Early MacBook Air 2015 to M3 MacBook Pro

[JDP1970]

I’ve just bought an M3 MacBook Pro & need to migrate from my early 2015 MacBook Air.

I’m currently away from home and I’d rather not use the hotel’s WiFi for this. I could use my iPhone’s data but, I’m concerned re: stability of the connection & the length of time it would take

Tomorrow, I’ll be travelling to my next destination, so I really need to get this done today/tonight. What’s the best cable to buy to get this done quickly?

Thanks.

 

[chabig]

I’m currently away from home and I’d rather not use the hotel’s WiFi for this. I could use my iPhone’s data but, I’m concerned re: stability of the connection & the length of time it would take

The hotel's wifi won't be part of the solution. Your two MacBooks will connect themselves directly over wifi–device to device. A direct Thunderbolt connection will be faster, but you won't quickly find a Thunderbolt cable to connect the two. If you can find a USB-A to USB-C cable, that will work. But I think that by the time you find and purchase one, you could have it completed over wifi.

 

[JDP1970]

The hotel's wifi won't be part of the solution. Your two MacBooks will connect themselves directly over wifi–device to device. A direct Thunderbolt connection will be faster, but you won't quickly find a Thunderbolt cable to connect the two. If you can find a USB-A to USB-C cable, that will work. But I think that by the time you find and purchase one, you could have it completed over wifi.

If a Thunderbolt is the quickest option then I’ll get one. I’m in Bangkok so obtaining one is easy. I don’t want to risk the WiFi option as should it fail, I’m going to Hong Kong tomorrow & I want it up and running before I leave town.

Out of interest, how long is the WiFi option likely to take? I think the MacBook Air is using about 170gb of its 256gb.

 

[chabig]

You'll need a Thunderbolt cable with a Thunderbolt 2 port on one end and a USB-C port on the other.

If you can't find that, get a Thunderbolt data cable with USB-C on both ends, and an adapter for USB-C to Thunderbolt 2.

 

[JDP1970]

You'll need a Thunderbolt cable with a Thunderbolt 2 port on one end and a USB-C port on the other.

If you can't find that, get a Thunderbolt data cable with USB-C on both ends, and an adapter for USB-C to Thunderbolt 2.


View attachment 2380067

Thanks & the WiFi option, what would be your estimate time wise? I don’t want to to have to hang about in the room for hours.

 

[chabig]

That all depends on how much data needs to be transferred. But suppose you have 500GB to transfer, and your wifi can transfer 500 Mbps–this would take slightly less than 3 hours.

 

[JDP1970]

That all depends on how much data needs to be transferred. But suppose you have 500GB to transfer, and your wifi can transfer 500 Mbps–this would take slightly less than 3 hours.

I’ve nowhere near that on the old MacBook Air. I edited my previous reply but, I think you’d already replied by the time I’d finished. It’s using about 170 of 256.

 

[chabig]

I tried to estimate high data and low transfer rate. You might transfer in just over an hour, then.

 

[JDP1970]

I tried to estimate high data and low transfer rate. You might transfer in just over an hour, then.

Thanks. I might give it a go then.

 

[JDP1970]

I tried to estimate high data and low transfer rate. You might transfer in just over an hour, then.

It actually took less than that & the whole procedure was completed in around 45 minutes.

The same couldn’t be said re: erasing the MacBook Air & reinstalling Monterey, which took well over 2 hours & ruined my evening.

At least I spared myself the expense of cables and adapters.