Is a Docker container the best solution to transfer software and tools over to a new machine?

[questionwonder]

I have a Macbook Pro M1 14". I run VS Code, .Net Core, Angular, etc. SQL Server is hosted in Azure as well as the web servers for projects and the code is stored in Git.

I want to buy a new MB Pro M5/M6 in the next couple of months when the new ones are released, but I'm reluctant to install all that software again on the new machine because it takes 2-3 days. I have to reinstall all the software with the correct versions, etc. (it's a pain in the butt!)

To avoid the hassle of installing all that new software, would this be a good use case for a docker container? I haven't used Docker, or any other container apps, but it seems like this would be a good use case?

Another question.
If I were to use Docker (assuming this is the best solution), would I have to manually install all the software into the docker container first before I transfer it over to my new MB Pro? Or is there an automated way to port all the software, versions, etc. to the container without having to manually install each one?

Last question.
What's the best way to transfer my programming tools to a new machine, while maintaining versions?

 

[Sendeky]

Wouldn’t using Time Machine accomplish the same thing? I don’t remember the specifics since it’s been around 4 years but when I was going from my 2014 15” to my 2021 16”, I used my time machine backups and I’m pretty sure it transferred everything, including by python/environments, all my Xcode stuff, definitely all my VSCode and extensions, and a couple React projects I had. I might’ve had to reinstall a couple things though. I don’t think you can easily or cleanly transfer everything to docker containers, but I might be wrong. Either way definitely make a backup before you do anything (although i’m sure you already know that)

 

[Bigwaff]

To avoid the hassle of installing all that new software, would this be a good use case for a docker container? I haven't used Docker, or any other container apps, but it seems like this would be a good use case?

No, not really.

If I were to use Docker (assuming this is the best solution), would I have to manually install all the software into the docker container first before I transfer it over to my new MB Pro?

Yes.

Or is there an automated way to port all the software, versions, etc. to the container without having to manually install each one?

Once container is built and you push image to remote repository, you can pull image on new Mac.

 

[Fallforward]

Did an update from M1 to M4 recently, albeit with a much simpler software configuration than yours. So perhaps my experience isn't relevant.

Mac setup program had the option to link the two Macs by WiFi. Just let it chug for a few hours and done. At the start it said 9 hours, but it took only a couple hours. Super easy, sort of like changing iPhones.

There were some subsequent glitches, but they have been very minor. For example, coming out of sleep mode my various windows moved and changed sizes. Turns out the display settings on the new mac had the laptop display set as the main display instead of the monitor. Once figured out, it was an easy fix.

Also had an app-alias folder that disappeared from my dock. The fix was to simply drag the copy in Finder to the Dock, again.

 

[questionwonder]

Wouldn’t using Time Machine accomplish the same thing? I don’t remember the specifics since it’s been around 4 years but when I was going from my 2014 15” to my 2021 16”, I used my time machine backups and I’m pretty sure it transferred everything, including by python/environments, all my Xcode stuff, definitely all my VSCode and extensions, and a couple React projects I had. I might’ve had to reinstall a couple things though. I don’t think you can easily or cleanly transfer everything to docker containers, but I might be wrong. Either way definitely make a backup before you do anything (although i’m sure you already know that)

I don't want to make a backup of the entire system (all apps, files, etc) just a couple!

 

[chrfr]

I don't want to make a backup of the entire system (all apps, files, etc) just a couple!

You don’t have to make a backup (though it’s not a bad idea.) Migration Assistant can do a direct migration from one Mac to another.

 

[Sendeky]

I don't want to make a backup of the entire system (all apps, files, etc) just a couple!

Ah sorry didn’t realize that 😅 Then yeah Migration assistant should work for that like another poster said

 

[donawalt]

The best way to use Migration Assistant, especially with more modern Macs with USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, is to get a Thunderbolt 4 cable from Apple and connect the old and new Macs that way. I have 96 apps in my Applications folder, including some software dev/networking tools, and it was amazing how quickly and easily the migration went. It's WAY faster than Migrating via WiFi!

 

[questionwonder]

The best way to use Migration Assistant, especially with more modern Macs with USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, is to get a Thunderbolt 4 cable from Apple and connect the old and new Macs that way. I have 96 apps in my Applications folder, including some software dev/networking tools, and it was amazing how quickly and easily the migration went. It's WAY faster than Migrating via WiFi!

Can I selectively pick what apps, tools, etc I want to migrate over?

 

[donawalt]

You cannot pick which Apps - all apps or none. Same with system settings, and documents - all or none.

 

[questionwonder]

You cannot pick which Apps - all apps or none. Same with system settings, and documents - all or none.

What about all the frameworks, tools, libraries, etc for my programming environment? Ex. .Net Core isn't an app, but a framework, same with Angular

 

[donawalt]

My experience, when I select all Apps, Documents and Settings, is that EVERYTHING comes across.

The nice thing is, try it - if you are not happy with the result, your source Mac has not changed - you can factory reset your new Mac and do something else to get it set up.

 

[questionwonder]

My experience, when I select all Apps, Documents and Settings, is that EVERYTHING comes across.

The nice thing is, try it - if you are not happy with the result, your source Mac has not changed - you can factory reset your new Mac and do something else to get it set up.

ok, I'll give it a try! Thanks.