Reading and copying files between two MacBook Pros

[theMouthPiece]

Hi All

I have obtained a nice additional MacBook Pro machine that has better spec than my current MBP and so I am trying to figure out the best way to make use of the drives I own. One option - which avoids the need to purchase another new SSD - is to simply use the recently purchased SSD in my current MBP, into the newer one. I will eventually need to update the OS on that SSD as the OS on the machine it is on (MBP1) is ElCap and the OS on MBP2 is HS.

I plan on installing that SSD into the optical drive slot on MBP2, then updating it to HS and using that SSD as the master boot drive. However, I also have an additional 750GB HDD in the optical drive slot in MBP1 that I need the files from. I don't want to physically move the HDD from MBP1 to MBP2 as there is also a 750GB HDD already in MBP2.

I need to find a decent method to copy files from my 2nd additional internal HDD in MBP1, over to what will be the 2nd additional HDD in MBP2, and would like to do this by connecting the two machines together and transferring files across. Am I able to use an ethernet cable between the two Macs to accomplish this? or is there a better way?

All advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks all..

 

[Howard2k]

Capabilities have changed in this regard over the years. I would first find out which specific MacBook you have. You can go to the menu bar, click the Apple logo, and the About this Mac.

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201260

Please try that and let us know which specific models you have.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Do you have an EXTERNAL drive that is large enough to hold everything?

That would make the job much easier.

What KIND of files will you be moving?
Apps?
or... data files?

This could even be done with a USB flash drive, if you're willing to make "more than one trip" between the two Macs.

 

[theMouthPiece]

Capabilities have changed in this regard over the years. I would first find out which specific MacBook you have. You can go to the menu bar, click the Apple logo, and the About this Mac.

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201260

Please try that and let us know which specific models you have.

The newer one I have is a MacBook Pro 2.9GHz i7 running High Sierra.
[doublepost=1534776698][/doublepost]

OP:

Do you have an EXTERNAL drive that is large enough to hold everything?

That would make the job much easier.

What KIND of files will you be moving?
Apps?
or... data files?

This could even be done with a USB flash drive, if you're willing to make "more than one trip" between the two Macs.

This is exactly what occurred to me after I posted originally!!! ha!

So, my plan now is finalised. I have ordered a new 250GB SSD though, makes the job easier, and would make the earlier Mac easier to sell.

I am clearing the files off HDD in MBP1, onto external media that I can then connect to HDD in MBP2.

I am going to clone the 500GB SSD in the MBP1 to the new 250GB SSD, then use the 250GB SSD to replace the 500GB SSD, then use the 500GB SSD in my newer MBP. If that makes sense!