fresh install or use backup?

[Kronie]

I have an i7 arriving tomorrow. Originally I was going to just move my data over from my backup and install everything fresh. This is what I always do when I get a new computer. Now I am not so sure. It would certainly be easier NOT to have to run installers and enter serials for 10 or so various programs. plus all the other setup. BUT, I think its kind of nice to start from scratch and install what you need as you need it. Firefox, MS Office, CS5, Lightroom.....

What do you all do? New computer: Fresh install all the programs or use a CCC/time machine backup to restore?

 

[phonitron]

If its the same model or older, I'd always use a clean, but configured OS image. Meaning, I've setup the OS just the way i like it. Then update and install the apps and update those. Then I take a final image in case it goes wrong once it's setup. Never does though thankfully. Now i use disk utility or super duper since CCC was causing me reliability issues.

 

[robgendreau]

Keep it simple. Just run Setup Assistant (it's what the new machine boots into anyway) and migrate your stuff. IF you have problems THEN you can just reformat it and do a restore or a clone or whatever. Most of the time everything works fine and it's a LOT faster.

That being said, I always seem to end up needing to manually install the CS stuff. There may be licensing issues as well.

Rob