Couple of questions

[Joshaldo]

Hey guys I am currently in the process of selling my old MBP and I am wondering what the best way to back up my files is i.e. Time machine or just dropping and dragging what I need? What is the best way to restore my MBP to factory software so it is completely erased before handing over? The last question I have is in relation to the new MBP I am getting. I am getting an Apple SSD installed by Apple but I have read some reports that they use poor/crap SSD's, is this correct? Thanks for any help

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Hey guys I am currently in the process of selling my old MBP and I am wondering what the best way to back up my files is i.e. Time machine or just dropping and dragging what I need?

If you have an external HDD, properly formatted*, then Time Machine is probably the easiest option.
Upon opening your new Mac, you can either use Migration or Setup Assistant to migrate applications and documents and settings as you wish.
Migration Assistant / Setup Assistant information:

Setting-up a new Mac from an old one, its Backups, or a PC
which includes:

• Using Setup Assistant on Snow Leopard or Leopard
• Using Setup Assistant on Lion
• Using Migration Assistant on Snow Leopard or Leopard
• Using Migration Assistant on Lion
• Transferring files from one User Account to another
• Transferring Home Folders not on a Startup volume
• Transferring Applications
• Problems after using Migration Assistant

more information: Apple OSX and Time Machine Tips
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What is the best way to restore my MBP to factory software so it is completely erased before handing over?

Mac 101: Preparing your old Mac for sale or recycling

The last question I have is in relation to the new MBP I am getting. I am getting an Apple SSD installed by Apple but I have read some reports that they use poor/crap SSD's, is this correct? Thanks for any help

They are not crap, but they are much more expensive than if you would buy the SSD yourself and put it into the MBP yourself.
128 GB SSDs can be had for less than 200 USD (Apple price) and 256 GB SSDs can be definitely had for less than 500 USD (Apple price - many good 256 GB SSDs can be had for less than 250 USD via Newegg or other online stores, currently the Samsung 830 is the most recommended one).

SSD Buying Guide by Hellhammer​

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Overview of the four major file systems (called "Formats" in Mac OS X) used on Windows and Mac OS X, compiled by GGJstudios. You can use Disk Utility to format any HDD to your liking.

Any external hard drive will work with PCs or Macs, as long as the connectors are there (Firewire, USB, etc.) It doesn't matter how the drive is formatted out of the box, since you can re-format any way you like. Formatting can be done with the Mac OS X Disk Utility, found in the /Applications/Utilities folder. Here are your formatting options:

HFS+ (Hierarchical File System, a.k.a. Mac OS Extended (Journaled) Don't use case-sensitive)

• Read/Write HFS+ from native Mac OS X
• Required for Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! backups of Mac OS X system files.
  [*]To Read/Write HFS+ from Windows, Install MacDrive
  [*]To Read HFS+ (but not Write) from Windows, Install HFSExplorer
• Maximum file size: 8EiB
• Maximum volume size: 8EiB
• Mac OS X: Mac OS Extended format (HFS Plus) volume and file limits
• You can use this format if you only use the drive with Mac OS X, or use it for backups of your Mac OS X internal drive, or if you only share it with one Windows PC (with MacDrive installed on the PC)

NTFS (Windows NT File System)

• Read/Write NTFS from native Windows.
• Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X
  [*]To Read/Write/Format NTFS from Mac OS X, here are some alternatives:
  • For Mac OS X 10.4 or later (32 or 64-bit), install Paragon (approx $20) (Best Choice for Lion)
  • For 32-bit Mac OS X, install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X (free) (does not work in 64-bit mode)
  • For 64-bit Snow Leopard, read this: MacFUSE for 64-bit Snow Leopard
  • Some have reported problems using Tuxera (approx $36).
  • Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard and Lion, but is not advisable, due to instability.
• AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support NTFS
• Maximum file size: 16 TB
• Maximum volume size: 256TB
• You can use this format if you routinely share a drive with multiple Windows systems.

exFAT (FAT64)

• Supported in Mac OS X only in 10.6.5 or later.
• Not all Windows versions support exFAT. See disadvantages.
• exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)
• AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support exFAT
• Maximum file size: 16 EiB
• Maximum volume size: 64 ZiB
• You can use this format if it is supported by all computers with which you intend to share the drive. See "disadvantages" for details.

FAT32 (File Allocation Table)

• Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
  [*]Maximum file size: 4GB.
• Maximum volume size: 2TB
• You can use this format if you share the drive between Mac OS X and Windows computers and have no files larger than 4GB.

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