Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What’s best for this, a Time Machine backup restore, or starting fresh and backing up to an HD?

F

flyersman

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 24, 2011
18
0
Hey guys,

Ive had a 2016 MB Pro for awhile now. I do a lot of Work and business on it and have 40+ tabs open. It’s too slow for me, and I’m about full at 1TB HD.

I purchased a new MacBook with max processing power, RAM, and 2TB of space. My priority is machine speed. So I kind of want to start “fresh” on this new computer, use it new, and have a backup of ALL my files from my old computer on an external hard drive, I can easily connect to my new device and search for relevant files when needed.

I’m wondering, if that makes the most sense, or if I should simply restore it as a time machine backup. My worry here is immediately porting over 1TB of data on my 2 TB new MacBook, will it not be as “fresh” and run slow? Or does it make no difference and this is the best option?

I am leaning towards running it as new, and being able to connect to an external HD and search for relevant files as I need them via spotlight. Where eventually I’ll just keep the external HD as a backup in my desk drawer, as my MacBook will have all it needs. If I do this, what’s the best external HD to use, and what method is the best to back it up where I can easily connect to it and search for file names I need?

Thanks!
 
"Ive had a 2016 MB Pro for awhile now. I do a lot of Work and business on it and have 40+ tabs open. It’s too slow for me, and I’m about full at 1TB HD."

My observation and prediction:
The reason your MBP is "too slow for you" is because you have too much stuff open at once.

I'll bet after you go through the rigamarole of reinstalling "fresh", you're going to open up all that stuff again... and it will SLOW RIGHT BACK DOWN again, too.
 
Fishrrman said:
"Ive had a 2016 MB Pro for awhile now. I do a lot of Work and business on it and have 40+ tabs open. It’s too slow for me, and I’m about full at 1TB HD."

My observation and prediction:
The reason your MBP is "too slow for you" is because you have too much stuff open at once.

I'll bet after you go through the rigamarole of reinstalling "fresh", you're going to open up all that stuff again... and it will SLOW RIGHT BACK DOWN again, too.
Click to expand...
Well yes, that is why. But I had stock RAM and Processors. I need to have numerous windows open to work, so this new computer has the largest possibile ram and processing power.

I’m just wondering if I restore as a time machine if immediately filling half the hard drive will “hurt” the “fresh” new computer and slow it down, and prefer to backup all files to an external Hd if there’s any chance of that, where I can just connect it, search the file name and bring it over. And if so what kind of backup is best for that?
 
pshufd said:
I always install fresh on a new machine and then copy over programs and data. I accumulate too much crap between upgrades.
Click to expand...
Is there a certain way I should backup to my External Hd? A bootable clone? Time machine? Literally just drag “Macintosh HD” to the drive? What’s best, and what’s a good fast External HD you’d recommend? It’s 1 TB so don’t wanna have it be a slow drive.
 
flyersman said:
Is there a certain way I should backup to my External Hd? A bootable clone? Time machine? Literally just drag “Macintosh HD” to the drive? What’s best, and what’s a good fast External HD you’d recommend? It’s 1 TB so don’t wanna have it be a slow drive.
Click to expand...

My Approach:

  • Install clean on the new system
  • Copy the Apps from the old system to an external drive, Flash or SSD
  • Copy the Apps from the external drive to the new system
  • Copy the data from the old system to an external drive
  • Copy the data from the external drive to the new system
I sometimes use iCloud drive for this as well. I usually don't copy all of the Applications and Data at the same time. I can also just download a lot of the software too.
 
Personally, I strongly prefer a fresh install of the OS and a fresh install of the applications followed by using either a clone of the older system or Target Disk Mode to transfer applicable files, for both space efficiency and performance.
 
ght56 said:
Personally, I strongly prefer a fresh install of the OS and a fresh install of the applications followed by using either a clone of the older system or Target Disk Mode to transfer applicable files, for both space efficiency and performance.
Click to expand...

I am generally two versions behind the released version so it's a bit more of a headache to get versions that won't install on the -2 version. But I'd generally agree on downloading the latest from the App Store if possible.
 
ght56 said:
Personally, I strongly prefer a fresh install of the OS and a fresh install of the applications followed by using either a clone of the older system or Target Disk Mode to transfer applicable files, for both space efficiency and performance.
Click to expand...
Yeah I’m going to start fresh out the box. Any External HD recommended to transfer and hold at least 1TB fast? And do I clone it through disk utility or some program? I just want to do it in a way that’s best when I connect the external to my computer I can easily search for certain files. Apps I will re install.
 
Using the fresh install will allow you to avoid a lot of legacy system files or old applications that may still exist but serve no purpose. I would avoid a restore and just transfer over what you need from the old drive.
 
flyersman said:
I’m just wondering if I restore as a time machine if immediately filling half the hard drive will “hurt” the “fresh” new computer and slow it down, and prefer to backup all files to an external Hd if there’s any chance of that, where I can just connect it, search the file name and bring it over. And if so what kind of backup is best for that?
Click to expand...

As far as disk capacity goes, as long as you have >20-30% free space there are no performance issues, depending on the drive type. A copy to a fresh disk can defrag the data, although that isn't as important as it used to be.

A wipe cleans out stuff that has accumulated over the years. The disadvantage is that

1. some applications with components in other directories will have to be reinstalled.

2. Applications which store data in other places (such as ~/Library/Application Support) will lose their data until you restore it. Finding where it is stored can be a problem.


If you do a wipe make sure you have at least 2 backups, one not Time Machine.

If you have a Carbon Copy Cloner image of your boot drive you can then use that to restore those files as needed.
 
flyersman said:
Yeah I’m going to start fresh out the box. Any External HD recommended to transfer and hold at least 1TB fast? And do I clone it through disk utility or some program? I just want to do it in a way that’s best when I connect the external to my computer I can easily search for certain files. Apps I will re install.
Click to expand...

If you are looking for speed, any external SSD with 10 Gbps USB will get the job done. Program-wise, I have used Carbon Copy Cloner to create clones, but you could also just do it manually with a click and drag if you are just transferring your user files over. Alternatively, if you have a TB3 cable, you can use Target Disk Mode.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back