Moving from 32 bit Mac to new 64 bit Mac using time machine

[Woutje]

Hi guys,

I've recently bought a new iMac and would like to migrate my stuff from my early 2006 iMac (first intel mac, 32 bit).

There are several ways of doing this, but I'd like to achieve:
1) Identical copy
2) Defragmented drive (previously it was getting very slow)

As I know from using Windows, you cannot simply create an image from one PC and move to another, because of differences in the kernel. The new PC may never boot.

Is this the same for Apple? I am moving from 32bit to 64bit, so that would be quite a change.

Also, should I use the migration assistant, or boot from recovery disc and recover from my time machine backup? Will the latter not result in a more identical system? And, is that desirable? My old iMac has all updates installed, so it should be the same as the new system.

Thanks

 

[maflynn]

Apple has something called migration assistant that will move your settings, user account, and apps from your old mac to your new mac.

Also there's little reason to defrag your drive, I wouldn't worry about it.