migration assistant or setup assistant? [also connection method]

Discussion in 'iMac' started by KaraH, Oct 7, 2013.

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  1. KaraH, Oct 7, 2013
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2013

    KaraH macrumors 6502

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2012
    Location:
    DC
    #1
    Aside from remembering to set up an account that does not exist on the new mac is there any real difference between both?

    I ask because I want to be able to repartition my drive before migrating things so the fewest possible blocks need to be moved. Then make sure the partition will fit on my SSD.

    While I am asking, which is faster, an ethernet connection to my old mac or a connection to my old time machine drive? I assume ethernet because the drive is usb2 and more than likely has been thrashed over the years?

    Usually I just manually set up a new mac but wanted to try a normal apple migration this time.

    edit: It looks like setup assistant is preferred? Is that still the case? I am concerned about how long it will take, although I am skipping my biggest directory, applications (I want to make sure they all work first and do not need installers).
     
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  2. Weaselboy, Oct 7, 2013

    Weaselboy Moderator

    Weaselboy

    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Location:
    California
    #2
    I am not sure I understand your question, but I'll give this a shot based on what I think you are asking. :)

    When you start a new system it runs setup assistant and during that is asks if you want to bring in your data from an old mac. All that does is run Migration Assistant (MA) and pull in your user account and data.

    So you can skip MA during setup and run it later and it will be the same result.

    One warning though. During setup do not make a new account of the same name you want to import from the old machine with MA as it will make a mess. Make a dummy/test account and do whatever you want with partitions etc, then run MA.

    A direct ethernet connection will be fastest.
     
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