worked a treat and only took 30 mins

I used time machine as well. During the initial setup of my i7 it asked where I wanted to get files from. I selected TM and was able to choose what I wanted to restore.

Quick and painless.

hakr said:

it can't be this easy...

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Well...it's Apple

Apple Migration Assistant.

Apple actually invests money into usability which saves user time and headache (unlike windows).

Apple invests in impressing me every step of the way

I invest in opting for Apple products whenever I can

I'm very strong-feeling when it comes to brand/company pride but at the same time I'm reasonable and unbiased. Apple and Best Buy and Intel are on the top of my list of people that just don't let down

MrCheeto said:

I'm sorry I've made a mistake. Connecting FIREWIRE between the two is the only direct-wire method.

Connecting your new iMac to the same router that your old one is using will put them on the same network, thus you can use the Migration Assistant via the network. I recommend wiring both iMacs rather than using any WiFi

Apple Support

The first time you start the new iMac it will guide you to the option to transfer files. At that point you will select From Another Mac and select the Network option.

Click to expand...

I believe you can actually connect both directly via ethernet as well.

That's what I thought but it doesn't mention it anywhere on Apple's site =\