Is Time Machine the best thing to use when transferring Data from Old Macbook to New

[sedgeman]

Hi

Hope someone can help with this

I am having to send my Old Macbook 2.1 off for repair - but more than likley it will be replaced

Whats the best way to transfer all Data, Documents, Music Pictures etc to my new MAcbook when i get it?

I've called Apple Tech support who have said Time Machine would be the best option?

If i do use Time Machine can i just select the Music, Documents and Pictures to be copied to my new Macbook?

Thanks

 

[benwiggy]

When you get a new Mac, it will prompt you for transferring data from another Mac, using Migration Assistant, which you can also run anytime from the Utilities folder.
It gives you the option of what you want to transfer, and whether to connect directly to another Mac, or to a TM backup.

 

[sedgeman]

When you get a new Mac, it will prompt you for transferring data from another Mac, using Migration Assistant, which you can also run anytime from the Utilities folder.
It gives you the option of what you want to transfer, and whether to connect directly to another Mac, or to a TM backup.

Thanks for the response - I won;t have my old Macbook when i get the new one delievered so will need to store all the Data elsewhere

Would Time Machine be the best option?

Or shall i just transfer the data to external hardrive?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Yes, Time Machine will be a good option, and you can select what to migrate from the TM backup HDD once you connect it to your Mac.

Time Machine FAQ

Migration Assistant / Setup Assistant information:

Setting-up a new Mac from an old one, its Backups, or a PC
which includes:

• Using Setup Assistant on Snow Leopard or Leopard
• Using Setup Assistant on Lion
• Using Migration Assistant on Snow Leopard or Leopard
• Using Migration Assistant on Lion
• Transferring files from one User Account to another
• Transferring Home Folders not on a Startup volume
• Transferring Applications
• Problems after using Migration Assistant

more information: Apple OSX and Time Machine Tips
​

 

[benwiggy]

Would Time Machine be the best option?
Or shall i just transfer the data to external hardrive?

So you want to know whether the existing copy of all your data is better than making a new copy of all your data?
Both are as good as each other: one takes more time and hardware.