Start fresh vs data migration

[slicktor]

Just wondering for all those getting new MacBook pros. Do you opt for a brand new fresh start or do you restore from a backup you had?

Is it true that starting fresh is the best way? do you even notice a difference when you restore from your old laptop?

 

[Audit13]

I have done both and haven't noticed any difference when restoring to the same MacBook or a similar model.

 

[matram]

Last time a took an ”in-between” approach using the migration tool to select what data to migrate. Installing the apps by hand.

 

[maflynn]

I generally opt for a fresh install and only migrate my data when setting up a new computer.

 

[craigc_]

I've gone fresh install lately because a lot of my data is either in the cloud or stored on external hard drives and I just like starting new on a new machine. All my documents are stored in iCloud so I can use Finder to access them on my Mac, and Files.app on iOS. Media (downloaded music/tv/movies) and other data are stored on external hard drives that get backed up through my Mac mini daily. My photos are all synced through iCloud and my music is either AM or on the external drives. Most apps I just go through my purchase history on the MAS to download them as many are available there. The hardest part is installing Adobe CC apps or getting all my Homebrew stuff setup but that usually doesn't take more than an hour or so.

 

[Sterkenburg]

If I'm migrating to an identical machine (e.g. because I get a swap from the one I have), I restore.
If I'm getting a new Mac model, it usually means it's been a few years since I last started fresh, so I only transfer my data and reinstall what I need from scratch.

 

[pshufd]

I always do a clean install as I install and de-install stuff and sometimes I forget. It's pretty to move stuff over by drag and drop and an external SSD drive. I suspect that I accumulate video and audio files here and there that never get cleaned up.

 

[chabig]

I migrate because it's so much easier. Clean installs take a lot of planning and time, so I only do that if my MacBook is exhibiting bad behavior.

 

[Fishrrman]

I don't use "the cloud", so if I want to bring my data with me, it has to be "migrated" -- either with setup assistant or "by hand"...

 

[rosyapple]

Normally I use the setup assistant when I migrate within the same OS version (from High Sierra to High Sierra). If not, I'm starting fresh just to be safer (from High Sierra to Catalina).

 

[jerryk]

I just boot up the system and load a few basic apps. Then copy over data the apps use. If find about 50% of the stuff I have on a system I used only once, so no need to bring it over to the new system.

 

[Madhatter32]

I think I have been restoring from my original 540c backup since 2004. I should probably do a clean install for my next machine. The bloat must be immense. I never had a problem restoring from a backup.

 

[starzebra]

The last three computers I've had, I've migrated data over which means I've been migrating data since the computer I had when I was ~13. As I'm 25 now, I decided to not migrate anything this time. I've got thousands of files that not even quarantine boredom can convince me to go through. I'm in grad school now and my life mostly revolves around a few dozen files 🙃 If I need a file and can't get it out of the cloud I'll get it off my old computer or (once the hd on that fails completely) from the back up.

 

[slicktor]

Interesting to hear everyones experiences. I always wondered if it was a myth that you have to do a clean install if you want your new MacBook to be running at its best. I guess the differences may be too small to notice.

 

[edubfromktown]

I did a clean install back with Mojave and migrated data then also did a clean Catalina install (to troubleshoot and Adobe issue). No difference.