Best way to backup before selling my MacBook Air? Don't have the install discs on me

[wangchunggti337]

I am most likely selling my MBA in the next few days and want to back everything up before I do so. I don't have a new mac yet to transfer everything on to so I need a way to put everything on an external drive that will retain my settings, iPhone backup, iTunes, iPhoto, and internet bookmarks. Is there a good way to do this?

I also don't have the install discs on me, so I won't be able to do a fresh install. What's the best way to prepare my machine for sale without being able to reinstall Mac OS X? Or should I hold out for the discs?

 

[flopticalcube]

Clone to an external via Carbon Copy Cloner or Superduper!. Hold out for the install discs.

 

[wangchunggti337]

Any other way to restore without the discs?

 

[redchannel]

You can use an external HDD and set it up with Time Machine. That's the easiest way to do it. Borrow if from a friend if you cannot afford it. When you get your new Mac, restore it from the time machine backup on the HDD you used.

 

[BlueRevolution]

Hold out for the disks, or purchase a copy of Snow Leopard for $30 and install that.