Question about restoring ML to a SSD replacement boot drive

Hi guys,

I have a base 2011 mini + 8GB of RAM. Performance is OK, but I'm used to SSD on my W7 box, and I think it would be fun to upgrade my mini.

I've been temped by the Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, which B&H now has on sale for $230.

Since I would never need more than 256GB of local storage, I could just run the SSD as the single drive. My media is stored on a NAS. In other words, I wouldn't need the data doubler kit, or reuse the 500GB drive in the mini.

Here's my question: What would be the most efficient way to re-install Mountain Lion for a fresh drive? I don't really have much on my current mini, just a few programs and maybe 50GB in iTunes. I do back up via Time Machine. Seems like either Time Machine or some type of cloning software would work... but (coming from my Windows days) I'm always a bit hesitant to just copy over (old to new) directly, in fear of having a bunch of "junk" come along with it. Changes maybe from programs long deleted, and other baggage. A clean OS install always seems to be the most effective thing, in my experience.

So what's the best way to get that "fresh out of the box" Mountain Lion experience, while still keeping a dozen or so existing applications + iTunes?

niteflyr said:

Use Internet Recovery to format SSD and install ML. Then migrate programs and data from from Time Machine.

Click to expand...

No benefit from using Recovery Assistant to pick and choose programs/settings vs. an "image" restore via Time Machine?

ybz90 said:

They are the same thing. I would recommend doing it from Time Machine right away so you can avoid creating another profile, which you would then have to delete.

When you install ML, at the setup point, you have the option to restore from another Mac, Time Machine backup, or set up the computer anew. Just choose TM then and you're set to go.

Click to expand...

I see. I thought there was another option "Recovery Assistant" where I could selectively pull off programs and/or settings from my old drive (in a USB dock). Wouldn't that be the same as restoring from "another Mac"?

I'm not trying to overthink or over complicate this process, I just want to make sure I'm not dragging a bunch of system file junk from the current drive, to the new SSD.

I think the task I'm considering performing is "Set up Assistant", as opposed to just a full Time Machine "image" restore? Or, are these still one-and-the-same?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4180294?start=0&tstart=0

niteflyr said:

Yes, that would work also. I think we are all talking about the same thing, during the setup process. You are not doing a full system restore from time machine.

Click to expand...

Well now I'm thoroughly confused

What should I be choosing for step e at this link? http://pondini.org/TM/14.html