How to use Time Machine to Restore new MacBook

[willpoker]

I have been using an iMac for awhile and was running Time Machine on it. Recently I backed everything up on Time Machine one last time before deleting everything, having Time Machine disconnected, and buying a MacBook, that will arrive in about 1 week.

My question pertains to how, if possible, to take Time Machine from my iMac and "restore" my new MacBook. I want everything to be on my new laptop the same way that it was on my iMac. Is this even possible?

A side note is that I bought my MacBook from Apple online with iWork pre-installed, is the restore going to effect this? Thanks for the help!

 

[WillJS]

When you start up your Mac for the first time, it will ask you if you want to restore and will give you a couple of options (TM is one). Plug in the drive, hit go, and your set.

 

[willpoker]

thanks for the help

Thanks. Do you know if it will effect the software that Apple is pre-installing for me? That is probably one of the biggest issues that I have. I don't want to have to deal with Apple on getting my programs back.

 

[willpoker]

Perfect

Just to let everyone out there know, I got my MacBook and the process was seamless. Time Machine asked me what I want to have installed and it did its thing. Sure it took a little time, but all of my application's, music, pictures, etc. was transferred without a hitch. Even the programs that I bought pre-installed on my new Mac worked just fine. They did not require me to re-install them or anything. Awesome job Apple!!