How can I swap between two MacBooks?

[Trungy]

I have a MacBook4,1, and my wife has a MacBook6,1.

We want to switch MacBooks, but we both want all of our programs and settings that we've established over the years. What is the best way for us to do a switcher-roo so that when she opens up my MacBook4,1, it looks and feels exactly like her old laptop? Should we use Migration Assistant? Would that also migrate our programs?

Thanks.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Switch the HDDs, if you both have at least 10.6.8 as Mac OS X version.

MacBook, MacBook Pro: Replacing the Hard Disk Drive, transferring data to the new HDD

the guide includes:

• 0. Identify your MacBook or MacBook Pro
• 1. Getting a new HDD
• 2. Guides to replace the internal HDD with a newer one
• 3. Transferring data from the old HDD to the new HDD
• 4. Using the optical disk drive (ODD) slot for placing an SSD or HDD inside the MB/P (OPTIBAY)

​

 

[Trungy]

Would the "About This Mac" stuff get in the way? We're both running 10.6.8. Just a simple clean swap would do the trick?

 

[mrsir2009]

Would the "About This Mac" stuff get in the way? We're both running 10.6.8. Just a simple clean swap would do the trick?

It should do, yes. How similar are the MacBooks?

 

[Trungy]

Mine is an Early 2008, and her's is a unibody 2009 but not aluminum. 4,1 and 6,1.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Would the "About This Mac" stuff get in the way? We're both running 10.6.8. Just a simple clean swap would do the trick?

No, since 10.6.8 includes drivers for all the hardware. You could even boot an Intel iMac or Mac Pro or MacBook Air with it, even a 2011 MBP or 2011 iMac.

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Mine is an Early 2008, and her's is a unibody 2009 but not aluminum. 4,1 and 6,1.

Just a small correction, the 6,1 is from 2010, the year the white Unibody MacBook was released.

See below post for correction.

 

[iDutchman]

No, since 10.6.8 includes drivers for all the hardware. You could even boot an Intel iMac or Mac Pro or MacBook Air with it, even a 2011 MBP or 2011 iMac.

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Just a small correction, the 6,1 is from 2010, the year the white Unibody MacBook was released.

Sorry to say that the above information is false. The unibody MacBook came as a follow up in Late 2009 (6,1) to the Early/Mid 2009 MacBook (5,2). Roll out began in October 2009.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Sorry to say that the above information is false. The unibody MacBook came as a follow up in Late 2009 (6,1) to the Early/Mid 2009 MacBook (5,2). Roll out began in October 2009.

Yes, you are correct. I got confused with the years and thought the Unibody MacBook Pros got released in 2009, when it was in 2008.

Now off to throw a hissy fit.