Mac to Mac data transfer

[colin.dunn]

My primary workstation is a Mac mini, but I also have a MacBook Pro that I take with me when I travel. Because my files all live on the mini, I regularly transfer data (10-20 GB at a time) from the mini to the MacBook and back again. Up until now I have been using an external USB drive, which can be slow.

So my question is: what is the fastest method of transferring data from one Mac to another? Is it possible to connect the Macs together with a USB or ethernet cord and transfer the files directly?

In case it is of any consequence, the mini is new (mid 2011) and the MacBook Pro is a 15", late 2008 model.

 

[warvanov]

Yes, it's possible to connect them directly with an ether cable and transfer files. You have to set up file sharing on one or both machines to do this but it should be pretty straightforward.

 

[tears2040]

You can connect them together with a firewire 800 cable. Set your Mac mini as the target disk and transfer the files over to your MBP.

 

[KScottMyers]

My primary workstation is a Mac mini, but I also have a MacBook Pro that I take with me when I travel. Because my files all live on the mini, I regularly transfer data (10-20 GB at a time) from the mini to the MacBook and back again. Up until now I have been using an external USB drive, which can be slow.

So my question is: what is the fastest method of transferring data from one Mac to another? Is it possible to connect the Macs together with a USB or ethernet cord and transfer the files directly?

In case it is of any consequence, the mini is new (mid 2011) and the MacBook Pro is a 15", late 2008 model.

Ethernet will be fastest - as you will connect at gigabit speeds. Macs are smart enough to do the crossover on their own - not requiring a special cable or hub.

Here is s a list of all the Macs that do not require a crossover cable.

iMac (17-inch 1GHz) and later
eMac (ATI Graphics) and later
iBook (Dual USB) and later
Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) and later
Xserve and later
Power Mac G5 and later
PowerBook G4 and later
Mac mini
AirPort Base Station (Dual Ethernet)
AirPort Extreme Base Station
AirPort Express
Time Capsule
All Intel-based Macintosh computers

Assign static addresses, turn on file sharing and you should be good to go.