Moving from M1 MacBook Air to M5

[dcmaccam]

Hi, Looking for a bit of info. I recently purchased an M5 MacBook Air to replace my M1 MacBook Air which I have now sold. I setup the new machine from a Time Machine backup of the M1. Every seems working fine.
However I am thinking this would have brought over a lot of unwanted old files. So wondering if I should wipe it and set it up from new would have been a better option. As this in not my main machine the is not much on it. Mail,Calendar etc plus Lightroom.
Now if I decide to wipe and start over I know I can export my Contacts and Calendar files but how would I Export/Import all my Mail folders I have on my machine.
Also is is it worth going down this route or should I leave as is.
Note. I do not use iCloud on this or my Mac Studio.

 

[Bigwaff]

However I am thinking this would have brought over a lot of unwanted old files.

Key question: How much of your internal storage is used? If you can’t explicitly identify a file as an “unwanted old file”, don’t worry about it.

 

[Bazza1]

I always set up as new.

I don't want to inadvertently migrate over any old issues to a new machine. Also gives me the opportunity to consider the apps I currently have and do I want / need them on new one. Yes, that might mean reinserting the license numbers to purchased apps, but I'm okay with that.

It's also one of the reasons I do removable local backups of folders I create that do not rely on any proprietary software - by Apple or anyone else. Documents, Music, Video, Photos, etc. They need only be copied over to the new User folder. I choose how to access them thereafter.

As far as, say, Mail - are you sure your stuff is 'On My Mac' and not in outside services like Gmail / Outlook, etc?
If the latter, re-enabling these accounts on your new Mac should have them migrate over. If the former, I know I have done it in the past (copy to external drive, do the move, copy to new device), but I forget just offhand how. I'm sure a online search will pull up the procedure...

ADDENDUM: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mail/mlhlp1030/mac

 

[dcmaccam]

All sorted now. Decided to a clean install and all looking good, thanks.

 

[triumvirate]

Also gives me the opportunity to consider the apps I currently have and do I want / need them on new one.

This alone is why I always set up as a new Mac. It is a nice pause and reflection time to see which apps/settings I truly use and which were just FOMO bloatware. It is easy enough to store all the important things on an external SSD and transfer them over that way.

 

[dizmonk]

This alone is why I always set up as a new Mac. It is a nice pause and reflection time to see which apps/settings I truly use and which were just FOMO bloatware. It is easy enough to store all the important things on an external SSD and transfer them over that way.

Completely agree. In part, because Apple's made internal storage upgrades so expensive, I try to limit the apps/stuff I need on the internal drive.

 

[AppleForeverandEver]

I don’t load a lot of junk on my computers, just what is needed. I use migration from my desktop to my new laptop. I don’t have time to start from new. Migration works great and when done all is familiar and ready to work.